Jetta Catalytic Converter

[BriNJ]

I recently had my car (2000 Jetta VR6 86,000 miles) serviced at Flemington Volkswagen, Flemington, New Jersey to perform a diagnostic for a check engine light, which has been on and off repeatedly for the past several months. The results of the diagnostic indicated the following; 1) Code P0420 – Catalyst System Bank 1 Efficiency Below Threshold; and 2) Code P1432 – Secondary Air Injection System Switching Valve (A) Circuit Open. Based on these results, Flemington Volkswagen recommended replacing the catalytic converter and the secondary air solenoid. The estimated repair cost, including parts and labor, was quoted to be $1,968.00. I was quite surprised to learn that a 4 ½ year old car with only 86,000 miles requires a new catalytic converter, which exhibits no visible signs of significant degradation.

Shortly after my June 21, 2004 appointment, I found a technical reference from the Vermont Center for Emissions Repair, dated Fall 2003, that forecast early catalytic converter failure in a Volkswagen/Audi, which previously experienced failure of the coil pack. The technical reference stated, “Misfiring caused by a faulty coil can definitely degrade a converter.”

Between December 2002 and March 2003, my vehicle was serviced on three separate occasions at Flemington Volkswagen for an ongoing drivability issue causing consistent engine misfires during acceleration. The problem, originally diagnosed as a faulty fuel pump relay, was eventually diagnosed as a faulty coil pack. The faulty coil pack, a known problem for certain model Volkswagen’s and Audi’s, was then replaced under an ongoing recall campaign. A fourth visit to the dealer shortly thereafter was necessary to replace the spark plugs, whose early replacement was attributed to the faulty coil pack.

Based on the above, I sent a letter to VoA requesting reimbursment of the catalytic converter due to the coil pack issue. VoA responded saying there was nothing they could do. Their responce was, "If the coil pack did indeed cause the Cat to fail, it would have happened right away. Not a year down the road."

Question (after all that), it VoA responce accurate? Several people have said that a coil pack problem could definatley deragde a converter. I feel VOA should take a more proactive approach to this issue. I'm taking the car for second opinion next week at a private mechanic. Any thoughts you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

Brian Budney

[boschmann]

VW? Proactive? If they admitted that can you imagine the number of claims they'd get. Not when they get $1000 for the cat. If you had less than 80K the Feds would have made them replace it under warranty.

[lclare]

My 2001 Jetta check engine light went on.... the diagnostic code
is P0420- Cataylst system efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1).
It has 86,000 miles.
I guess this means I am looking at spending $1000 for a new Cat!!!
Do you have any advise for me??????
The engine was misfiring a couple a weeks ago... I got a tune up.
Could I have a faulty coil pack??

[boschmann]

What engine?

[lclare]

2.0 Liter

[LuckyGirlFriday13]

I've had nothing but problems since purchasing my 2001 VW Jetta 1.8L Turbo from a buy here pay here place promising honesty and integrity. Once I got it home, the alternater belt desentigrated on it my second time driving it and then the beautiful check engine light came on. Once I got it hooked up to the scan tool it started throwing out the code(s) P0170. I looked THAT up on alldata, discovered it was the O2 sensors. The only place willing to work on my Jetta was the VW dealership. I took it there and discovered BOTH O2 sensors were bad, BOTH duel overhead cam shaft seals were leaking which in turn ruined the timing belt and the water pump apparently therefore I had to replace EVERYTHING. Pair that with the vehicle not having break pads or shoes and bad tires and you have a receipe for disaster. My car is a 2001 with a little over 65 thousand miles on it. Here's my dilema. Since the O2 sensors have been replaced now my catalytic converter is bad. I've been told if I put an after market catalytic converter on it that the check engine light would NEVER go away and an after market converter would cause me problems in the long run. Then I was told there was this additive that I could put in my gas tank that would clear my catalytic converter problems right up but nobody seems to know the name of said additive. Lastly, I was told that due to the emissions law here in Florida that I could get it replaced for free under the 10 year 100,000 mile ordeal. Under 100,000 miles? Check. Under 10 years? Nope. I don't have the over $1600 it would take to replace the converter through VW itself. Any suggestions?

