Check Engine Light - Solid

[Seacoasttdi]

My CEL came on during the commute home yesterday. After consulting with the dealer on an appointment to have it looked at I was advised that since it is on solid and not blinking that I can continue to use the car without a problem until the day of my appointment. Does this sound right?

Thanks,

 

[nord]

In a word... Yes!

All the same it will grind on you until you know the cause. VagCom will be your friend.

 

[mnelsonx]

A blinking CEL is a definite stop and tow, most times it wouldn't keep going anyway. Solid CEL means you can drive it to the dealer instead of having it towed.

Solid could be a lot of things, none of them catastrophic failure, so the risk is fairly low (but not zero). Personally I wouldn't plan for any long trips, but maybe an errand wouldn't be an issue. The biggest thing is that you won't know until you can read the code, so there is some small amount of risk.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Generally that is correct, although it depends on how far away your appointment is and how many miles you plan on driving between now and then. It also depends on what the problem actually is.

 

[psd1]

Hmmm, my closest dealership is 90 miles away. Do the new Snap On type readers work on VW these days?

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Hmmm, my closest dealership is 90 miles away. Do the new Snap On type readers work on VW these days?

They will scan whatever a generic OBD reader scans, which is the engine control module and not much else (same thing a ScanGauge or your local auto parts store will tell you). Is there nobody close to you with VCDS who you can meet up with?

 

[psd1]

They will scan whatever a generic OBD reader scans, which is the engine control module and not much else (same thing a ScanGauge or your local auto parts store will tell you). Is there nobody close to you with VCDS who you can meet up with?

I don't need VCDS or a scan right now, no lights. I was just curious as my mechanic has a Snap On reader and is close.

 

[Seacoasttdi]

Took the car to the dealer, the software update took care of the light. The code related to the light was a Nox sensor fault. Code # p220100, They performed software update 23N5 and alll is good. They changed the auto blink to 4 blinks but told me they could not turn off the bulb saver.

I told them the headlights are my least favorite thing on this car. Strangely I was given a Jetta SE gasser and the headlights were far better.

At least the headlight recall got done also but they are still candles.

 

[tdiatlast]

Seacoasttdi: have you tried raising the aim of the headlights?

 

[Seacoasttdi]

Now that the headlight recall is done I will be doing that along with a bulb change.

 

[tdiatlast]

Do the raising first. I increased voltage, tried a 65w Osram, and saw no difference over OEM.

 

[Spyke]

Seacoasttdi, i didn't like the headlight either so I just changed the bulbs. I went from OEM to PIAA extreme white or pure white, I don't remember exactly, but it made a HUGE difference.

Then, I changed the voltage but didn't see any benefits so I left it to factory voltage.