Codes? and how to fix?

[Noviisi]

Codes I found out are:

419B Secondary air injection system, too little penetration
412C x2 = Misfire Detected
412D x2 = Cyl.1 Misfire Detected
40AC = Fuel Trim,Bank1 System too Rich
408D Heating of Lambda/02 sensor, electrical failure (bank 1, sensor 2)
408C Lambda/02 sensor - no singnal (bank 1, sensor 2)
045B unknown error

Auts, many codes....

Symptoms have been these:
- unsteady idle (you can feel it)
- car doesn't accelerate smoothly (this is mostly with 1000-2500 rpm), acceleration is sort of pumpy (there seems to be little breaks in it)

So, what is the diagnosis and what is the cure?

Help needed!

[hannaco]

The Lambda sensor it the same as the O2 sensor. You will find one before and one after the catalytic converter. That can cause the problems with idle and acceleration. Also might be the cause of the 40AC error code.
Check your air filter.
When was the last time the MAF was cleaned or replaced? The MAF can also cause the 40AC error.
Misfires are usually related to bad spark plugs, and the spark plug wires. When was the last time they were changed?

[Noviisi]

Thanks hannaco!

So, you think that the problem might be caused by:

a) 02 sensor(s). Is there a way to know which one?
- does it seem that it's gone dead or is it just malfunctioning?
--> do thay replace these in the service? Mine has 87 000 kilomiters.

b) MAF sensor. I really don't know if the MAF was ever replaced of cleaned... I guess I could try to clean it. What is the symptoms if the MAF is broken or not working as it should?

c) Air filter. How can I check it?

d) Spark plugs & wires. I think I'm going to get these changed first. Let's see if misfires and mayby acceleration broblem goes away.
--> are these problems related? = can there be just one thing wrong that causes all these? Or do I have many problems?

- I really want to get out of this "rich condition". I've heard that it can really hurt my car if I keep driving too rich.

Help still needed! But I start by changing the plugs and wires.

[hannaco]

The MAF sensor can be cleaned by spraying VW MAF cleaner on the sensor. Do NOT touch the sensor with your hands. To see if it is dead, just unplug it and drive around for a couple of km. If the car runs better, the MAF is suspect.

To check the air filter, open up the air box. It is held closed by two screws. The screws do not come all the way out. Once the top opens up, remove the air filter. Hold it up to the light. Can you see the light? No? time to change it.

The MAF would be the one common problem. If it is out of spec, the motor can run rich, which can cause the lambda reading to be off, which can feedback to the ECU and cause running problems. Salt from the roads in winter if it gets onto the motor can cause running problems.

As a starting point, look at the MAF and, then the spark plugs and wires.
Then clear the codes to see if the problems have been fixed. I do not know about Finnish laws, but here the O2 (lambda) sensors are covered to 125 KM.

What part of Finland are you located?

[hannaco]

Just an FYI for anyone that runs into European codes. They are in HEX, and ours are in decimal.
For example the code 40AC is hex for:
16556- P0172
Fuel Trim,Bank1 System too Rich.

[Noviisi]

Originally Posted by hannaco

Just an FYI for anyone that runs into European codes. They are in HEX, and ours are in decimal.
For example the code 40AC is hex for:
16556- P0172
Fuel Trim,Bank1 System too Rich.

Can I change my european codes somewhere to U.S. codes? Is there a www page or something to help with this? Thanks.

I changed my plugs and wires and now my car accelerates normally.
So the bigger broblem is solved.
But.... Idle is still somewhat unsteady. It's little better now but still not as smooth as it should. So, I quess that I'm going to clean the MAF next.

Is cleaning the MAF easy? Do I need to take the whole airbox off? I'm going to buy some spray that can clean it.
If you know a "how to do it" -link, I would appreciate it.

I live in city of Tampere which is southern Finland.
(But my Beetle has spent most of its life in Germany)

[hannaco]

To clean the MAF:
1) loosen the clamp, and remove the flex hose from the MAF
2) unscrew the two screws that hold the MAF to the side of the air box
3) pull the MAF from the side of the air box using a twisting motion
4) if you have a security star bit you can remove the sensor from the carrier. If not, then just spray the cleaner onto the sensor inside of the carrier.
Be sure and use either the VW MAF cleaner or another MAF cleaner. Others can leave a film on the sensor causing it to not work correctly.
5) put things back the way you found them.

If you are using a Windows based computer you can convert from HEX to decimal using the calculator. Just click on View, then click on scientific. That changes the way the calculator looks. Then click on Hex, and enter the code. Then click on Dec and read the decimal equivalent. Use that number to find the problem in the DTC code section at the top of this forum.

After the MAF is cleaned, check the condition of the throttle body for dirt and gum.