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Volkswagen Beetle Maintenance and Repair

11617182022

Comments

  • tin_indiantin_indian Member Posts: 5
    Ok,that makes sense.it is my daughters car,and I cant guarantee hats its always had synthetic, I'm certain that most of its life it's had Puralator filters and Castrol Syntec oil.She has the oil changed at a friends shop and that is what I tell him to put in all our cars.
    I just found out she was WAY overdue for an oil change.after the change the car is back to acting like its normal crappy self.hopefully she didnt do too much damage to the car,I'm not ready to start rebuilding/modifying it yet.
    Thanks for the info about the 2 sensors.
  • tin_indiantin_indian Member Posts: 5
    Both should go without too much trouble through most snow falls,they are both front wheel drive.
    My daughter has a Beetle and the only time she has had any trouble was on an icy patch on the road,and once she got stuck pulling in her driveway after about 8 or 10 inches of snow.That was also the day I got my Caddy Eldorado stuck on her road,I didn't even make it to her driveway.The shovel got a workout that day.
    That said, I would go with the Mini Cooper.I think they are a better built car.We have had trouble with the check engine light coming on all the time.The dealer has replaced a dozen or so sensors,and the latest is something the dealer cant figure out.
    A friend has a Mini S and says he has never had a problem with it,also the Mini has plenty of room for a taller guy(if you ever get to drive her car)my friend is 6'7",I'm 6'even,and I have to move the seat forward when he lets my drive his baby.
  • yellowbug3yellowbug3 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 99 new beetle and the door lock mechanism - the part you put your key in from the outside - is loose and keeps falling out of the door. You can put it back in and everything still works, but I am afraid it will come out when I am driving and then I will have a bigger problem.
  • keygokeygo Member Posts: 38
    My daughter just bought a 2008. It has the basic radio. She bought a connector cord to play her ipod through the MP3 port. She is only getting part of the music playing though the system. The music plays and the vocal do not. To make it even more mucky, there is also a CD stuck in the CD player. I put it in and it clicks but won't come out. Are we doing something wrong or is it a problem with the sound system.
    Thanks for any advice.
  • belaircarguybelaircarguy Member Posts: 107
    I had a problem like this (iPod) and I switched the cord around, plugging in the opposite ends to the iPod and the radio. Believe it or not, the problem was corrected. Not sure why, but it worked. Give it a try.

    Not sure about the CD not ejecting. You may need to take it to the dealer for that one.

    Good luck.
  • keekidoll53keekidoll53 Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2008 Beetle last week I brought my car into the dealership to change out the Ipod jack. THEY BROKE MY STERRO system in the process trying to get the radio out to replace the Ipod jack. The first several months the Ipod jack was fine and then I noticed my cord was NOT secure when I plugged it in. If I went over a bump the cord would fall out of the jack. WHAT A PAIN. They had to order parts as they destroyed quite a few things trying to pull out my radio which they told me was BENT? They had my car for over a week. I just got it back yesterday. Also my mother has a 2008 Beetle we bought them on the same day last April. Her Ipod jack did not work right from the beginning. She had the same problem you are having with your daughters Ipod. She only got half the sound, no VOCALS. They replaced her jack no problem. They did not break her sound system. So, you should take your car into the dealership while it's still under warrenty and have them replace the Ipod jack. Sounds to me like VW has major issues with the Ipod jack they have installed in these new beetles.
  • keygokeygo Member Posts: 38
    She did take it in and they are replacing the radio. I hope she can get the MP3 player working correctly. Thanks for the information and it does sound like something is no quite right.
  • diesel98acharmdiesel98acharm Member Posts: 2
    Hello,
    I am a proud owner of a 1998 VW Diesel Beetle. I adore this car, and try to take care of the exterior and all mechanical maintenance. My husband changes the oil frequently, and the car runs great. 50+ miles to the gallon. However, unfornately, my front Engine Splash Shield is a disaster. I don't know how I have damaged it so much. Needless to say, my husband says it must replaced to protect the Engine. The side mounts are riped and damaged as well. Shame on me!! Please help!! Where can I purchase a new or replacement Engine shield, side mounts as well. Any advice will be appreciated!! Tomorrow, I will visit a VW dealer parts dept. to see what a dealer will charge for this item. I hope I don't have a stroke when they mention thier price? Thanks
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Consider a METAL skidplate... it costs about the same as the factory plastic one.. and actually PROTECTS the engine

    Here are links to 2 different metal skidplates.

