icu2cop

first post on audiworld!! So, yesterday I bought a 2002 pre-owned audi a4 1.8t from valenti audi dealer in watertown connecticut. it is in almost mint condition and runs perfectly. i drove the car normally, did not push it at all and within 100 miles, i was on the highwhay when the check engine light comes on and stays on for the rest of the day. still on this morning. i am confused because this is right from an audi dealer and it JUST had the audi pre-owned 100,000 mile certification done on it. the car runs and sounds perfect! what are the chances that this is serious? could i be ruining the car by driving it? should i be worried about this?

please help

applicable specs:
37000 miles, 5 speed manual, sport package

JAFO

if it's flashing you should shutdown the engine immediately. without knowing what codes are set we really can't help much. i'd take it to the dealer asap to have it looked at. then again the light may go out by itself after a few days as the car adjusts to your driving style.

FoKai

did you gas up? check the cap to make sure its been screwed on properly

icu2cop

k, good to know. the check engine light never blinked. always solid. so no worries, i would turn the car off right away if it blinks (good to know). just filled up today and clicked the gas cap 3 times so is definitely not that. went to boston and back today and the check engine light was/is on the entire time. what are the chances this is something serious that when i am driving it is really damaging the car? either way, i'll call a dealer tomorrow. just cant believe i just got it and the check engine is on.

thanks a million for your help.

FoKai

I had a solid CEL in 04 and turns out my secondary o2 sensor was failing along with my cat - although I could still drive it around.

I'm not saying this is what's wrong with your car, but IMHO the only way to really know is to VAG it. Solid CEL, still driveable but take it to a dealer as soon as you can. Blinking CEL, stop driving and bring to dealer ASAP.

Good luck.<ul><li><a href="http://www.steve-hall.com/cgi-bin/VAG-Locator.pl">VAG-COM Locator</a></li></ul>

icu2cop

so yeh, go figure.

FoKai

Cool, but IMHO I'd check for any underlying DTCs just in case

icu2cop

if you're interested- turns out it was a vaccuum hose. went to inskip audi which is an amazing looking dealer. lcd in the waiting area, got a kick out of the complimentary "quatro bar", and the showroom was incredible. They took me in right there and fixed it in an hour. Valenti in CT ended up paying for the $50 deductable for fixing it (because the vaccuum hose was in fact covered under CPO warrenty).

FoKai

good to hear everything worked out and the dealer took care of you