[dash_treg]

I have been driving with a check engine light on since November 20th. I had a local shop check the code and it came back as the CAT converter which I had fully replaced in October. They reset the light and it came back on (same code). I took it to the dealer this morning with the check engine light still on. They just called to say it was an evap leak and a loose gas cap was the culprit. They also say when they got in the check engine light was not on. The gas cap warning light was never displayed.

This sounds fishy to me but I defer to the more knowledgeable folks on this board as to whether this is outside the realm of possibility or did the dealer take my $98 and reset the light? They are going to show me some paperwork but I assume this can be fudged?

I have little experience with this dealer (Rey Reece of Portland, Oregon) and while I am not a conspiracy theorist I cannot afford a dishonest dealer.

Does the VAG-COM I read about display fault codes?

Many thanks,

 

[Yeti]

Yes the VagCom does read fault codes. Well worth the money if you ask me.

 

[pattyt]

I just came from my vw garage. My 04 had the same thing going on. The garage said I needed a new converter, and recommended I go to the dealership in the same town because it would be covered under warranty. So, off I went to the dealership. They ran the test and reported that I do not, in fact, need a new converter. Just a computer software update. The software update will take care of the converter warning light. I don't know who to believe!

 

[18347]

The catalytic converter, IIRC, is covered under the emissions warranty which is mandated by law. They generally last a long time. I would suspect that the software update is legit, unless the code comes back.

 

[ReflexGTI]

The software update is likely the case. My Audi A6 Avant also had an overly sensitive post cat O2 sensor that triggered a light everytime it thought the cat was under efficiency. There was a software update and it fixed the problem. The car never had any issues passing emissions testing.

Steve