    http://www.evolutionimport.com/Volkswagen_Skid_Plates_s/17.htm

    http://www.dieselgeek.com/servlet/Categories?category=Panzer+Skid+Plates
  • diesel98acharmdiesel98acharm Member Posts: 2
    Hello,

    Thank you so much for your reply. I will look at the sites that you suggested.
  • ngreen02ngreen02 Member Posts: 1
    I have a question: I have a '01 GLS Turbo (manual transmisison), and it seems to be having a problem starting after the car has ran. It has no problem cold starting, but if I turn the car off and restart it, it seems to be having problems turning over and I can somewhat smell gasoline. Could it be the fuel pump or O2 sensor (the sensor was replaced 1.5 years ago)? Any info would be great, since it has to go in for an oil change in a couple of weeks.
  • tmfeathertmfeather Member Posts: 1
    does anyone know how to add transmission fluid to a 2003 vw diesel beetls?
  • jenn3cjenn3c Member Posts: 1
    I have a White 98 VW beetle (with automatic windows) and I am looking for a drivers side interior door panel. Is the dealership the best place to get this? I have looked on ebay and just about every site I have come across with no luck so can someone please point me in the right direction? Any help is greatly appreciated
    Thanks
    Jen
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Dealership is the best choice if you dont mind paying the price.

    If you do not mind USED parts... this site will allow you to search 1000s of scrapyards across the conutry.
  • poyopoyo Member Posts: 1
    i ve owned a 2001 VW new beetle
    but this morning when i drive to school,the splash shield had felt down...
    how can i repair this thing?and how can i maintain this splash shield from falling down?
    please help me :cry:
  • keekidoll53keekidoll53 Member Posts: 4
    I owned a 2001 Beetle. It lost the splash guard several times. It's plastic and the car is very low to the ground. It usually has some form of damage or has lost it's bolt that holds it to the under carrige. I removed my splash guard altogether after replacing it twice. I live in warm weather climate, no snow, slush or mud and I don't "off road" with the car so having the splash guard is not that important so I drove without it for years. You need to find a guy at school to get up under your car and remove the front part of the splash guard so you can at least drive the car. Call the nearest VW dealership and ask if they have one in stock (they always do because everyone at some point has a problem with the splash guard because they are so CHEAPLY MADE) Ask a price for the part and install, usually OVER 100.00. Every time you have your oil changed they have to remove the splash guard and by the way the 2001 (2.0) liter engines were OIL USERS!!!! Bad manufacturing of those engines. The "rings" around the pistons were not seated properly (VW knows all about that issue) VW does not even use that same engine anymore!!!! Keep and eye on your dip stick!!!! Hope this helps you understand the splash guard situation.
  • belaircarguybelaircarguy Member Posts: 107
    Jen - I would check with a local car junk yard. These are great sources of used parts and lots cheaper than the dealer. If the local yard does not have a door panel, they can check with other yards (many have the ability to check inventory of other yards). I have purchased tail lights, interior switches (for the fan of the heater) and numerous other items) and been pleased. As you have a 98 beetle, parts should be available.

    Give it a try!

    Bel Air Car Guy.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Have you considerd one of the METAL replacements? They are cheaper than factory plastic ones and actually PROTECT your engine.

    http://www.evolutionimport.com/Volkswagen_Skid_Plates_s/17.htm

    http://www.dieselgeek.com/servlet/Categories?category=Panzer+Skid+Plates
  • whitey15whitey15 Member Posts: 1
    I also have a 2003 convertible...never again!! All four windows have gone out and of course vw won't do a thing about it. Now the back glass has come loose from the top. The fix, go to Hobby Lobby and buy Hammer-tite. It comes with a spray on activator and bottle of glue. It bonds in 10 seconds. The cost is 9.99 plus tax. We were told of this product by a reliable body man who has used it and swears by it.
  • terrya88terrya88 Member Posts: 2
    This is the change prodedure, should give you what you need to know.

