# Engine light VW Golf

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-light-vw-golf/11202>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** engines\
**Created:** [February 27, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-light-vw-golf/11202 "2008-02-27T16:50:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![davejaffe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@davejaffe](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davejaffe)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 4:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-light-vw-golf/11202/1 "2008-02-27T16:50:39Z")

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I have a 93 VW Golf whose engine light comes on intermittently. I recently replaced the alternator, but the light still comes on. My mechanic can’t find anything wrong. Suggestions?

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**Author:** ![Bill\_Russell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Bill\_Russell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Bill_Russell)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-light-vw-golf/11202/2 "2008-02-27T17:14:21Z")

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Can you tell us the error codes (form of P0123), also what engine, and how many miles.

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**Author:** ![davejaffe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@davejaffe](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davejaffe)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-light-vw-golf/11202/3 "2008-02-27T17:44:07Z")

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I don’t know the codes. It’s a 93 Golf GTI and has about 57,000 miles on it.

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-light-vw-golf/11202/4 "2008-02-27T18:18:18Z")

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A '93 is OBD 1, so it will not have P0xxx codes. Here’s how to retrieve codes and interpret them:  
[http://www.autolib.diakom.ru/CARS2/pribor/cs1000/manual/vw\_blink.pdf](http://www.autolib.diakom.ru/CARS2/pribor/cs1000/manual/vw_blink.pdf)

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-light-vw-golf/11202/5 "2008-02-27T18:28:15Z")

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That CEL (check engine light) is just a kid in class waving her hand trying to get you attention because she has the answer. You need to have the codes read. Some places will read them for FREE. Try Autozone or Advanced Auto Parts. Get the exact code (like P0123) not just their translation into English and post it back here.

Regarding warning lights:

1. if the coolant temp light comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

2. if the oil warning light comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

3. if a FLASHING MIL/CEL comes on, shut off the engine ASAP

But if the MIL/CEL is not flashing, then it’s not an urgent indicator.

Note VW’s have a more advanced CEL and only VAGCOM readers can read ALL the codes. However most codes can be read by a standard reader.

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**Author:** ![NYBo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nybo/32/17281_2.png) [@NYBo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/NYBo)\
**Post date:** [February 27, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/engine-light-vw-golf/11202/6 "2008-02-27T18:35:00Z")

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AutoZone et al use OBD 2 code readers and will not be able to read codes on this '93. Use the link in my previous reply.