Topic: My GTI threw a code...

[tpl]

just a solidly on CEL no flashing light. Car ran fine.

When I got home I took the laptop to the garage and VAG-COM ( now called VCDS) told me it was
"Mass airflow sensor incorrect voltage".   So reset the code.
Went out later and the light immediately came on.
Resolved to go off to the dealer today.


Before going out I opened the hood to check the fluids.
And there it was... one of the 3 wires to the MAF chewed right through and the underhood sound deadening stuff thoroughly chewed up to form a nest for the critter.  A chipmunk I think, we have lots in our garden.

So off to the dealer.   As the car is still in warranty I asked if they would prefer to fix it or if I should do it.   I don't want any argument should the MAF itself die in the future.    They said that they would be happy if I did it and it would not affect warranty.

Then I asked at the part store for the cost/availability of a new MAF plug and some pins to go in it.
The plug carcase $12 but    the pins tho'   come with wire pigtails already in place and cost $25 EACH and you need 3.   The underhood insulation is $122.
I did not order any and I'll be out there with soldering iron etc later this afternoon.


$25 for couple of feet of 18 gauge and a 5 cent pin !!!!!


Interestingly ( to me anyway) the insulation does not look as it it is fire/flame proof material, just cotton waste in a ( possibly) fire retardant cover.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Damn things. I have some mice and chipmunks around my house too and worry about them causing a mess.

Also have a service appointment with my dealer today. My last one before the comprehensive coverage expires, so going to have them lube the sunroof and inspect some things before it does (nothing wrong, just precautionary). Knowing my luck, something will go just out of it.

Good luck on re-cottoning.

[2latecrew]

I think you need some preventative maintenance:

 

[HeliDriver]

My GTI was also attacked by miserable rodents. I posted about it here: http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,72409.0.html

Fortunately, the only damage in my case was to the underhood insulation. I just removed the whole thing and never bothered to replace it. Near as I can figure out, that insulation is just for noise suppression.

The DI ticking at idle may be slightly more noticeable now, but it's no big deal IMO.

[dr_spock]

You could solder the wires back together and cover them with heat shrink tubing. 

If you're ok with noise, the sound insulation can go and then there is no material for the critters to use to build a nest with.

Add some mouse traps in the engine bay. 

[tpl]

You could solder the wires back together and cover them with heat shrink tubing. 

If you're ok with noise, the sound insulation can go and then there is no material for the critters to use to build a nest with.

Add some mouse traps in the engine bay. 

I just did that. I used to build electronic stuff when I was a teenager and I have not forgotten how to wield a soldering iron  No heatshrink tho' just tape  but I should have stopped off at Neutron ( our local has everything electronics store) and got some.    I am thinking of potting the whole connector and wires in epoxy...maybe I'll do that tomorrow. If it needs to be replaced again, I'll get a new plug and pins.

Damn things. I have some mice and chipmunks around my house too and worry about them causing a mess.

Also have a service appointment with my dealer today. My last one before the comprehensive coverage expires, so going to have them lube the sunroof and inspect some things before it does (nothing wrong, just precautionary). Knowing my luck, something will go just out of it.

Good luck on re-cottoning.

 
Had the furnace serviced yesterday. The guy found dead Chickadees in the air inlet pipe. 

[mrthompson]

I wonder how much a Dynamat hoodliner costs versus OEM?  $120 for Dynamat liner per website.

http://www.dynamat.com/products_automotive_hoodliner.html

[tpl]

The oem part is 122+ tax

[dr_spock]

I just did that. I used to build electronic stuff when I was a teenager and I have not forgotten how to wield a soldering iron  No heatshrink tho' just tape  but I should have stopped off at Neutron ( our local has everything electronics store) and got some.    I am thinking of potting the whole connector and wires in epoxy...maybe I'll do that tomorrow. If it needs to be replaced again, I'll get a new plug and pins.

Had the furnace serviced yesterday. The guy found dead Chickadees in the air inlet pipe. 

Did you ever build those kits from Heathkits?   Epoxy is going to be hard to take apart if you ever have to get in to fix something again--you do have a VW. 

I had voles in the basement ceiling one winter, the cats took care of them.  I went around and stuffed steel wool in any possible opening around the house. 

[tpl]

I just did that. I used to build electronic stuff when I was a teenager and I have not forgotten how to wield a soldering iron  No heatshrink tho' just tape  but I should have stopped off at Neutron ( our local has everything electronics store) and got some.    I am thinking of potting the whole connector and wires in epoxy...maybe I'll do that tomorrow. If it needs to be replaced again, I'll get a new plug and pins.

Had the furnace serviced yesterday. The guy found dead Chickadees in the air inlet pipe. 

Did you ever build those kits from Heathkits?   Epoxy is going to be hard to take apart if you ever have to get in to fix something again--you do have a VW. 

I had voles in the basement ceiling one winter, the cats took care of them.  I went around and stuffed steel wool in any possible opening around the house. 

Funny you should mention Heathkit.  They are back!
http://www.eetimes.com/discussion/break-points/4219631/Heathkit-returns-?cid=NL_Embedded&Ecosystem=embedded

I have never built one. They were very expensive in the UK when I was a teenager.

As for the epoxy thing.    Should the plug and its wires fail after being epoxied  I'd just buy a new plug and the wires from VW

We had mice...but now they'll have to eat through 3" of blown in foam to get in since the basement has been done.

[Snowman]

We had Charlie (camp name for chipmunks and other rodents up north and not a derogatory term for our Chinese Vietnamese friends) in great numbers around our house here in Oakville due to the mature trees, proximity to green space and the park. Now they stay on the perimeter as my Mom's dog has moved in with us. All it takes is one kill to send a message     

fixed.

[mmret]

We had Charlie (camp name for chipmunks and other rodents up north and not a derogatory term for our Chinese friends)

Vietnamese.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viet_Cong

[No H2O]

Tpl, if that MAF is a Bosch unit, I either have a PDF from Bosch with connectors and pin part numbers on my hard drive at home or I might have seen it on the web.

I do know that they are available separately.