    http://pics2.tdiclub.com/gwillie/VW/autoFluidchange.pdf

    T
  • martha15martha15 Member Posts: 1
    Hi can anyone help me. I love my car so much, but today as i was driving back to work it failed the EPC light came one and all of a sudden it would not let me accelerate.I turned it off and back on again and it was shaking but it would not let me accelerate. Can anyone help me and give an idea what would be wrong with it. I was told its the gas pump but i dough it please help. :cry:
  • imbatgirlimbatgirl Member Posts: 6
    If you don't mind, can you email me on exactly how you fixed the window? Mine is off at the top and bottom and the fabric won't reach at the top. I thought about trying to get someone to make me a narrow seam to glue to the fabric and glass in the part where the seam doesn't meet the glass. Not sure what to do but can't get a new top and this top looks brand new other than that. It has shrunk away from the glass. Did you do anything special to the glass other than cleaning it before you did this? Thanks a million.
  • imbatgirlimbatgirl Member Posts: 6
    I called VW to get the replacement clips for the rear window and they will not sell them to me unless I let them put them on and they were too busy to give me a price. Does anyone know where I could get the clips? The man I spoke to said it takes a special tool to put them on. If anyone knows the answer will you please post before the next rain???? I am assuming the clips make the window larger therefore it will reach to where it has shrunk and whereI need it to glue down. If anyone knows of anything else that may work, I am open to rigging it like my back seat windows are rigged! :( Also could anyone post a picture of these clips?
  • techman41973techman41973 Member Posts: 83
    I read the posts regarding the Splash Shield and I have a friend with a similar problem. In a parking lot she scraped the bottom and a large section of the plastic splash shield fell off and she didn't retreive it.
    There are two pieces still firmly attached.
    I found an aftermarket product
    http://www.car-stuff.com/carparts/volkswagenbeetle20032007dormanrb924200352558.h- tml
    for about $50

    My question: Is it necessary to replace the splash shield? She lives in N. California. No snow here.
    Anyone have opinions on going with an aftermarket splash shield?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    That lower engine cover aids in engine-cooling by routing airflow which comes thru the radiator towards the rear of the engine-bay and out. A vacuum is pulled from behind the radaitor due to the airfow ducting.

    That cover may also tend to protect the engine from spashing water... that is a side-affect.

    The common suggestion is to relace a damaged cover with one of the ALUMINUM ones which can actually PROTECT the engine from road-hazzards. Cost is about the same as factory plastic one.
  • skybornskyborn Member Posts: 1
    My power steering just went south at 210,000 miles. I don't want to take it to the repair shop. Seems to have enough ps fluid and what I think is the pump (visible at far left when facing engine) turns ok. Appreciate any Ideas or help. The 98 Deisel engine has been great.
    Thanks
    David
  • melly_mel20melly_mel20 Member Posts: 3
    Hoping for a little advice...
    Recently my air conditioning knob was stuck on number 2 so I gently tried to force it to 3 and the knob made a breaking noise then the air conditioning no longer worked. The knob still clicks when I turn it but no AC comes on.

    Any ideas on what's broken and how hard it will be if I try to fix it myself rather than take it into the $D$E$A$L$E$R$?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    I am trying to understand whay you mean by "air conditioning knob".
    Do you mean FAN SPEED knob? (I beleive it is only knob with numbers)
  • melly_mel20melly_mel20 Member Posts: 3
    You're right. It's the fan speed knob.

    I'm looking at the Haynes manual and it looks pretty easy to remove the center console to get at the knob. It doesn't look like the book really address this knob being broken.
  • dickshomedickshome Member Posts: 1
    I want to install a license plate mounted video camera. It needs to get it's power from the backup light. I found the cable harness in the trunk but need to identify the correct wires so I can splice the camera power leads.
  • beetlejoolsbeetlejools Member Posts: 1
    I have owned a year 2000, 2litre Beetle from new. No problems until 4 months ago when it would not start as usual - battery flat, no lights or power at all. After a couple of hours charging all seemed OK but subsequently if the car was left standing for 3 days or more the same thing occurred. Each time a short period of charging resulted in power and lights and all appeared normal. Since then two new batteries have been fitted by my local garage who have had the car "on test/observation" for a total of 4 weeks but cannot find any fault or battery drain. It has also been tested/observed by the local auto electrical fault specialists who can find nothing wrong at all.

    Clearly something is draining the battery. Does anyone have any experience of this type of problem?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    The switch on the brake-pedal was recalled due to this.... the brake-lights would stay on all the time and drain the battery. As I remember, the switch may INTERMITTINTLY do this... so you need to check your brake-lights EVERY time you walk away from your car.

    If that is not the problem, then a GOOD mechanic would do some electrical tests to determine the problem instead of just selling you a battery. It is pretty simple to hook up an ammeter and pull fuses until the faulty-circuit is lsolated.

