CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HACK-SKODA AND OTHER VW GROUP CARS -

In this article, you can see another way to make a check engine light hack.

This information may be useful if you’ve had previous problems with the check engine light and were not able to solve it.

We’ll be showing this example on a Skoda Fabia, but the principle can be applied to other Volkswagen, same-generation cars. Especially the ones that have the same engine type.

Besides this, once you see what the hack is about, it can perhaps be used for other cars.

So, hope this helps to solve the problem. Also at the end of the article, you have a video on the same topic which can also be watched on our YouTube channel.

WHAT CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEM IN THIS CASE?

One of the most common causes for the check engine light problem is interference with the air-fuel mixture ratio.

It’s critical for engine functioning and if it’s not precise, the check engine light will come up.

In this case, the problem is with the air intake, namely with a part of the engine cover which is also the airbox.

The airbox means the housing for the air filter and the air intake.

Inside of the airbox is a mechanism that regulates hot and cold air coming to the engine. Lots of cars have this kind of system because it helps gain working temperature much faster.

In this case, it consists of a plastic flap that is driven by a temperature-sensitive mechanism.

When the engine is cold, the mechanism blocks cold air from coming in and takes in the hot air. When it heats up, it blocks hot air and lets in the cold air.

Problems start when the air flap gets stuck and doesn’t react to the engine heating up thus letting hot air in all the time.

Excessive hot air interferes with the proper air-fuel mixture and this may well trigger the check engine light.

If you’re interested in more information about the reasons for a check engine light problem click here.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HACK

The point of this check engine light hack is to remove the stuck air flap from the airbox.

By doing this, you’ll enable the air to freely circulate into the air intake.

Regarding tools, all you’ll need is a Phillips screwdriver, a T25 Torx screwdriver, and a pair of pliers. The pliers are optional and you’ll need them just in case you cant pull out the flap by hand.

1. Take off the engine cover.

If you don’t know how to do this, click here to read a separate article on that topic or watch a YouTube video tutorial. There you’ll find it all explained in detail.

2. Turn over the engine cover. You’ll notice that it has two main parts, one holds the air filter while inside the other is the air flap you need to remove. You’ll have to take off a combination of Philips and T25 Torx screws.

3. First, take off the Philips screws and remove the air filter housing. Then release the Torx screws holding the part with the air intake pipe. When you take it off, turn it over, and you’ll see the air flap with the whole mechanism inside of it.

4. Take hold of the air flap and pull it off. It will probably put up a bit of a fight, especially if the plastic is rigid. If possible, be careful not to break the plastic clip holding it if you want to preserve the whole mechanism for later.

The whole problem at least in this case is with the thermostat part. It drives the whole mechanism since it’s sensitive to the air temperature flowing through the airbox.

You can leave the rest of the mechanism in place. Make sure that no parts are left loose so they don’t accidentally get into the air intake.

5. Return the part with the mechanism and pipe into place. Insert the screws and tighten them in a criss-cross pattern.

6. If the air filter is dirty, this is a good opportunity to replace it before you return it into the plastic housing.

If you want to read more about how to replace the air filter click here for a separate article on that topic.

Also, if the air filter is OK and you happen to have a compressor available, you can use it to blow out and clean the air filter and the plastic housing.

7. Return the air filter into the plastic housing.

8. Tighten the air filter housing according to the number pattern on it. Follow the numbers, first tighten slightly and then finally tighten once all screws are in place.

Make sure everything sits in properly so you don’t get any air leaks. Air leaks will cause the check engine light to come up.

9. Now return the engine cover back into place. Make sure it sits in properly and that you’ve connected the rubber hose on the side.

In the case of the Skoda, make sure the rubber gasket for the throttle body sits in properly. If it doesn’t it can cause a problem that we’ve described in another video, which you can watch by clicking here.

10. Turn on the engine. If the check engine light doesn’t immediately go away which is common, you can either wait for it to go away after a few engine starts or reset the check engine light using an OBD scanner. If you want to see how to do that in more detail, click here.

CONCLUSION

Besides the mentioned check engine light hack method we’ve described, there are a couple of more ways of doing it:

You don’t have to take the air flap out completely. Instead, you can take out the rest of the mechanism (spring, lever, and thermostat). Then use some hot glue (or other adhesive) to glue the flap into place and totally block the hot air from coming in.
Block the mechanism and air flap using a screw. Push the lever and spring until the flap closes and then drive a screw through the plastic to hold it in place.
Buy a new thermostat. At least in my case, it’s very hard to find and takes time. Buying a used one is not an option as almost all of them are faulty as the one you already have. Definitely the best and most correct option but sadly the least available one.

So, as you’ve seen it’s not that complicated to do. You won’t need that much car knowledge or any special tools.

Also, it doesn’t take much time. About half an hour to an hour at most.

For the end, when the check engine light comes up, especially if it’s intermittent, definitely make checking the flap in the air box a priority.

It may mean the difference between spending a ton of money on repairs for nothing and an easy and perhaps enjoyable repair.