CEL codes-Help!

[zakattack95]

Well, my wife just got her car back today from the shop here in Dallas. It threw two codes....P0420 and P1142. So, they replaced the mass air meter and a vacuum hose. I had replaced both O2 sensors about a month ago. So, they cleared all the codes, but tonight the CEL came on again. The only code was P0420. I don't feel like throwing more money and parts at the darn thing. I can fix it if I knew exactly what was wrong.
Can anyone help me? I bought the O2 sensors from a VW parts place. Is it possible that they are bad already?
My wife is ready to throw in the towel and get a humdrum Honda.

Thanks for any help,
Chuck
P.S. The code says that the bank 1 catalyst efficiency is below threshhold...whatever that means. I'm assuming the O2 sensor before the catalytic converter. How's this possible when I just replaced it?

[SilverSportNOLA]

I think the front one is bank 0 .... the one in front of the cat adjusts fuel ... the one after is the only one that would measure the efficiency of the cat. I guess you replaced both of them from the sound of it. The Bentley only says replace catalyst for that one. So if it isn't the cat, you may have contaminated the sensor when you put it in. How many miles are on the car? And don't look at the dealer for a replacement, at least until you have found a few that are cheaper.

[zakattack95]

The car has 92,000 miles on it. So, do you think I should buy another O2 sensor that comes after the catalytic converter or maybe replace the cat. converter itself? Maybe, I just got a defective one. My wife loves her Beetle, so I'm trying my best to find out how to fix it. The car runs great and still gets the same gas mileage it always has...it's just that darn CEL light.

Thanks,
Chuck

[SilverSportNOLA]

At that mileage you are close to the average life of the Cat ... I would get someone to put a tailpipe sniffer in it and see if it is within range or not before putting any money for either the Cat or Sensor. If you were under 80000 miles you would still be within the emissions warranty.

[dolphinsfan1966]

sorry i'm just jumping in here, but i have an 01 with the SAME EXACT problem, bank 1 and everything, just bought the car yesterday and tongiht the check engine light came on, brought it down to checker and pulled the p0420....well my car has 67000 miles on it so it may be just inside the warranty, but the thing is, can i just bring the car down to the local vw dealer, or do i have to jump through hoops to try and get the original warranty transfered into my name
any help is with much thanks
joe

[speedie]

Originally Posted by dolphinsfan1966

sorry i'm just jumping in here, but i have an 01 with the SAME EXACT problem, bank 1 and everything, just bought the car yesterday and tongiht the check engine light came on, brought it down to checker and pulled the p0420....well my car has 67000 miles on it so it may be just inside the warranty, but the thing is, can i just bring the car down to the local vw dealer, or do i have to jump through hoops to try and get the original warranty transfered into my name
any help is with much thanks
joe

The warranty is a blanket emissions warranty that covers most car makes/models. I believe the cut-off is 70k miles, but that may be for the MAF. Do a Google search and you will find the name of the regulation. You may want to call a local VW place and inquire about bringing it in under the emissions warranty.

[wawalker]

Sorry guys, but this thread has some incorrect info/advice. I've been through this issue start to finish. Check out this thread:

http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/show...d=1#post257886

[ilpotosino]

warranty? what does it mean??? hahaha just kidding VW Mexico doesnt know it