For those of you with the infamous catalyst error/CEL...

snowcat · 05-17-2006, 04:23 PM

Have been living with a Check Engine light due to these errors:

P0421 Warm up catalyst below threshold (bank1)
P0431 Warm up catalyst below threshold (bank2)

About 4 months ago this started and my dealer told me the only fix was new cats for about $1500 plus labor. So I decided to put it off as long as I could.

Well I was back at the dealer last week to buy some window lift guides and the parts guy looked to see if there was a recall related to them for my model. Wouldn't you know a diferent recall shows up for an ECM upgrade to fix catalyst thresholds that were set too high!!! My relief for not having to buy cats negates my anger for the dealer missing this and almost costing me big $$$.

No CEL since the recall. Clean 112k service too. Whew!

The tech bulletin is C260503 if anyone is having the same issue. Run your VIN at the dealer to see if you qualify.

Max_A6 · 05-17-2006, 04:37 PM

bwb · 05-17-2006, 04:52 PM

iProDrive · 05-17-2006, 04:54 PM

snowcat · 05-17-2006, 04:58 PM

Says for Allroad but it's worth an inquiry.

snowcat · 05-17-2006, 04:58 PM

Kimchee · 05-17-2006, 04:58 PM

absolutcq20v · 05-17-2006, 06:18 PM

Edd W · 05-18-2006, 07:28 AM

05-17-2006, 04:23 PM	#1
snowcat New Member Account #: 55113 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 483	For those of you with the infamous catalyst error/CEL... Have been living with a Check Engine light due to these errors: P0421 Warm up catalyst below threshold (bank1) P0431 Warm up catalyst below threshold (bank2) About 4 months ago this started and my dealer told me the only fix was new cats for about $1500 plus labor. So I decided to put it off as long as I could. Well I was back at the dealer last week to buy some window lift guides and the parts guy looked to see if there was a recall related to them for my model. Wouldn't you know a diferent recall shows up for an ECM upgrade to fix catalyst thresholds that were set too high!!! My relief for not having to buy cats negates my anger for the dealer missing this and almost costing me big $$$. No CEL since the recall. Clean 112k service too. Whew! The tech bulletin is C260503 if anyone is having the same issue. Run your VIN at the dealer to see if you qualify. __________________ 2004 A6 S-Line, stock but only for now... Why I hate driving in Minnesota My Other Car is a Mountain Bike Sail Fast

05-17-2006, 04:37 PM	#2
Max_A6 Junior Member Account #: 48084 Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 1,394	C260503, eh? Thanks, good info. I've been rejected once, but will try it again. __________________ Max A6 ----------------

05-17-2006, 04:52 PM	#3
bwb New Member Account #: 65710 Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 226	I was getting the nerve to take it into the dealer with the same error code. Thanks! __________________ BWB

05-17-2006, 04:54 PM	#4
iProDrive Junior Member Account #: 106707 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SL,UT Posts: 4,191	All I have to say is I FKING love you for telling AW about this...life saver yes you are! THX!**

05-17-2006, 04:58 PM	#5
snowcat New Member Account #: 55113 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 483	If it helps there is a similar recall for the 2.7 - C010305. Found on Bentley CD. Says for Allroad but it's worth an inquiry. __________________ 2004 A6 S-Line, stock but only for now... Why I hate driving in Minnesota My Other Car is a Mountain Bike Sail Fast

05-17-2006, 04:58 PM	#6
snowcat New Member Account #: 55113 Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 483	<blushing> __________________ 2004 A6 S-Line, stock but only for now... Why I hate driving in Minnesota My Other Car is a Mountain Bike Sail Fast

05-17-2006, 04:58 PM	#7
Kimchee Member Account #: 15573 Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 25,882	^^that's a happy guy right thur ^^

05-17-2006, 06:18 PM	#8
absolutcq20v Member Account #: 13357 Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 21,322	NICE! Great info, thanks!! :D

05-18-2006, 07:28 AM	#9
Edd W Junior Member Account #: 41826 Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,611	That is a real stroke of luck and good service from the parts guy. __________________ VW Touareg 06 30k 6spd 2.5Tdi - Wifey's new one, A4 was not big enough! A6 2.7t 01my 6spd Avant 51k miles A4 2.0FSi SE 03.8 22k miles - Wifey's new one - the golf was not luxurious enough. Sold 30/08/08 - gone to Heathrow. Golf Tdi 03.08 130pd, 6spd, 19k miles - Sold 8th November 2006 - gone to Coventry! A6 2.8q 98.11 115K miles - sold 20th Feb 2006 - gone to Kidderminster. 100 2.8q 92.1 147k miles - Sold 6th July 2004 - its new home is Edinburgh A4 1.6 97.8 99k miles - Sold 12th Feb 03 VW Golf Gti 86 22k miles 2.0 Oettinger 190bhp, lowered, lightened and quick and sold 23/03/08. Gone to Coventry.

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