CEL stays on

SVX92-97 · #1 05-15-2007, 11:27 AM

I bought the 96 Polo which I picked up Friday down in Jersey. As I left the ladys house the CEL came on and has stayed on since. I could not get a reading at all with the OBDII reader. Took it to a shop which has a more in depth and expensive reader and they could not get a reading either, there reader says to check fuses and grounds. They checked out. What now? They said it could be a faulty ECU or wiring problem. So the OBDII is NOT able to give out a reading. I need to fix this asap, because I have to go thru emissions in order to register it here in CT. The seller allowed me to drive it home with here plates and registration which expire the end of this month.

cdvs · #2 05-15-2007, 12:23 PM

First, I don't know what happens in CT, but in MA, OBDII cars are hooked up and read, not tested. So, If there are no codes, it would pass even if the CEL is on.

Good luck!

thumper_svx · #3 05-15-2007, 02:27 PM

Same here in Missouri. You might have to "encourage" them to hook up, but if they hook up and can't read codes then they should pass it.

Could the shop tell if the OBDII was working at all? There are a lot more parameters output on those connectors than just codes.

It could just be a short in the dash module that's turning on the light. Might want to check for a bad ground there.