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Volkswagen Jetta TDI: I have a 2009 Jetta tdi with 53000 miles

 
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  • Answered by:internal88
  • VW Mechanic
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Customer Question

I have a 2009 Jetta tdi with 53000 miles on it. we are on a road trip 1200 miles from home, and supposed to drive 250 miles today to spend the fourth in NYC with a friend. Yesterday evening the catalytic converter light came on, although in every other way the car is running fine. Is it dangerous to drive it a few more days before I see a mechanic? not sure I can find one on July 4th or anywhere in NYC easily

 

Country: United States
Make: Volkswagen
Model: Jetta TDI
Year: 2009

Already Tried:
nothing so far

Submitted: 275 days and 8 hours ago.
Category: VW
Value: $37
Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  internal88 replied 275 days and 8 hours ago.


internal88 : Hello and welcome
internal88 : I'm in nyc as well btw
Customer :

hello

internal88 : Is it dangerous to drive - NO
internal88 : The car won't break down or stall.
internal88 : I don't think any mechanic will open today.
Customer :

are there warning signs I should watch for? I have to drive from Utica ny to NYC (250 miles) and then to Ithaca NY (another 200) and really then to DC (360 miles) in the next few days. The question is do I rearrange my plans to get to a mechanic, or can I see one in DC on Mondays?

Customer :

Should I keep to a lower speed or change the way I drive in any way to protect health of the car?

internal88 : Are you seeing a checking engine light ON now
Customer :

No check engine, just the yellow catalytic converter light

internal88 : I would advise you to see a mechanic on Thursday.
Customer :

the car did smell a little funny when we got out of it the other day, before the light. More diesel smell than usual

internal88 : Just to make sure nothing obvious is going on.
internal88 : There is a sensor in the converter.
internal88 : That give a specific value.
internal88 : And your vehicle exhaust is not within normal specification.
Customer :

so it is polluting a bit more than normal, but not dangerous, right?

Customer :

should I change the way I drive today, keep to 60 instead of 65/70 or anything else?

Customer :

are you still there?

internal88 : im here
internal88 : YOu can go to autozone and get a free scan
internal88 : Keep it at 60 mph steady speed
Customer :

thanks this was helpful

internal88 : NO, it is not dangerous.
internal88 : Are you in nyc now?
internal88 : When was the last time you refill your vehicle.
internal88 : For today try to drive the car at steady speed in the highway about 60 mph at low rpm.
internal88 : The engine will need to do a regeneration cycle. The cat converter is mostly dirty or damaged.
internal88 : But this is not dangerous. The car won't stall on you in the highway.
Customer :

i am on half full could it be from the diesel I put in? should I refill? I last filled about 200 miles ago

Customer :

not in NYC now

internal88 : However I would not advise you to ignore the light. You will need to see VW dealer on Thursday.
internal88 : Let me see if I find you any recall or TSB for you.
internal88 : In my database. ... Please hold
internal88 : are you still here?
internal88 :

I found 2 recalls that you will need to address.

internal88 :

These are safety recalls.

internal88 :

VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S):

Volkswagen/Golf 2010-2012

Volkswagen/Jetta 2009-2012

Volkswagen/Jetta Sportwagen 2009-2012

MANUFACTURER: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

MFR'S REPORT DATE: September 30, 2011

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V490000

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: N/A

COMPONENT: Fuel System, Diesel

POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 168,275

SUMMARY:
Volkswagen is recalling certain model 2009-2012 Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen vehicles, manufactured from May 2008 through September 2011, model year 2010-2012 Volkswagen Golf Vehicles, manufactured from May 2009 through September 2011, that are equipped with a 2.0L TDI Common Rail Diesel Engine/Clean Diesel Engine. The fuel injection pulses could coincide with the natural frequency of the #2 injector line, in specific load and rpm conditions. This resonance creates additional stress in the fuel line.

CONSEQUENCE:
Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire.

REMEDY:
Volkswagen will install an improved fuel injector line for the number 2 cylinder on certain vehicles and will install vibration dampers on all of the injector lines. Volkswagen will notify owners to have the vehicles repaired free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during November 2011. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

internal88 :

VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S):

Volkswagen/Eos 2009

Volkswagen/GTI 2009-2010

Volkswagen/Jetta 2009-2010

Volkswagen/Jetta Sportwagen 2009-2010

MANUFACTURER: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

MFR'S REPORT DATE: August 20, 2009

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V333000

NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE09035

COMPONENT: Power Train: Automatic Transmission

POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED: 16000

SUMMARY:
Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2009 and 2010 passenger cars manufactured between September 2008 and August 2009. The wiring harness of a temperature sensor in the Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) may have connector wires that were insufficiently crimped. With insufficiently crimped connector wires, a temperature sensor has the potential to falsely detect a high gearbox oil temperature, causing the transmission to abruptly shift to neutral. If this happens, the selector lever position indicator within the instrument panel will flash. In addition, the "DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL" indicator light will be illuminated, alerting the driver to apply the brakes.

CONSEQUENCE:
The abrupt shift to neutral could lead to a crash without warning.

REMEDY:
Volkswagen will notify owners, inspect the DSG and, if necessary, replace an affected DSG temperature sensor free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987

internal88 :

Good luck and don't drive from Utica to NYC.

internal88 :

It is mostly a emission issues like clogged exhaust pipes, bad senors, bad gaskets or something is clogged inside the pipes that is preventing normal operating.

internal88 :

Get this car to VW and rearrange for another car.

internal88 :

Let me know if I can help you further.

internal88 :

Please give me a good rating, Thank you.

Customer :

does this mean if I drive I could trigger the more serious problems?

Customer :

are you still available?

internal88 :

yes i'm still here.

internal88 :

Yes, it could trigger more serious problems.

internal88 :

Don't take the chance.

internal88 :

Are you by your car now?

internal88 :

I want you to do a little test for me.

internal88 :

Have someone block the exhaust pipe with a wood something.

internal88 :

Look under the car and see if there is exhaust gas leaking from the exhaust pipe.

internal88 :

This is to prove if you have an exhaust leak somewhere.

Customer :

okay great

internal88 :

ok

internal88 :

For testing purpose - try to drive the car at cruising speed 50 -60 mph and see if the light goes away.

internal88 :

Drive for 20 minutes.

internal88 :

Don't go far just stay local.

Customer :

is it good or bad if no smoke? just did test in driveway for two minutes and no smoke, but can take it out.

internal88 :

If you see a the exhaust gas leaking from the middle of the pipe then it is no good.

internal88 :

If you exhaust in the middle of pipe, that means you have leak in the exhaust.

internal88 :

You should see it immediately .

internal88 :

After this test. Take a drive and see if the light stays ON.

internal88 :

If the light still stays ON then there is no nothing you can do.

internal88 :

You have to visit the dealer on Thursday.

Expert TypeVW Mechanic
Category: VW
Pos. Feedback: 97.1 %
Accepts: 103
Answered: 7/4/2012

Experience: I've been working in the automotive industry for over 10 years. Diagnostic is my strength.

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