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One can TEST the reverse lights by pulling the connector and "jumpering" the connector. (simulating the switch closing) the reverse lights should remain on as long as the jumper is in place. If this test WORKS, then the swith is the problem. If this test DOES NOT WORK, the the problem is not the switch.
For future reference: It is EXTREEMLY RARE that 2 bulbs will burnout at the same time. Just the fact that they both quit working at the same time tells me that somthing common to them is the problem.
In Europe, it is not unusual for each engine-type to have a specified oil. In general, Europeans tend to take this in stride and use EXACTLY what is recommended (Viscosity and performance specifications)
In the USA, most Americans tend to ignore what is recommended and use what they think is best. With todays engines, this is not a good idea.
Even most of the US-named vehicles have recommended 5W30 for many years... but Americans keep putting 10W30 in them.
For example, the 2004 TDI engine REQUIRES VW 505.1 oil, anything less will harm the engine. It is ONLY available at the VW dealerships. Previous to 2004, the TDI REQUIRED synthetic oil that has 5W40 and meets VW505.0 specs.
Even Honda now recommends 5W20 oil for some engines.
BOTTOM LINE: Use what is recommended, if you are still disatisfied with the idle, then go from there.
You may even choose to follow the suggested oil-change intervals and start saving money, time and the envrironment. (3000 mile oil-changed are ONLY recommended by the folks that get PAIED to change the oil.)
Jetta owners have reported accidentally ripping their bumpers off when parking too close to parking stops or curbs. A class action suit is forming.
Please contact Jeannine Fallon - jfallon@edmunds.com today (June 2) if you want to share your story about this.
Spoiled Jetta spoilers lead to class-action suit
A lawsuit against Volkswagen alleging a design flaw in 1999-2002 Jettas was recently certified as a class action by a Miami-Dade Circuit judge.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/8822482.htm (registration required - free)
Thanks
I never had it repaired.. Maybe this suit will help me?
Re-orginal question is the socket still "hot" when the car is off? If not I'll try some other ways.
There is a dedicated fuse for each power outlet. just pull the fuse if you are concerned. (I suspect, with a penny in there, that the fuse may allrady be blown.)
Anything that can be charged in the car is almost "free" electricity because the alternator is spinning anytime you are driving.
My daughter lives "off the grid" without any electric power available for many miles around. She seems do do very well with solar panels and batteries. She even has a computer with internet connection.
It seems ironic that I make my living working at a computer-chip manufacturing plant yet try to save pennies off of my electric bill. I guess that is part of why I drive a TDI.
Thanks
Thanks
I happened to have an applointment at the dealership for the 20K mile service, their computer-reader was able to tell the what part of the diagnostics has been failing. They orderd a part called "steering sensor" and claim that will fix it when it is installed.
The "shifting out of park" problem has been most-often traced to a mis-adjusted brake-light switch on the brake-pedal. If your VW does not sense that the brake-pedal is pushed, it will NOT come out of park.
Unless this self-adjuster is not working, there is very little you can do to to make the clutch operation any better.
So, what you need to do is to pick up some gasket cement (the kind that stays goopy forever... not the hardening kind) at an autoparts store. Then pull the Tstat cover again and put a thin coat of that gasket cement on BOTH sides of the gasket and re-assemble.
You will never have another leak at that point agian.
But VW refused to cover the cost. I am writing to Customer Relations to see if they are willing to cover the recall repair. I'm posting this here in case anybody else has had this experience and is interested in my situation.
The link below is for the EPA press release:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/51b9e9efe0d25b3d85256b- 3e00634d10?OpenDocument
And following up on my post earlier: You will remember that the EPA had reported that VW recalled more than 300,000 cars with faulty 02 sensors. Mine should have been one of them (my car fits the description in the EPA press release), but VW had refused to cover the cost.
