Random Engine Light

I have a 98 Jetta GL. Some times the Engine Light comes on, seemingly at
random, since nothing is noticably wrong. Then the speedometer randomly
comes on and off too. Usually these 2 things happen around each other, but
in linking pattern. Also, my keyless entry stopped working. I tried to
reprogram it, but it wouldnt. So for a few weeks it would just beep
randomly when I was driving. Now it wont work at all! I have replaced the
battery on my remote aswell. LoL sounds like alot eh? But the car runs
fine, so I didnt want to take it to the dealership for no reason.

Could this be a ECU problem, or/and a Remote/keyless entry problem? Maybe
just replace them? Also I recently found out there is a speedometer chip,
would that need to be replaced already? Its only 80k miles!

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions!

Gill2003 wrote:
>
> I have a 98 Jetta GL. Some times the Engine Light comes on, seemingly at
> random, since nothing is noticably wrong. Then the speedometer randomly
> comes on and off too. Usually these 2 things happen around each other, but
> in linking pattern. Also, my keyless entry stopped working. I tried to
> reprogram it, but it wouldnt. So for a few weeks it would just beep
> randomly when I was driving. Now it wont work at all! I have replaced the
> battery on my remote aswell. LoL sounds like alot eh? But the car runs
> fine, so I didnt want to take it to the dealership for no reason.
>
> Could this be a ECU problem, or/and a Remote/keyless entry problem? Maybe
> just replace them? Also I recently found out there is a speedometer chip,
> would that need to be replaced already? Its only 80k miles!
>
> Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions!

I doubt you have an ECU problem. Both the speedometer and the ECU relies
on a signal from the vehicle speed sensor (typically located on the
transmission). If the speed sensor should fail, the speedometer will
stop working and the ECU will turn on the Check Engine light. So, if you
can fix the intermittent speedometer, the check engine light will
probably be taken care of as well.

I would venture that the keyless entry problem is independent of the
speedometer issue. The keyless entry system is always powered, the speed
sensor / speedometer is powered only with the key turned to on. There
could be an intermittent ground common to the keyless entry and the
speedometer, but then you more than likely would see other instrument
act up as well.

Gill2003 wrote:
> I have a 98 Jetta GL. Some times the Engine Light comes on, seemingly
> at random, since nothing is noticably wrong. Then the speedometer
> randomly comes on and off too. Usually these 2 things happen around
> each other, but in linking pattern.

That sounds like the speed sensor is going out or has a poor
connection. That could account for both problems, one is just reporting the
other. BTW if you have the error codes read from your car's computer, it
should tell you exactly why that engine light is coming on. Some places are
known to read these codes for free. Try Autozone if you have one around.

> Also, my keyless entry stopped
> working. I tried to reprogram it, but it wouldnt.

There are a number of different procedures to re-program this depending
on the car and year of production. Hopefully you have one that someone
knows and will post the information you need. Hopefully it will not require
a trip to the dealer. I suspect the key issue is separate from the engine
issue.

> So for a few weeks
> it would just beep randomly when I was driving. Now it wont work at
> all! I have replaced the battery on my remote aswell. LoL sounds like
> alot eh? But the car runs fine, so I didnt want to take it to the
> dealership for no reason.
>
> Could this be a ECU problem, or/and a Remote/keyless entry problem?
> Maybe just replace them? Also I recently found out there is a
> speedometer chip, would that need to be replaced already? Its only
> 80k miles!
>
> Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions!

--
Joseph Meehan

26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math

Alright, So its probaly cheaper to just try to change the Speedometer chip,
or sensor?