Volkswagen Passat Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • diondonnediondonne Member Posts: 8
    V6 Passat 2003 75K miles
    Had similar hesitation problem for 3 months prior to the #1&6 coil finally failing on the 3 coil pack. Did not throw a code until just prior to total failure. Prior hesitation was probably due to that coil going south. After replacing coil pack it performed like a new car. Plenty of power and no hesitation. [I had PO301 & PO306 -- OBDII]
    These are the codes for each coil sensor, the coil pack has 3 coils, so you should show 2 of these codes when a coil fails totally. Some parts stores have a reader you can borrow to check the system codes. Or your local mechanic can check for them.
    P0301 Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
    P0302 Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
    P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
    P0304 Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
    P0305 Cylinder 5 Misfire Detected
    P0306 Cylinder 6 Misfire Detected
  • dontudaredontudare Member Posts: 12
    I just purchased the above car and although I love the ride, I find sometimes when i come to a stop I feel like the bottom of my car is falling out. It's like a kerplunk..hard to explain but could this be something with the transmission? I thought maybe I was coming to a stop to quickly but it's intermittant. It sort of bucks after the stop with a thump sound. Is this normal?
  • gadomgadom Member Posts: 16
    Anyone know an easy way to get to the front side marker lights on a 2006. I do not want to drive 30 minutes to the dealer for what should be a 2 minute task. The side marker lights have been crammed in to a corner and the placed in a recessed pocket. I have an average sized arm but it is too big to get in an grab the housing for the light.
  • bschroeder20bschroeder20 Member Posts: 4
    I have exactly the same problem. Had the STOP, Brake Fault, Service Manual light appear on and off for about 1 week and then it went away. It started again this week. Not sure if it is the change in temp, but it continues to go on and off.
    Did replacing the switch @ the Dealer fix the problem?
  • dontudaredontudare Member Posts: 12
    I had this happen yesterday. I bought my passat last week and yesterday the abs light came on with the another symbol light. Plus my car would buck when I would stop. The dealer replaced the brake switch and the light went out, the car still bucks, or lurches-- very annoying. I am taking it back to the dealer tonight. This was one of the things I was afraid of after I bought the car and started reaading all the vw posts
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    Did you check the brake fluid level?
  • dontudaredontudare Member Posts: 12
    I wouldn't think I had to check the brake fluid since I bought a certified car just last week and they told me they changed the brake fluid. The certified report didn't show that they did and when I questioned it they said it was changed at the 20000 mile check up. Someone told me it could be the drums. I know on the report that they had to grind down the rotors -- not sure if it is related
    I dropped the car off tonight -- will let you know.
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    You don't say what year you have, but the current and last iterations of the Passat did not have drums.
  • misto7misto7 Member Posts: 6
    I thought replacing the brake light switch fixed the problem, but then the next morning it started happening again... only more often. It happens every time I make a right-hand turn. It was like this for two days, and then nothing again for another week. I took it back to the dealer who said they "suspect" that it's a faulty sensor in the brake fluid container because the brake system is functioning normally otherwise. They will fix that for ANOTHER $200. I took my car back without the repair and I'm investigating other options... a different dealer, a local guy, or maybe raising hell with the service manager. I'll keep you posted since it continues to happen... and only on right-hand turns!!!!
  • dontudaredontudare Member Posts: 12
    I have a 2004 glx v6 -- I don't know what is causing it, hopefully they will find out today. On another message in this forum someone mentioned they had the same problem and it had something to do with the "rotor being out of round?" But the mechanic said that the wheel would vibrate if that were the case.
  • dontudaredontudare Member Posts: 12
    Is there anyone out there that is happy with their vw, PASSAT Specifically? I am stressing over the fact that I bought a used 2004 passat because I thought it would be a good car for alot of driving -- one post said that they can't take alot of miles? Then there are hundreds of horror stories. I did not realize that VW had such a horrible reputation and now I feel like I am in for years of expensive repairs on my car. Is there anyone that is happy?
  • johnc_5johnc_5 Member Posts: 3
    I purchased the 2007 3.6 4motion wagon a few months ago. I have 6k miles on it and on just the other day the engine backfired and shut down. When I started the car, the engine would turn on then shut right down. This happened just after filling the tank with gas (for what that's worth). Yes, it's under warranty and was towed off to the dealership.

    I am writing this post because it's been a week and the dealership cannot figure out what is wrong. They initially said it was what they were calling a 'module' in the ignition that needed to be replaced. It took 2 days to get that part in which they did and it didn't work. They told me yesterday that they need to bring in a specialist to continue the diagnosing.

    Can anyone offer any advice? I love the car but am pissed that I bought this high end vehicle and now I have to drive a crappy rental they provided, a compact hundai!
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    I'm still pretty happy after more than 4 years of ownership. All I've done is tires and rear brakes. But I'm a fanatical about maintenance, synthetic oil, and premium fuel.
  • bschroeder20bschroeder20 Member Posts: 4
    I was going to post that I believed the problem only occured when bearing right or during a right turn. But I thought I must be crazy. The VW is a 2002 Passat.
    I have exactly the same problem.

    It's driving me crazy.
    I do believe that it is a senor in the brake fluid container also. It also seems to be outside air temp sensitive. I am in Philly and the problem started with the change of weather. Do you keep you car in the garage?
    Many the change in temp during the drive casues it to flake out.