I wrote to Customer Relations to see if they were willing to cover the recall repair. I also sent a copy of my letter to the EPA. It was the copy to the EPA that got a response. EPA referred me to Jim Kamradt at VW, who has promised to reimburse me for the repair, but the check hasn't arrived yet.
Yes, I have had some problems with these cars -- problems that you have read about on this board frequently, including the window regulators.
And yes, the dealer service leaves a lot to be desired in Austin, Texas if you own a VW ...
BUT the company has stood behind the product and with a little extra effort from me they've covered every problem I've had, even if the item affected wasn't under warranty.
My only maintenance costs for 120,000 combined miles (both cars) have been the routine service items.
here are my annoyances...
1 - radio/stereo: recently wouldn't turn on. after pulling the fuse, turning off the car, and restarting it was fine.
2 - radio/stereo: tends to go into safe mode whenever it feels like it. in the last 2 years, its happened at least 7 times.
3 - radio/stereo: it has sucked in my tapes and not let go twice. the 1st time it held on to it for about 6 months and randomly spit it out. its happened again and though it hasn't been 6 months, it still hasn't given it back. both times it doesn't recognize its got it.
4 - radio/stereo: the volume knob sometimes doesn't work - not my imagination -its happened to my friends driving my car.
5 - front passenger window - it hasn't dropped into the door - but it does have a mind of its own. if you want the window to go up, it will go up part way but then go down. and vice versa. is this the same problem as the regulators everyone's posted about?
6 - gas gauge: sometimes my gauge slowly shows i'm losing gas, even though i'm not. it slowly returns to read accurately, but is still annoying. this has happened a few times. the most recent time - it actually went from half to empty then back to half quite quickly (like it lost power or something)... and then repeated it again but more slowly. it only corrected itself when i filled the tank.
7. bad rear sound like the shocks - saw someone else post about this - all is well in the back end per the mechanic, yet we still here it when going over rough terrain or dips. most prevalent when carrying weight in the back (trunk or passengers).
i'm worried that i'm starting too see the slow death of my fun car.
has anyone else experienced these problems? any advice on how to inexpensively fix them?
thanks in advance!
http://www.z3bimmer.com/OffTopic/E24Bimmer/Gummi/
Owner of a 99 1/2 Jetta GLS (new body style). I WAS the proud owner of a 95 Jetta GL which never gave me problems for 4 years other than the normal wear and tear. I thought since I had such great luck with my 95 that when the new body style came out in 99, I just had to have one. What a regrettable decision. I pray every night for my 95 back.
1) As everyone on this website, Not 1, not 2, but 4 window regulators broke.
2) Greasy substance constantly leaking out of doors.
3) Cup holders broke, coin tray in back seat broke, chrome shifter button falls off, Interior lining around windows peeling coming off, 2 circle like plastics on side of Coin tray pop off, ect...
4) Sunroof replaced 2 times.
5) Coolant leaks
6) I also sometimes have problems with getting out of PARK. Gear Shift seems stuck. Have taken to dealer, they state no problem.
7) Has 02 sensor changed due to ReCall.
8) Check Engine Light on X 1year. Have taken in, Dealer states no problem and re-sets it...Comes back on in 3 days.
9) Replaces both front shocks.
10) My car is not modified or lowered. Black Plastics under wheel well have both ripped off. I don't even know when.
11) CD Player works only when its in a good mood. Tape player stopped working about 1 year ago.
12) AC system stopped working. Took to a Radiator/AC Auto Shop, its a electrical malfunction.
13) Lastest problem is possible Motor Mount or drive shaft issues?? Its at a dealership right now.
Does anyone else feel my pain??? Does anyone have any suggestions??
only had one headliner problem - it grew mold! they replaced it entirely. oh, and the beige leather seats discolored - replaced as well.
How does a parts recall work?
First time dealer repair cost $250, next went to local garage and told them problem (and only cost $60!!)
On a side note, someone told me I need my ATF fluid changed. I don't see this on routine maintenance. Anyone with thoughts?