Why did THIS happen?

[AddToChaos]

Need some HELP here, please? As I was on the freeway going home about 1AM this morning, out of NO WHERE the Check Engine light comes on, something that's never happened before. My '04 TS has been running fine and I just had it smogged yesterday. My drive-home time was a total of 6-7 minutes from where I'd been and I was doing 80 MPH. Today I checked the oil, etc. before starting it up then when I did the light was on again. Does anyone have any idea about this and what other things can I check to see what might be causing it? Any suggestions/help with this mystery would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.

[dnyed]

Not tightened gas cap. Or, something more pressing. You will not know until you have it scanned.


A CEL pops up in mine, lasts a few days, then is gone for weeks. Can you tell me why?

[Smileybug]

You need to get the car scanned to find out. Any auto parts store will do it for you. Get the actual code (Pxxxx) and post up what it is.

[AddToChaos]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

You need to get the car scanned to find out. Any auto parts store will do it for you. Get the actual code (Pxxxx) and post up what it is.

Any auto parts store? How about the place where I had it smogged yesterday? They also handle repair, diagnostics, etc. Could they scan it there do you think? Thanks.

[Smileybug]

You'd have to ask them. Advanced, Autozone, etc will scan for free.

[AddToChaos]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

You'd have to ask them. Advanced, Autozone, etc will scan for free.

Great. I'll do that and see what they come back with. Thanks for the help.

[esse10]

These cars computers are very finicky and throw the check engine light all the time. My check engine light has been on and off for the last two years, everytime I fix the problem and reset the check engine light to have it come back in 6 months again for other issue's or the same code. Mine is mostly emissions issue's or codes.....not in my priority list if you know what I mean. hope it works out for ya and good luck.

[AddToChaos]

Originally Posted by esse10

These cars computers are very finicky and throw the check engine light all the time. My check engine light has been on and off for the last two years, everytime I fix the problem and reset the check engine light to have it come back in 6 months again for other issue's or the same code. Mine is mostly emissions issue's or codes.....not in my priority list if you know what I mean. hope it works out for ya and good luck.

Thanks for that info. I'm thinking it might be a 'fluke' or some such thing. I had it scanned and it came back with Code PO411 Secondary Air Injection Sytem Incorrect Flow Detected.? They checked all the hoses, connections, my short RAM system, etc. Everything was connected, nothing loose or malfunctioning. The printout they gave me says to Check the (AIR) Pump Motor-V101, (AIR) Solenoid Valve-N112, & Combi Valve. They reset the Check Engine light and said if it comes on again during regular driving in the next few days then there MUST be some issue that would need further checking rather than just the light coming on like how you mentioned it does in your car.
In any case, it'll be at the dealership tomorrow to certify that the P1 Recall issue has been fixed for my registration renewal so I'll run it by them while it's there. Maybe they can pinpoint the problem or ?...Thanks for your input and suggestions. I really appreciate the help.

[IndyTom]

SAI Pump. Those things do go out. The seals get old and blow out. The older ones you could fix but the newer ones have to be replaced.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-...ump/ES1876813/

[AddToChaos]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

SAI Pump. Those things do go out. The seals get old and blow out. The older ones you could fix but the newer ones have to be replaced.
Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Search > Air Pump > ES#1876813 Secondary Air Injection Pump - 06A959253B

Thanks for that suggestion. In checking the ECS site it states, "When the secondary air injection pump on your VW begins to fail, you get a loud whine on a cold start when it turns on. If you look at it, you can often see the aluminum rivets coming apart." I'm definitely NOT getting anything like that so not quite sure but will certainly mention it to VW tomorrow and have them take a look at it. : )

[IndyTom]

It doesn't always do a loud whine and all the new units don't even have rivets anymore. I don't know that ECS was smokin' when they wrote that.

[AddToChaos]

Originally Posted by IndyTom

It doesn't always do a loud whine and all the new units don't even have rivets anymore. I don't know that ECS was smokin' when they wrote that.

If that IS the case, must be some goooood Chronic!

[esse10]

Sorry I didn't get back to you last night, i got busy and then went to bed without checking my newbeetle.org. Anyway, looks like indytom helped you out.I second indytom on that the secondary pump's motor could have seized up on you. There is a thread in this forum on how to replace the pump yourself. I think ebay has those pumps for $120 or so. Mine makes a whinning noise at cold start I just ignore it and won't replace until it completely go's out. Sounds like your's the motor seized or the cambi valve did not open up or like an open hose somewhere's. Hope it works out for ya, good luck.

[Smileybug]

Here is some more info on the code:

16795/P0411/001041 - Ross-Tech Wiki
16795/P0411/001041 - Secondary Air Injection System: Incorrect Flow Detected
Possible Symptoms

Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) ON

Possible Causes

Fuel Pump Relay (J17) faulty
Hoses/Pipes to/between Components faulty/clogged
Secondary Air Injection Pump (V101) faulty
Secondary Air Injection Pump Relay (J299) faulty
Secondary Air Injection Solenoid Valve (N112) faulty

Possible Solutions

Check Fuel Pump Relay (J17)
Check Hoses/Pipes to/between Components
Check Secondary Air Injection Hoses/Pipes for Carbonization
Check Secondary Air Injection Pump (V101)
Check Secondary Air Injection Pump Relay (J299)
Check Secondary Air Injection Solenoid Valve (N112)

[AddToChaos]

Excellent, guys. Thanks very much for all the info. Actually, in talking to the dealer, he said, as the smog guy did, just to keep an eye on it and unless it comes on again in the few days or so, not to really worry about it. Dealer said that sometimes when it goes for smog and they have it hooked up and running hard (which they did) that can cause the light to come on. So, as at this point it has NOT come back on, I'm just going to let it go for now. Thanks again to everyone for their input and suggestions. I really appreciate all the help.