disconnecting battery?

[songsay]

is it ok to unplug the battery?

the repair manual says no.
i dont understand why.

i got a check engine light suddenly.
on my mitsubishi i have a palm pilot i can hook up to it to tell me what the code is. its obd I, but this one is obdII and i wonder if it clears when i disconnect it and connect it back.

[CGK]

Disconnecting the battery will not harm anything. You will need to have the code for your radio though. Once disconnected it will go into "SAFE" mode and the only way you can get it work is to put the correct code in. If you don't have the code, bring your car to a dealer and they can look it up for ya.
As far as clearing the CEL, just disconnecting and reconnecting the battery will not usually clear a DTC. I would strongly recommend having your car scanned by someone with VagCom, or by an auto parts store that may be able to do it. Use a dealer as a last resort since they will charge you $$$ just to scan it.

Good Luck

[Beetlescott]

Thats a great idea.

[gforce1108]

I would be more interested in finding out why the check engine light is on than in finding a way to clear it.

I know there are a couple TDIers up in Alaska and we tend to have VCDS (vag-com) more often than others. There's a vag-com locator sticky over there someplace on tdiclub.com. Down here many auto parts stores will scan your car for free and tell you the codes, but some will not clear it. Do you have an autozone nearby?

[songsay]

i have schucks, which is another branch of autozone. i suppose i could give them a call and find out.
and yes, last resort for stealership is always my motto.
i have been a mechanic as long as i can remebember,but when it comes to electronics, it isnt as simple as saying oh thats clearly broken.
if you guys know anyone uphere with a scanner, plaese send info.
i will check ot that tdi site.

thanks everyone

[gforce1108]

Here's the trusted mech by state link:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=130044
(only one in AK - http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=31074)

Here's info from one vag-com locator site:
http://vagcomlocator.com/tinc?key=cS...ormname=VAGCOM

Here's another:
http://anglo-hexon.net:88//beowulf9/...com/vagcom.asp

And the last one:
http://www.vagtoolfinder.com/locator.aspx

They are not all up to date, but hopefully one of them is close to you. It doesn't help you too much, but before I got my VCDS I bought a cheap OBDII scanner on ebay for about $30. Pulls and clears codes and it was well worth the money.