If you have a Volkswagen car, unfortunately, it is a very high probability to see a check engine light on the dashboard. And maybe it is the most feared thing in the car communities. If you are seeing the Volkswagen check engine light on the dashboard on the screen, here you can find the most common and comprehensive information about this situation.
Why the Volkswagen Check Engine Light is On?
There are various kinds of reasons for it. And knowing about these general problems and general fixes for them makes you more comfortable with how to treat your car.
Loose Gas Cap
The loose gas cap is one of the most common problems with the Volkswagen check engine light in general. If the gas cap is not fitted properly, you will see a check engine light on the dashboard. What you need to do is, just make sure that you fit the cap thoroughly into the hole. After that, the light will off.
And we wish that you have only this problem with your car. Because there is no need to pay money or repair your car.
If your relatives or loved ones have a Volkswagen car, you can make a little joke about it 🙂 You can loosen the gas cap and make the Volkswagen check engine light open. And if the owner of that car sees that the check engine light is on the dashboard, he or she will be shocked. But do not hold the joke for long righten the gas cap and say that you make a joke 🙂
Problems with Oxygen Sensor
Also if you have a problem with your oxygen sensor, the Volkswagen check engine light will be on. The general duty of the oxygen sensor is to provide information about the amount of oxygen in the exhaust fumes to the car ECU system. And car ECU system can adjust the optimum amount of fuel with the air-fuel mixture to provide the best amount of mixture to the car engines. And the optimum ignition and burn take place.
But if there is a problem with the oxygen sensor, you will feel it as a performance loss in the car engine. Because the ECU system can not adjust the optimum level of fuel. Also, misfires can be the other reason for faulty oxygen sensors. You will hear unusual sounds coming from your engine.
Fix for Oxygen Sensor of Volkswagen Cars
The real problem can be different for the oxygen sensors. The main problem can be the cable connections between the sensor and the battery. And also there can be problems with the cable connections between the sensors and ECU. So, you need to bring your car to the Volkswagen service to change the faulty cable. This will cost around $50-$100.
Also, the general problem can be because of the carbon buildup on the sensor. The place of sensor is right after the catalytic converter. And if you are familiar with car mechanics, removing the oxygen sensor is very easy for you. You just need to lift the car thoroughly with a hydraulic or mechanic jack. And locate the oxygen sensor. After that rip off the fasteners with a basic wrench or screwdriver set. And then remove the cable connections. If you see a very black carbon buildup at the edge of the sensor, you can clean this section properly. There are different fuels that you can apply according to the instructions to clean the carbon buildup.
Also changing the oxygen sensor with the new one can cost around $350-$500 according to the OEM or aftermarket parts including the labor costs.
Problems with Mass Air Flow Sensor
This is another reason for the Volkswagen check engine light. The mass air flow sensor is a very important part that provides sth information on the amount of mass air flow from the air intake duct to the ECU. So, the ECU can adjust the proper amount of fuel with the information of it and the oxygen sensor.
So if there is a problem with the MAF sensor, you will feel the same symptoms as the oxygen sensor problem.
Also, there can be a problem with the cable connections that prevent the working of the MAF sensor.
Fixes
In general, changing the MAF sensor is not easy as the oxygen sensor. We recommend you take your car to a Volkswagen service. And if there is a problem with the mass air flow sensor, the general costs will be $400 – $500 according to the part is aftermarket or OEM including the labor costs.
Also if there is a problem with the cable connections with the battery and ECU, changing the problematic cable will cost around $50-$100.
Problem with Thermostat
The thermostat in your Volkswagen car engine is a very important part that measures the temperature of the engine. And sends this information to the cooling system to prevent the engine from overheating. So, it is a very important part.
If you have a problem with the thermostat of the car, your engine will probably overheat. In this case, you should not drive your car in this state. Because you will harm your engişne much more because of the very high temperatures.
Changing thermostats can be high in price. Because it requires an important amount of labor. And also the OEM parts are high in price. Changing the thermostat with a new one can cost around $500-$1000.