    If there is no drain on the battery while parked... then your problem must be the CHARGING system.... again pretty easy to isolate a problem there too. Wallmart sells a nifty little thing that plugs into your ciggerette-lighter socket so you can monitor battery/charging voltage constantly.
  • eds73leds73l Member Posts: 1
    I changed the water pump and timing belt along with the coolant flange and all looked good. I went to go for a drive and the overflow was running gas out of it in a big puddle. I shut it off and took the back tire and wheel well cover off and found it would run gas out at an alarming rate. Is it just coincidence or did I do something wrong when I put it back together. Has someone had this happen to them?
    Thanks
    Eds73L
  • craigkimcraigkim Member Posts: 1
    Hi my wife bought an 02 Beetle petrol 1600cc two years ago it has a full VW service history and only 50k on the clock.
    We had an issue straight away with the coolant system (I was not impressed with our local VW people) but since then all ok.
    A month ago in heavy rain the wipers started to stop in the middle of the screen, and then start again, and then stop.
    We paid the VW people to investigate, they said it was either the wiper motor or the stick switch but didn't know which one. They advised to have both replaced.
    The next day the wipers worked fine and have all month until heavy rain on Friday. Stop start again? Saturday no rain and all is fine again. I am not convinced that replacing the wiper motor and stick switch will fix the problem. Any advice would be much appreciated.
  • jordanbjordanb Member Posts: 1
    Hi there,

    I had the same problem with my car yesterday with the fan knob. It got stuck at 2, I pulled it back down to 0 and now it won't turn on. Did you find a fix for it? I'd like to be able to fix it myself but haven't been able to find replacement pieces and am a little unsure how to take off the cover.

    Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. It's 102 degrees here today.

    Thanks,
    Jordan

    jordan.blasdel@gmail.com
  • kthockey11kthockey11 Member Posts: 2
    1998 New Beetle, 1.9 Gas Engine Non Turbo....Engine is missing, Has a smell of rotten eggs. Lacking power..There has resently been a new catlyatic convertor replaced.Could this be a EGR Vaulve problem? Need help asap
  • kthockey11kthockey11 Member Posts: 2
    1998 New Beetle, 1.9 Gas Engine Non Turbo....Engine is missing, Has a smell of rotten eggs. Lacking power..There has resently been a new catlyatic convertor replaced.Could this be a EGR Valve problem? Need help asap
  • ragdollyragdolly Member Posts: 1
    I have bought vw beetle 2000auto I have the abs light on and revs very high in park
    It has no service history will it need to go to vw dealership for service and repair
  • msthing77msthing77 Member Posts: 1
    my 2000 beetle is doing the same thing......i have noticed that when the key is not in the key hole, the speedometer is still readying mileage etc. that is supposed to turn off when the key is out......that must be draining the battery. also, i have noticed it doesn't always "lock" when i press the lock button on the remote. sometimes i have to unlock once before locking with the remote. it is truly screwed up and the dealer here doesn't know what is wrong either. they act like i am the only person in the world with this problem....after ready this, i know i am not.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    It is normal for the LCD to always be displaying the milage. Liquid Crystal Displays consume VERY little power. A car battery can power one for many months. Your battery draining is NOT that display.

    It is trivial to isolate what is draining the battery. Anyone with electronics skills should be able to pull the fuses while monitoring the battery-current. This will isolate the problem.

    My bet is on the brake-light-switch... there is a reason that VW recalled it TWICE!!
  • alisonartyalisonarty Member Posts: 1
    2.3V5 beetle 54 plate.
    I drove away from being parked. My car didn't want to go although it started well.
    I put my foot on the accelerator to drive off, the car made a loud bang and smoke started coming out from the bonnet and into the car. I turned the car off , took the keys and jumped out, fearing it was going to explode! Once the smoke had died down I opened the bonnet. The engine cover was totaly smashed to bits.
    My car was recovered on a tow truck :(
    The garage say it is the manifold. What does the manifold do?
    They are stripping the engine back to see what other damage was done.
    What ever could cause this to happen? The car was running well..I had an MOT done only a couple of weeks ago. I have been told it will cost 2K to fix. VW garage :sick:
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Are you suggesting that the intake manifold simply blew apart? I would bet somthing else was the root-cause.

    I assume you have photos?
  • brut4orcebrut4orce Member Posts: 7
    I have a 2002 New Beetle 1.8T Automatic.
    Recently the car has been sluggish in changing gears. Sometimes it even jerks a little when shifting from first to second. More noticeable during this first shift and when the car is hot (i.e. driven for a while). Doesn't seem to be normal and was not like this when I first got the car.

    The Car has 42K miles now. So I have taken the car for scheduled maintenance work at a couple of local dealers and they tell me this car does not need any Transmission oil change. The car's manual also does not show anything in regard to this.

