Engine codes, Suspect Mechanic( kind of long)

[captaionwoy]

My wife bought a 2003 New Beetle this past December. Included in the sale was free lifetime state inspections at the used car store's garage. A month ago we get the 2181 MIL code and replace the thermostat and engine coolant temp sensor. Code goes away. A few days later we get the 0411 code. I find a hose fell off, replace it, and the code goes away. I drive my wife's car to get inspected today and the MIL is not lit, nor has it been for the past couple weeks. They finish the inspection and tell me they put a 60 day sticker on for passing the safety inspection but failing the emissions test. They said the pulled a 0411 code and a 0420 code. They informed me that they suspect the catalytic converter and to drive the car to see if the MIL goes away.

Is it me, or does it seem pretty suspect that a MIL free car (for weeks) goes into a free inspection at a garage and comes out with two engine codes and the possible need for a cat. converter? Is there anything I could check that they may have done to trip the code in the short time they had it? Thanks for any responses.

[Smileybug]

Get the car scanned again. See if those codes pop up. Its also possible for the car to store codes and not throw the CEL, though the 420 code should throw a CEL (which most often does indicate a bad cat). How many miles? My cat just went out early this year with 90k on the car. They do fail.

Also, on clearing the codes, how much did you drive it? When you first clear the codes, the computer has to reset itself. Driving a certain number of miles or starting the car a certain number of times will do this and then if the problem isn't fixed, the light will come back. I had my CEL come on a mile from the inspection station once so its possible. I don't think I'd put blame on the station right away.

[Canadianbugin]

Sound's suspect to me... I would take the car some where else and have it scanned.!! Also be aware that a generic OBD2 scanner WILL NOT pick-up all VW engine codes.....

[captaionwoy]

Thanks for the replies thus far. The car has 67,xxx miles on it. I'm not throwing blame at the shop yet, but I found it very strange.

The previous 2181 was cleared by a shop I trusted about 2-3 weeks ago. The 0411 cleared after my wife drove the car for a couple weeks after I fixed the misplaced hose. She has been running CEL free for about two weeks. Now after the inspection, the CEL is on constantly.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by captaionwoy

Thanks for the replies thus far. The car has 67,xxx miles on it. I'm not throwing blame at the shop yet, but I found it very strange.

The previous 2181 was cleared by a shop I trusted about 2-3 weeks ago. The 0411 cleared after my wife drove the car for a couple weeks after I fixed the misplaced hose. She has been running CEL free for about two weeks. Now after the inspection, the CEL is on constantly.

You should really find someone in your area that can scan the car with a Vag-Com and post the codes you find... Generic scanners are not going to point you in the right direction...