[National Catalytic]

We commonly see catalytic converter failures with VW Jettas in the 2000 to 2004 range. The 1.8t, 2.0 motors are more common but we have on occasion seen failures with the VR6.

Volkswagen is generally a tough fix in the aftermarket, but there are brands that will solve your problem. Be careful when shopping on-line or at your local parts store for parts for this car, many manufacturers make products that will fit, but many may not work. Always select a high quality brand like Catco or Bosal, though they be slightly more expensive than some other aftermarket options, they work and are considerably less expensive than dealer prices.

[daniellem3176]

I have a 2002 VW Jetta. I came on line out of frustration. For the 5th time, i go to get my inspection done and my guy says once again the Catalytic Converter is preventing the inspection to pass. this happens every year I get my inspection done. VW has always replaced free of charge. when i called them today to say i am having the same problem again they say that since i am over 100 k, its not there problem and i will have to pay over $2,000 to fix. Im not even sure they fixed it last time. I understand warrenties however, this is not my problem. especially when they keep "fixing" a problem they say is their fault, yet each year it prevents my car from passing inspection. I HATE VW. i wil never ever ever buy a car from them again. Since day one it has been a nightmare. i purchased it new, CASH and one month after my transmission dropped out, then, a year later both my friver and passenger window dropped when i took the care out of town, and i had to pay for it. ALSO when it rains i have 2 inches of water on floor board.

VW doesnt care and i wil never ever ever buy one or recommend one again. i understand that my car is old at this point, however, the problems i have had are are all a result of a terrible car. If anyone knows of a class action suite about the convertor please let me know. I know there was a class action about the water leaks but apparently i missed the deadline. Thanks and good luck.

[veedubmechanic]

If you brought your at to the dealer and had work done they must have put on the repair order what was actually done.
Catalytic converters just don't fail every year.

[Miltoga29]

I took my car in today and found out that 2004 Volkswagen Jetta has the same codes popping up and the dealer charged me $274.18 to update the codes. My Jetta was reading Catalyst Software level at 003 and the dealership said it should read 0040. After that I had a code for the Brake Vacuum pump that I think was disconnect by another automatic specialty shop. That specialize in fixing Volkswagens and BMW they quoted me $900 to replace the Brake pump which now I have learned they had disconnected... UGH This damn mechanics get on my last nerves. Any how just left the Volkswagen dealership paying $274 to update my codes and my car is back to doing the same thing it was doing before only not as much...LOL.. Oh my goodness I have to laugh to not cry. The check engine light has not came back on. But, when I took it in to the Specialist shop that quoted me $900 it wasn't on then. But, when I returned to pick it up it was on and the mechanic (owner) told me that it would go off. And it never did until I took it to Volkswagen and they reconnected the Brake pump and updated the codes. I am so confused as to what to do next PLEASE HELP!!!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[Puller9]

I have a 2003 VW Jetta. I purchased the vehicle in 2005. Sometime ~ 2009 my engine light went on and it was reported to be the CC. The technician at the time kindly informed me that VW had issued a notice of failing CC's and suggested I take my car to the dealer for CC replacement, which I did. In 2012 my engine light went on and I was having problems with the car. The coil was replaced, but the engine light went on again and I was advised to have the CC replaced. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford VW's CC and took it elsewhere for a CC replacement in early 2014 as I was between jobs. This ran well until this year when the engine light came back on again and I was again suggested to get a new CC. Again, timing was poor and I didn't have the $2,000 for a trip to the dealer.... and the car was due for inspection. I also had the exhaust manifold replaced at the same time. And now the engine light is back on and says the CC is not working. WHAT GIVES? Are CC's supposed to be replaced every 2-4 years? I thought you might have to replace it once in the lifetime of a vehicle, but not every other year?