Girlfriend drove the car, now theres a CEL

**pologk04** · 12-10-2008 06:29 PM

So I let the girl drive the car yesterday for a quick errand and she brought it back to me with a CEL

. The car seems to be running fine but I want to take care of it. Is there a way to pull the codes on these cars without an OBDII scanner? (I have a 2001 2.8Q by the way.) I'm new to the Audi scene, but I thought maybe its possible to pull it up on the instrument panel display or on the factory radio. I've searched, but it looks like the radio codes only pull climate control issues. Is that right? Here in California its now illegal for parts shops like Autozone to pull the codes for free or to lend out the OBDII, so I don't want to spend $100+ just to pull a number that codes for a simple relay or maybe even "female driver"

.

I was looking online for scanners and found this.
http://www.amazon.com/Check-Engine-S...pr_product_top

Is it legit? I don't expect much out of it for the price, but if it gives me what i need then why not

**biketsai** · 12-10-2008 06:39 PM

go to ECS tuning and buy the VChecker, but i mean, you might as well pay another $100 and get the real deal

**big_greasy_taco** · 12-10-2008 07:12 PM

Originally Posted by pologk04

So I let the girl drive the car yesterday

Think I found the problem

**Seerlah** · 12-11-2008 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by pologk04

Here in California its now illegal for parts shops like Autozone to pull the codes for free or to lend out the OBDII

That's some bullsh*t. But you should invest in VAG Com. You could download the software for free, get an ebay cable, and then purchase the registration key. Or you could just get an official VAG Com cable (the better route) from Ross-Tech. Or get a generic OBD II scanner (Autozone sells them). But they can not do half of the things VAg Com can, which also includes pulling intermittent/hidden codes, logging blocks, throttle body adapt, key fob programming, etc.

**InTTruder** · 12-11-2008 09:53 AM

ScanGauge-

Your GF has no connection to the CEL btw, so why is she in the title?

**TverRus69** · 12-11-2008 10:03 AM

just get the 20 dollar vagcom cable from alpha-bid on ebay and download the 407 version of the Ross-Tech software for free like most people here have done. Then you can check codes, log (limited) your car, clear the CEL/MIL, and look like you know what your doing to passer bys on the street.

Then you can also upgrade for $100 to the full Ross-Tech version if you want more logging options

**pologk04** · 12-11-2008 12:24 PM

Is the VAG Com software available for Mac? I suppose it would be possible to use my old PC for the software if not, but that computer is a piece. It would be nice to have anyway so I could do some modding I have wanted for a while (remote windows down/up)

**Spykce** · 12-11-2008 08:21 PM

buy an OBDII scanner, use it, return it. It has happened to me at work many times. It's bullshit but Autozone will take it back if you fuss enough....

**HOFFY11** · 12-11-2008 08:24 PM

cant you set a cel by driving with 2 feet like constantly breaking and gassing at the same time..i read something online about it..well just a thought lol

**pologk04** · 12-11-2008 08:56 PM

Took it to 2Bennett today cause it only cost 10 bucks to do the read and they know what they're talking about. Turns out its an exhaust leak after my cats somewhere. The code came up with "Bank 2 correction behind catalyst. Control limit reached" (code 17585). When I started up the car the guy said he thought he heard something wrong with the exhaust. Should be an easy fix.

**InTTruder** · 12-12-2008 05:43 PM

Good news.

The 2Bennett guys are cool: they came to our track event last year at barber. I opine they may also find you need an O2 sensor.

It wasn't the GF's fault, was it!