Problems with Spark Plugs
Also, you can have problems with the spark plugs of the Volkswagen check engine light is on. The spark plugs are responsible for the ignition of the fuel inside the car engine. They provide an electrical spark to the cylinder to burn the air-fuel mixture.
All the cylinders in an engine have one spark plug. And if you have an individual spark plug problem, you will feel it as an engine performance loss. Because one of the cylinders will not produce power.
Also if all the spark plugs are not working in an engine, the problem can be the distributor of the car. Because all the cables of the spark plugs are connected to the distributor of the car. And if there is a problem with this party the spark plugs will not work. And the car engine will suddenly stop. Or you can not start the engine.
Fixing the Problem of Spark Plugs
If there is a problem with one spark plug, the service can change with a new one. the spark plug replacement can cost around $100 including labor costs.
But if you have a problem with the distributor of your car, the cost will be around $300. The aftermarket distributors of Volkswagen engines can cost up to $100 or the OEM parts can cost up to $200.
Also, you can have problems with the cable connections of the spark plugs or the distributor. Changing one cable can cost around $50-$75.
Ignition Coil in Diesel Engines
The ignition coil must heat before starting the engine to make the diesel engine start in cold environments. Once you open the electrical system of your car with the key, you will see the ignition coil symbol on the dashboard. And once this symbol goes off, you can start the engine without any cold start effect. The heat on the coil helps to ignite the diesel fuel easily.
But f you have a problem with the ignition coil of your Volkswagen diesel engine, it will be very hard to start the engine. Or the engine will not start in a cold environment.
Fix
The Volkswagen service will check the cable connections of the ignition coil. Because it is directly connected to the battery. You know the general price so the cable change.
But if you have a problem with the coil itself, all the costs will be around $250-$300.
So these are the general problems that you can face if you see the check engine light on the dashboard of yoru car.
What If the Volkswagen Check Engine Light is Blinking?
Also, you need to know that if the Volkswagen check engine light is blinking, you need to pullover the car to a safe place immediately. Because you have a big problem with your engine. After that, call a tow truck to bring your car to the nearest Volkswagen service.
Also, we do not recommend you drive with the check engine light on. Because you can have minimal problems with your engine as we stated above. But, if you drive with that minimal problems you can have much more serious problems with the other parts. And this will cost much higher to repair.
Last Words on Volkswagen Check Engine Light
These are the general things that we can state about the Volkswagen check engine light. You can see the general causes and the general solutions to this problem. Also, you have rough estimations of the costs of the replacements and repairs.
These are the general things that we can state about this topic. If you leave your comments and questions below, we will try to help you.
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FAQs
There can be different reasons for it. The most common cause of the loose gas cap. And also other problems are; problems with spark plugs and ignition systems, sensors, problems with fuel supply systems, and electrical systems. So it will be very good if you bring your car to a Volkswagen service immediately.
It depends on the problem that you have. But while you are driving and you know that the check engine light is on, you do not know the real cause of this problem. So, the problem can cause many worst problems if you continue to drive. For example, you have a very basic oxygen sensor cable damage problem. But you ignored it and drive your car. After a while, your engine cylinder system will have bad problems that will increase the cost of repair.
The most common reason is generally the problems with the sensors. And you will feel it as a performance loss from your engine.
No, it is not OK. Because you do not know the cause of this light on. And the problem can be very serious and make worsen the real problem that you have. It will be much better to bring your car instead of driving with the check engine light on.
Maybe the lid of the gas cap is loosened. And the check engine light is on because of that reason. But bring your car to a mechanic or service to diagnose the real problem.
Depends on the problem. If you feel performance loss or sounds from the different portions of your car, drive to a service. But if you do not hear or feel something unusıual and you have a rush, you can ignore it only for one time. But again take your car to a mechanic!
References
The Volkswagen Online Owner’s Manual – Vwserviceandparts.com
The Ultimate Guide to Vw Service and Maintenance – Autohaussocial
