Like a typical owner of a 2000 Jetta, I'm having a few problems with my check engine light and would appreciate some feedback. My California smog test just failed and I'm currently working on clearing these codes... and I'm a young woman whom for some reason many mechanics don't take seriously.

This car was non-operational for a few months due to a faulty coils, spark plugs and some wiring. Got that done - changed all the fluids, filters and drove it around to let everything pass through (it currently drives great), then the engine light comes back on.

Ok so here is what the problem is - codes came up for P1582 (Idle adaptation at limit) and two cat converter codes which I can't remember. So I take it to a muffler shop to have them inspect the cat, all they said was that it needs to be replaced and asked for $800 bucks and refused to give me a detailed explanation. I brushed that off and took it back to my mechanic. After he cleans the throttle body and checks all the necessary components, the idle code pops up again with NO cat codes, so I'm currently replacing the throttle. Where did the cat converter codes go? I wish I wrote down what they were, or at least have those faulty muffler guys give me a diagnostic. The cat also was one of the things that passed the smog.