Hello I am very new to this site and don't have a clue about cars.

I have a 2003 Jetta 4cyl 5spd Manual. 86k. The car overheated about a month ago due to a broken water pump impeller. The part was changed and the car is performing well but the engine light came on shortly after the initial repair and has remained on after numerous other visits to two different mechanics. The computer gives the following messages:

in VAG mode: CODE 18613 "Unknown Trouble Code"

in OBD2 Mode: CODE P2181 "Cooling System Performance"

We have recently checked the water pump and it is functional. The thermostat was replaced when the water pump was initially and so was the ETC (or ECT) sensor. Actually this part was replaced twice. The mechanic made a small hole in the thermostat when he replaced is and told me this was normal.

Any thoughts.

-m

 

They should be able to rest your codes for you. If not there is probably something else making this happen. Probably you MAF sensor or the O2 sensor because your car got extremely warm the emissions were awful high.Try having the codes rest first and go from there. the only other choice is to disconnect the battery for 14 hours and hook back up. This will rest the computer to Factory specs and will make the necessary adjustments as you drive. One thing...............KNOW your RADIO code before doing this or jump the wire to the fuse box with a 12 volt battery to keep power to the radio. The radio may not operate if the battery is unhooked for this long or a completely dead battery. YOU need this code to work the radio, it is normally in the owners manual when the car was new. Most dealers will charge for this but they shouldn't. Only takes about 2 minutes and you use the buttons on the radio to program in the code to make it work.