2002ar

The only recall I'm aware of was for improperly insulated wires near the steering column. If not an actual recall, does a '01-'02 ar have to throw a CEL before a dealer will flash the ECU?

paulroad

look a few posts down, there was a recall on 03/04 allroads for bad code which fried 02 sensors.

Cats are covered for 80K miles as part of the EPA waranty.

2002ar

It seems that the ECU in '01-'02 ar's can cause the cat to go, as well as the O2 sensors. Is there a tech bulletin on this as it seems no official recall has been issued? As with other issues, I imagine that a CEL will have to be thrown before a dealer will fix the problem (reprogram the ECU).

allroadCole

not covered by my warranty.

However, I called APR and they confirmed that thier chip will also fix the issue...

I would always clear it with the VAGCOM (I hate looking at that yellow light) and then it would take about 2 days to come back. I was about to go the APR route but then last spring the CEL stopped comming back!

Maybe becuase winter was comming to an end and the weather was warming up? I guess I'll find out soon.

But if it comes back I think I'll get the APR or GIAC Solution. $180 for nothing VS. $600 for 50-70HP....

paulroad

EPA Warranty is for 8/80 and it specifically covers the ECU and the CATS. If you have a problem with this then evn beyond your 5/50 you are still covered.

allroadCole

software updates were not covered?? They said the car was working fine but the window for warm-up time was too small in my version of the ECU software.

The new ECU software would allow for a longer warmup time before throwing a code. Doing nothing but removing the code and turning off the CEL.

I looked hard and tried to get this covered but it looked like a no go for me...

Is there anything you can recomend doing to get this covered?

I ended up never doing anything about it because the CEL went away as the weather warmed up... Waiting now to see if it comes back....

paulroad

While the ECU itself is covered against failure for the EPA waranty, your dealer may think that because the cure is a flash, its not covered.
AoA customer care will tell you.

Here is the tex from the EPA website:
++++++++++
What Are Specified Major Emission Control Components?

There are three specified major emission control components,
covered for the first 8 years or 80,000 miles of vehicle use on 1995
and newer vehicles:

* Catalytic converters.

* The electronic emissions control unit or computer (ECU).

* The onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD).

Catalytic converters are critical emission control components
that have been installed on most cars and trucks manufactured since
1975. Since engines don't burn fuel completely during the combustion
process, the exhaust contains a significant amount of harmful
pollutants such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and oxides of
nitrogen. The catalytic converter aids the conversion of these
pollutants to less harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, water
vapor, nitrogen, and oxygen before the exhaust is expelled into the
environment.

The electronic emissions control unit or computer monitors
certain powertrain functions and controls various operating parameters
to help the vehicle run efficiently and with the lowest possible
emissions. Ignition, transmission function, air injection, exhaust
gas recirculation (EGR), engine operating temperature and fuel system
parameters are some of the systems monitored and/or controlled by the
electronic emissions control unit.

The onboard emissions diagnostic device monitors the operation of
a vehicle's emission control system and alerts the driver with a
dashboard light when malfunctions occur. The system will record where
the problem is occurring and assist automotive technicians in
diagnosing and repairing emission control malfunctions. Since some
emission control malfunctions do not have an adverse effect on vehicle
performance, they can go undetected by the driver for quite some time.
The onboard diagnostic device will help catch malfunctions early,
preventing a significant output of harmful exhaust emissions from your
vehicle, and possibly in time to be covered by the emissions control
warranty. Often this "device" is part of the electronic control unit
mentioned above.

2002ar

Thanks for the info. Where I used to live it rarely got below 20°F. I'll watch for the CEL and anticipate a trip to the dealer.