Re: Check Engine light

[Daniel Isaac <isa@philabs.research.philips.com>]

Hi Matt and thanks for the help,
I was wondering what a 'driving cycle' is.  I have driven the car a few
times already
but not very far and the light is still on.  I am going try the spray
bottle.  This 
sounds like you are right since it was raining when it happened.
Again thanks for the help.
Dan
Matt Zajac wrote:
> 
> 'Engine Check' light a.k.a. MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) will reset itself after 2 complete 'driving cycles' and in some instances (say the light was blinking or same failure occurred multiple times) it would write failure code to your computer's memory, that can be cleared only using a ODB2 scanner. If you guys want to I can post a pretty good article about ODB2, it will have to be an attachment because it's pretty long (9 pages).
> >From your description it sounds like you have either bad spark plug, spark plug wire or coilpack, which causes engine to misfire (Very rough running). When you have bad (cracked) wire or coilpack and when it gets a little moisture, it starts to shoot spark between a crack in a wire (or pack) to the 'ground' which would be most likely  your engine. What you can do to find it, you can take a spray bottle (like empty Windex bottle) fill it with water and in the evening (or in dark garage) start the engine and spray a little water on the pack and cables. If they're faulty almost immediately you will see an electrical spark shooting either between the wires or to the engine which means that there is a crack in insulation and you need to replace bad part.
> KEEP IN MIND THAT IT IS A HIGH VOLTAGE
> Although it won't kill you it gives you very unpleasant shock.
> Before you start working on it turn off the engine and let it dry for a little bit.
> I hope it would help you like it helped me....
>   Cheers
> 
> Matt Z.
> 
> >>> Daniel Isaac <isa@philabs.research.philips.com> 01/11 6:52 AM >>>
> Yesterday after work my Jetta was running VERY rough and the check
> engine light came on. 

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