[her_bugslave]

Hi everyone! Newcomer here and I was hoping if any of you could help me out with this dilemma.

My girlfriends car is a 2002 New Beetle GLX 1.8 Turbo and two days ago right when I got off the freeway, the dreaded CHECK ENGINE light came on. After I dropped her to work I took it to a nearby pep-boys and asked if they could run a code check for me.

The only thing that popped up was a "too lean" code. I couldn't exactly tell you what the code # was, but I am pretty sure it was an aftermarket reader.

So far the car runs totally fine. I have checked for cosmetic wear on vacuum lines, but haven't had much time for anything else because of school and work.

Could it be O2 or MAF sensor? Any help or advice would be deeply appreciated. Thanks for your time.

 

[SixChuter]

Where are you located? Hopefully someone here is close to you and may have a Vag-Com you could use. An actual code # would really help.

 

[Smileybug]

Even the generic readers will give a code number. Go and get the code pulled again and post it here. It will help us a lot.

 

[esse10]

engine light

It's running fine? okay easy fix.....get a piece of black electrical tape & cover the light, problem solved done..LOL
Just kidding. it could be a vacuum leak or MAF sensor intermittent, it could be a dirty throttle body valve. I would reset the code and reset the battery too, after a few cold starts it should smooth out and see if that code comes back. Did y'all by any chance have a change in weather up there? then there is your answer-changes in atmospheric pressures and temperatures the main CPU was suppose to make adjustments auto for proper gas/air mix and some how did not, could be a dirty throttle body valve. Too lean means too much air per gas mixure. Good luck man and welcome to new beetle.org

 

[her_bugslave]

It was P0171.

 

[her_bugslave]

haha if only that were true, but I guess they're called "dummy lights" for a reason. Actually, that you mention it, the weather did change and rather drastically. 110-70 degrees Farenheit to be exact. Surprisingly it ran as it was before the light came on.

Within the last 2 months I had to change the auxiliary water pump, pcv hose, and alternator. When I worked on the alternator I had to take the throttle body off to reach it and even then it was a tight fit. I inspected the piece and it wasn't that bad. I wiped any excess dirt off and didn't use any cleaners so I didn't mess with the sensor. I'll give it a try, but if I reset the battery wont it affect the (monsoon) head unit's security code? Thanks.

Oh and more thing lol. The motor has 102K miles on it. She got it at 80K 3-4 years ago.

 

[Smileybug]

I hope the timing belt has been changed. If not, but that on the list to do ASAP!

Here is some info on the code: 16555/P0171/000369 - Ross-Tech Wiki

I'd check the MAF out.

 

[esse10]

throttle body

haha if only that were true, but I guess they're called "dummy lights" for a reason. Actually, that you mention it, the weather did change and rather drastically. 110-70 degrees Farenheit to be exact. Surprisingly it ran as it was before the light came on.

Within the last 2 months I had to change the auxiliary water pump, pcv hose, and alternator. When I worked on the alternator I had to take the throttle body off to reach it and even then it was a tight fit. I inspected the piece and it wasn't that bad. I wiped any excess dirt off and didn't use any cleaners so I didn't mess with the sensor. I'll give it a try, but if I reset the battery wont it affect the (monsoon) head unit's security code? Thanks.

Oh and more thing lol. The motor has 102K miles on it. She got it at 80K 3-4 years ago.

I think you found your answer. Mine did the same thing when I cleaned the MAF sensor & the throttle body , it threw a too lean code and ran kinda rough for a few cold starts than it smooth out after 4-5 days, I am not sure about the radio code cause mine is not affected when I reset the battery. Maybe somebody else in here can help u with that. MORE importantly is to replace that timing belt/water pump & pulleys or find out from the previuos owner if he did it at 80k interval. I would hate for you to lose the whole engine if that timing belt/water pump go's bad on you. good luck man

 

[her_bugslave]

Thank you esse10 and everyone else that has made their input. I bought it at a Mercedes dealership and I believe the previous owner changed the timing belt around 60k. I will have to look at the Carfax report to be sure. I was going to change the timing belt eventually when I replaced the pulleys, injectors, spark plugs, and valve replacement/timing.

 

[esse10]

good ending

You welcome and glad u got your beetle back on the road. :goodjob:

 

[Gizmo]

Cel ?

My daughter just bought a 2002 1.8T with 102k miles and the same code lit. It was running fine. I took off the plastic engine cover. The large t-shaped vent hose from the valve cover to the turbo intake hose was butter soft and ripped open by the valve cover. Bypassing air around the MAF = lean.