Blink Fault Code Diagnostic Reference for Volkswagen & Audi
Volkswagen and Audi models, beginning with production year 1988 thru 1995, utilize a system of blink codes for injection, ignition and emissions fault diagnosis. These faults can be easily read with a simple set of tools and this document. The tools needed consist of a simple LED test light (this is not needed if the vehicle is equipped with a CHECK ENGINE light) and a small jumper wire. (Jumper wires are normally sold in pairs. One can be used to construct the test light below if needed.)
The test light (if needed) can be constructed with an LED, a 330 ohm 1/4 watt resistor and a jumper wire with alligator clips at each end.
1) Solder the resistor to the ground (-) side of the LED.
2) Cut the jumper wire into 2 pieces (make one slightly longer than the other).
3) Solder the shorter of the 2 wires to the resistor and the other to the Positive side of the LED.
4) Insulate between the LED leads and at the solder joints with some electrical tape or shrink wrap tubing.
**CAUTION**If the car is equipped with an Anti-Theft radio do not do any tests on the electrical system without knowing the radio codes.
TESTING PROCEDURE
1988-90 / 4 cylinder / 50 state models - These models have a test connection near the fire wall or directly behind the air sensor plate.
1988 / 5 cylinder / California models - Records permanent faults.
1988 / 5 cylinder / 49 state models - Does not record permanent faults.
The test light should be connected to the POSITIVE (+) side of the battery and this test plug. The light should now be on, if not reverse the wires. California models will flash the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT for this test.
Turn the ignition to ON but do not start the engine.
Insert a spare fuse or insert the jumper wire into the fuel pump relay for at least 4 seconds, then remove. The beginning of the fault code sequence is a single flash followed by a 2.5 second pause. The next flash series is the first fault code.
Fault codes consist of 4 digits
-1st digit evenly spaced flashes, 2.5sec OFF
-2nd digit evenly spaced flashes, 2.5sec OFF
-3rd digit evenly spaced flashes, 2.5sec OFF
-4th digit evenly spaced flashes, 2.5sec OFF
Each 4 digit code will keep repeating until the fuse is inserted in the fuel pump relay again. When you remove the fuse the second time the next fault code will flash, this will continue until you insert the fuse again.
The end-of-fault display is signaled by a 2.5 second ON light then 2.5 seconds OFF. This is known as code 0000 and will continue until the ignition is turned off.
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