Wayne’s O2 Sensor Angle Block
I’ve had a “check engine” light (CEL) on in my GTI for something like two years or so now. The MK4 uses many sensors in order to maximize the efficiency of the 1.8L turbo motor. This ends up being both a good thing and a bad thing. It’s great because I get about 37 mpg in the city, and 30 highway. But it’s also bad, because these little sensors also go bad, and sometimes with a disturbing frequency. Bad sensors result in annoying CELs.
I use Ross Tech’s VAG Com to check the error codes, then hop over to the VWVortex forums and research what the various error codes mean. Most codes are fairly common among the Volkswagen tuning community, so using the ‘Tex’s forum search, I can usually come up with a few threads that lead to a solution. My most recent reoccurring CEL battle was giving me these results in VAG Com:
Sunday,26,October,2008,06:57:38:59172
VCDS Version: Release 805.1Address 01: Engine
Control Module Part Number: 06A 906 032 LP
Component and/or Version: 1.8L R4/5VT G 0005
Software Coding: 07500
Work Shop Code: WSC 13876
Additional Info: 9BWDE61J934016942 VWZ7Z0B5351813
1 Fault Found:16804 – Catalyst System; Bank 1: Efficiency Below Threshold
P0420 – 35-00 – -Readiness: 0000 0000
Pretty much, this code means my aftermarket turbo-back exhaust system was more efficient than the smaller-piped OEM system, and the O2 sensor wasn’t sending back the right signals to the ECU. After a little more digging on the Tex, I came across this thread showing a step-by-step how-to featuring a little device called Waynes O2 Sensor Angle Block. 42Draft Designs also has a great write up on the Waynes Block, why you may need it, and what is does.
I’ll report back in a few days to let everyone know if this solved the problem or not.
More info:
42 Draft Designs FAQ
VW Vortex Forums
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