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Comments
my paint chips easily. Has anyone else had this trouble with the paint?
I live in Fairfield, CT. There is a Volkswagen dealership (Miller)just down the road from me, but a few trips there for info and from first impressions, Im not sure what kind of service I would get from them. (But really have no nput to go on) Anyone have any recommendations for mechanics or a good dealership in this area?
Also, thinking about buying a cabrio on line - ebay. can get some good deals if your willing to travel and buy site unseen. But thats just it, buying sit unseen, car undriven. Anyone have any experience with this or know of anyone who has.
Thanks again to everyone who posts. Im looking forward to buying this car as I think the love outweighs most problems.
Take care -
Carrie
I bought my '97 through the Excite classifieds. I asked the seller lots of questions via email and got financing ready before flying down to Arizona and driving the car back to Idaho. I got a great deal on the car (~$4000 under blue book) but it did have some mechanical problems that weren't disclosed to me before I bought it. I even had the seller take it to a mechanic for me to check the car out, but the seller chose the mechanic. I would still buy a car this way in a heartbeat, but make sure YOU pick a mechanic and have the seller take the car there. You might have to pay for an inspection but I would take that extra precaution if I had to do it over again. Also, you may want to do a Carfax lemon check. Research things to ask when buying a car and if possible, take someone with you that will know what to look for when you take a test drive. (I took a test drive in Arizona before buying it and figured if I found problems & decided not to buy the car, it would be a fun little trip anyway.) Good luck!
Laurie
Second, does anyone know how to clean the tan colored headliner on the softtop. hers is covered with black soot from running with the top down and nothing seems to get it clean.
thanks for any info or help you can provide.
I'm not sure what will clean black soot off of the tan headliner. Is she using the boot? That should keep the soot from coming in contact with the headliner. She should be using it anytime she is driving around more than a few miles with the top down.
I have a 97 VW (silver) with a vinyl top. Lately the top has started feeling sticky and is also showing minor cracks.
Also, I don't know from where but there is a smell coming out of the car. I have had it detailed twice and also I showed it to mechanics for any problems they seem to think there is nothing wrong (mechanically) with the car.
Any body in same shoes?.
Ashish
Since I installed the changer on top of the platform where the first aid kit is supposed to go (driver side of the trunk), I had to move the ground wire and wiring harness from the passenger side to the driver. The wire is just held down with adhesive. I then duct-taped the wire to the floor (under the pad) and ran it up to the platform. I used industrial strength velcro to secure the changer. After two extremely humid and hot summers in PA, the changer has not moved once. The velcro acts a natural cushion so no skips. Lastly, I got my father-in-law to secure the ground wire in to the metal floor of the trunk with a sheet metal screw. That was the key. Once that wire was properly seated (I had tried to tape it to metal -- no go), the changer worked perfectly.
Use the ground that's in the Cabrio and you should be in good shape.
Tony
There were few posts regarding 97 and 98 vinyl tops and their problems. Was there a class suit, recall or any settlement with VW regarding this?
Thank you,
Ashish
Thanks for any info
THANKS, DEBBIE
I am looking to buy a Cabrio within the next couple of weeks. I would like to know if buying a manual or power is better. And what is considered low mileage for a VW. I am looking to buy anywhere from a 96 to a 2001 if the price is right and the mileage is right. I have been looking to buy one that has all the extras with power windows etc..... but now thinking that all that isn't important. Trying to make the right choice. Any thought would help. Thanks.
JA
The Brake light has been flashing all the time now when i drive, and it seems like when it flashes, it coincides with a type of rattling noise underneath the hood.
The ABS light has also been coming on. It comes on when I sometimes start the car. When it comes on, the Air Conditioner, among other things, don't work. I only have to turn the car off, and restart it, and then its usually fine.
Does anyone know what could be causing these problems?
Jennifer
I have a 92 5 speed cabrio and have the same problem. Change cables, spark plugs, rotor, distributor cap, air + gaz filters, mass air flow, etc. and I still have this engine skip at idle with a tendancy to die on me when the engine in cold and not to start at all when hot. Plus it skips at high revs. Mechanic is completely lost.
Did you ever find a solution on your side?
I bought a 95 Cabrio about a month ago, and I love this car. It does of course have its "quirks" (aka problems). Was wondering if anyone had any advice for the following (other than the obvious take it to the mechanic!)
1. My driver's side lock (auto lock, door lock, window raising and lowering) just stopped working last night. The key turns but doesn't unlock, arm/disarm the alarm, or raise and lower the windows. The passenger side door does still work, though its a bit of a pain to have to unlock the door every time from the other side of the car.
2. Also the driver's side interior window switch works only intermittently. Sometimes its works fine, other times nothing. Usually after a while (before the key stopped working) I was able to make the window raise and lower with the key. New switch? or new motor?
3. The a/c hasn't worked since I got the car (I knew this) but when I went to add freon, the compressor started turning (as it should) and cycling on and off, so I assume the problem isn't with the compressor. However, the air from the a/c is still warm. Any ideas?
Thanks ya'll.
