# Passat 2001

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/passat-2001/1171>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [July 1, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passat-2001/1171 "2007-07-01T17:27:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lanart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Lanart](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lanart)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2007, 5:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passat-2001/1171/1 "2007-07-01T17:27:22Z")

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I have a 2001 VW Passat. How do I know if the catalytic converter needs to be replaced and also will the engine light come on?

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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:** [July 2, 2007, 12:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passat-2001/1171/2 "2007-07-02T00:04:31Z")

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I believe the engine light will come on. There is more than one failure mode for a converter. A common one is a lack of power at higher RPMs. If you are having problems passing someone on the freeway, that is a good chance the converter is almost totally gone.

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**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2007, 1:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/passat-2001/1171/3 "2007-07-02T13:09:28Z")

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The engine light will be illuminated.

Who is giving you this “diagnosis” and why is it being suggested?