    I wonder if this true. I mean, all my other cars (i.e. a few Honda's, one GM, one Chrysler) have needed a transmission oil change at least a few times in the life of the car.

    I did some research and no conventional or synthetic oil lasts forever. Am I missing something here or is the dealer pulling a fast one. Unless VW makes super oil that last forever...???

    Has anyone wondered about this or had their VW Beetle Auto transmission oil changed ever? What's the deal with this? :confuse:

    Is there a way to check the oil condition as I can't find a dip stick or oil filler port?

    Help... Thanks in advance for your replies...
  • brut4orcebrut4orce Member Posts: 7
    I recently had the engine light come on. I got it checked at the nearby Autozone and it turned out to be a P0171 error. The first time I took into the dealership and they replaced the MAF sensor - stating that it was sticking the air flow valve.

    They also replaced the Oxygen sensor.

    Obviously they reset the error. Now about a week of driving I have same error back.
    Does anyone have any advise on what could really be the problem?

    I want to go more informed to the dealer as I feel they got my money but I did not get the fix..
    :sick: - Any advise is appreciated. Thanks in advance.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    I assume you already know that fail is:
    16555 P0171 Fuel Trim,Bank1 System too Lean

    You asked for more details... here is some technical stuff...
    =======start technical stuff =======================
    Your ECM has a memory look up table that tells how long the fuel injectors SHOULD be open, to give correct air-fuel. The Oxygen sensor monitors the exhaust to tell how incorrect the table is. The table is programmed when the car is new and everything works fine. As the car gets old you may have wear & tear and things vacuum leaks, etc. This causes the table to be off. THe O2 sensor tells the ECM how to tweak the fuel injectors back to give the correct air-fuel. Basically, the car learns how to correct the table for the current running condition of the engine.

    In your case the ECM (with O2 sensor) has determined that it has used up its entire fuel injector tweak-tuning range for correct air-fuel. You're running too lean and the car can't add enough fuel to bring the air-fuel back into range. Your either getting too much unmeasured air (air coming in besides through the MAF sensor) or you're not getting enough fuel pressure. That, or the MAF is measuring the incoming air incorrectly.
    ========end technical stuff=============

    The dealership replaced both of the most-likely (and most expensive) components which could cause this failure. (Keep in mind that a NEW part is not always a GOOD part.)

    If I were you, I would inspect ALL the vacuum hoses for cracks/leaks. If air is getting sucked in where it is not supposed to, this error could show up.

    There is an outside chance that low fuel pressure or whimpy fuel injector could cause this too.

    I also have to say that a TURBOCHARGED engine has some other possible items that can cause this. (you do have the 1.8T!)
  • woomera83woomera83 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 beetle with the 01M Automatic transmission, but it is in the shop being rebuilt at this time ($3500). My dealer refused to change the fluid when I requested it.

    I am no longer using any vw dealers.

    The problem I was having, was when the engine was droping below 2000 rpm, the transmission was droping out of gear and the rpm was increasing. I was taking the car to 55 mph and allowing it to slow on its own to 45 mph, the transmission would start to drop out.

    Take your bug to a local transmission shop and have the fluid replaced at least on a 25K basic. dealer are of no help!
  • crystaltranscrystaltrans Member Posts: 3
    Hi there everyone I have worked at a transmission shop for five years. I saw everyone's complaints and am willing to help with what I can :shades: . So for your sensor recurrence issue, it is actually quite common on a lot of vehicles. Sometimes your vehicle will have a code for a certain sensor having a problem the normal fix is to replace the sensor then flush out the fluid if the code comes back your transmission is probably coming apart internally and generating debris from some component. Good Luck! :blush:
  • crystaltranscrystaltrans Member Posts: 3
    I was wondering if replacing or rebuilding the transmission on an 03 Beetle solved the problems of slipping or not having a gear after 2nd (going into limp mode). Thanks Guys! :confuse:
  • keygokeygo Member Posts: 38
    Oh my god. I can't believe how much I am being told it will cost to replace a headlight. A half hour labor and a $20 part on top of the headlight. I can't believe it. I have never had a car where my auto parts place wouldn't put it in for free when I bought the bulb there. Love the car, hate the headlight changing. One poor design.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    With the NB (New Beetle), the ENTIRE headlight assembly slides out the front of the vehicle. Then, you can replace the bulb on your kitchen-table.

    Most people dont know this is how the headlight bulbs in the NB are replaced. It is a BRILLANT design given the lack of space under the hood to put your hands to replace the bulbs.
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