1. Sounds like a switch has gone kaput in the door or maybe you just lucked out and a plug came loose. Either way, the door panel will have to come off and unless you can find a plug that has come undone, this is best left to the professionals.
2. It's the power window switch or a loose connection. VW's are known for crappy electronics. The fact that it was working with the key means the motor is fine.
3. More then likely you have some sort of leak in the system. The compressor can still be the source of the leak even though it is running. The compressor may also not be pumping properly.
I have a 95 VW Cabrio with an aftermarket alarm on it and I am having similar problems. After I unarm the car with the remote, get inside the car and start the engine, I cannot unlock the door locks with the power door lock button. Is this what you were describing? If it is, the VW dealership told me to take it back to the place where the alarm was installed and have them take a look at it. Right now I have it sitting at Best Buy trying to figure out what's wrong. One thing that could be the possibility (that I'm hoping it is and not something bigger) is that the factory alarm and aftermarket alarm are not communicating correctly or the factory alarm was not properly disabled.
Hope I could help!
My Girlfriend has a 2000 Cabrio and has the low fluid problem with the Convertible Top. I purchased the fluid and for some reason, I can't get the fluid to go into the reservoir. I have the top bolt out and there seems to be some sort of pressure preventing me from adding the fluid. Do you have the instructions from VW that you can post or e-mail to me?
This has been such a pain - the top goes down but can't come back up.
You need a small oil can with a grip pump and hose to fill the reservoir. There's a 90 degree turn from the bolt hole to the reservoir. Once it's filled (should be just above minimum when the top is down - half to full when up) put the bolt back on - but don't tighten. Cycle the top up and down 3-4 times to remove any air bubbles in the lines, then tighten the bolt all the way.
My top sometimes still gets stuck half way up - I just release the button, and tap it again - seems to work.
What type of fluid are you putting in? It should be power steering fluid - that's what VW sold me. It's frustrating that instructions are not in the owners manual - but my local VW dealer was nice enough to fax me instructions from their repair manual.
Any insight is much appreciated... as I am getting ready to take a long road trip. THANKS !
Just purchased a '96 Cabrio this past Tuesday. Relatively good shape for a 10-year-old VW, only had 58k miles on it. Had a few minor issues, had to replace the brake shoes, front rotors, and the valve cover gasket.
I've been considering getting a CD changer for this (car has the Premium sound system, AM/FM/Tape); as I peruse the forum I keep hearing about the CD connector being located somewhere in the rear-right of the trunk. I took a quick peek in last night, but as I'm somewhat unfamiliar with the VW's wiring, I didn't know exactly what I was looking at.
Here's the question: What exactly does the connector itself look like, and which panel/floorborad/whatever to I need to move to find it?
If I was still single, I would probably just keep driving it forever. But I now have two young children (2 and 4 years old) who enjoy riding in their respective child carseats in the rear. My wife is pressuring me to sell it as she is concerned about 1) its lack of airbags, and 2) some other major equipment may fail resulting in personal injury and/or costly repairs.
She drives an Acura MDX that we transport our kids in most of the time and we also own a low mileage 1996 Honda EX (her previous car), now used mostly by the nanny or as a backup.
Curious if others share her concerns? One option is to sell both the Rabbit and the Civic and buy another used (safer) convertible with the proceeds. If so, appreciate your suggestions.
Many thanks in advance,
I have found some stuff on the 'net for jettas that uses a combination of pressing MODE and SCAN buttons, but I do not have a MODE button. My friend suggested pressing the SCAN after entering the code, but that does not do the trick. Anybody out there have an '01 with the proper procedure from the manual, or suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Chris
In my '01 Cabrio...
Radio will display SAFE then 1000
Use preset 1-4 to enter CODE
press on Seek simultaneously
Radio will display frequeuncy and viola! Radio is back!
sorry the editor stripped out the symbols!
Chris
I'm brand new to the Cabrio world and this forum. I'm so excited to be here, because I just bought a 99 Cabrio with only 45k miles in wonderful condition! It's Batik blue/blue with black leather. I've had it for about two weeks, and even though it's been so hot, I've been cruising all over topless (I've even gotten sunburned).
I noticed that there are already some postings about the ABS light coming on, and I was wondering if that is common. Mine came on recently and stays on intermittently. There doesn't seem to be any mechanical problems, no noise from anywhere or problems with AC. I'm wondering what it could be. I'm waiting for a warranty to take effect before I take it to get serviced. If anyone has any guesses, could you please let me know?
I'm also looking for a boot for the top. It didn't come with one. Does anyone know of a good place to look for one that won't be as expensive as a dealership? It can be slightly used or new.
I'll talk to you all later,
Peaches
does anyone know what the white ball like container with a themometer symbol on the cover could be ( when looking into engine it is on the right side back) also where do you add anti antifreeze .
Thank you
swtpea
Thanks,
Jim
I have back problems and never have noticed any issues with using the stick while driving around Metro Detroit which is a testimony to VW's ergonomics in seat design. The only reason to not get a stick would be if you drive in stop and go traffic a lot and insist on eating a lot while driving.
And you don't even have to have a mechanic run the codes, just take it to your local auto parts store, they should have a reader.