    Thanks.
  • misto7misto7 Member Posts: 6
    Sounds like we've got the exact same issue. Mine's a 2003 Passat GLS. I do keep it in a garage and it happens during my first turn in the morning so I don't think it's temprature related although I'll test that theory in the coming days. Today I noticed that when I stopped at a traffic light while the alert was in progress, it remained flashing until I released the brake... about a minute and a half. It normally stops flashing after about 10 seconds. I'm not sure how that's related but it is different behavior.

    I'm in the Allentown, PA area but I've been going to North Penn Imports in Colmar Pa -- on 309 just north of Philly. VW customer service won't help me b/c of the mileage on the car -- 70,000. I guess I'll try my luck with the service manager at the dealer when I get completely fed up with it.
  • berkmanberkman Member Posts: 1
    We've got a 2004 passat. The red rear lights are on:
    a pair on the left, a pair on the right, and the one in the middle just below the
    roof. The rear white lights are not on. Headlights, etc. are not on. We just
    discovered this when we went outside. What do we do?
  • tjle21tjle21 Member Posts: 1
    I hope someone can give me some advice with a problem I'm having. Bought a 1996 auto Passat about four months ago and the dashboard lights do not stay on for longer than five minutes, sometimes they go dead within seconds of starting the car. If I leave the car for a few hours they will usually work again, but only for a few minutes until they go off, start the cycle again. I've been to the local VW dealership several times and lost all faith in them. Their final diagnosis was that there was a fault in the circuit board for the dashboard and the whole thing needed replacing at a cost of over £500. As I only paid £900 for the car I didn't take them up on this, especially considering how unimpressed I was with their 'customer service', I'm not entirely sure whether this is a correct diagnosis of the problem anyway.

    The other problem I've been having, and not sure if this is related or not, is that the battery has now drained three times for no apparent reason. The first two times were whilst I was waiting for someone, sat in the car with the engine off but key in the ignition and radio on. Those occasions were for no more than 5 minutes and the battery was completely dead. The recovery guy that came out the first time said the battery looked new and in good condition and couldn't work out why it should have died. The third time, this weekend, was overnight. Drove the car home with no problems, car wouldn't start the next day until someone jump started me.

    Has anyone had any of these issues before? I really don't know what to try next. I don't trust the VW dealer, but not sure that a local independent garage could help either, and I really don't want to throw even more money at it without being sure something could be solved.

    Thanks in advance...
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Here in the U.S. at least, the 1996 instrument cluster was HIGHLY suspect, or said another way, it was very fragile. The following link will take you to a post of mine from about a year ago about my 1995 Passat GLX (mine was a 5-Speed) that had a 1996 instrument cluster installed under warranty about 9 months after I bought the car.

    shipo, "Mileage Fraud!! Odometer was rolled back!!! What 2 do?" #42, 30 Jan 2006 10:19 am

    So, assuming that you took a look at my tale, my suggestion would be for you to contact a local independent shop and have them do the work. You can buy the cluster yourself from VW or have the shop do the purchase, either way my bet is that the new cluster, along with installation won't set you back more than two hundred and fifty pounds, three hundred at the most.

    Let us know how you make out. ;)

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • brozhnikbrozhnik Member Posts: 172
    My 2003 Passat 1.8T (72K miles) has begun making a noise in the last few days (we've had wintry storm weather, in case that's relevant). The noise, which is subtle, not loud, seems to come from about where I think the turbocharger is. It occurs immediately AFTER i remove my foot from the gas pedal and lasts a second or two. Not sure how to describe it- not a rattle exactly, not a boing exactly, not a hiss exactly - more like someone breathing out the word "heh" without any voice. Drawn out for a couple of seconds. But somehow I sense an element of boing or maybe of rattle.... Anyway, not loud; upper-middle in pitch; steady - I could imitate it but can't describe it well. (If I get super-ambitious maybe I coudl try to record it and put up an mp3.... don't count on it.)

    One thing that may be more informative: if I'm coasting at very low speed and use the pedal to give only a little more gas, so the engine stays in the lower 1000 rpm range, the sound does NOT happen. But if I give it more gas (not necessarily enough to get to 2000 rpm, but near it), I get the noise as soon as I let go of the pedal. So that makes me wonder if it's the turbo.

    If anyone is still with me -- (a) any idea what this is? (b) is it a problem or just normal and no problem?

    Thanks!
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    Without doubt, it's the brake switch on the brake pedal. Common issue on thw Passat. You'll find that you can move the auto transmission shifter without applying the brakes, too.

    First, pull the fuse so you don't kill the battery - sorry, I don't remember the number. This means that you won't have any brake lights - either replace the fuse when you drive it in or be dang careful without 'em. Don't disconnect the battery, you'll lose a lot of settings - throttle position, power windows, etc.

    If you're under warranty, then you're covered. If not, I think it took less than hour to repair. I think the part is cheap. I was under warranty when mine went.
  • krzysskrzyss Member Posts: 849
    2003 1.8T VW Passat Wagon

    70K miles. I am quite happy too.
    Mobil 1 0W40 (VW502.00 approved oil) from begining (even though my dealer was using "regular" 5W30 I was bringing my own oil) and premium fuel.

    Krzys
  • dingstuffdingstuff Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2006 Passat Diesel Wagon. I had all of the same problems you all had.... the brake lights staying on and the ABS light staying on, I kept in in my garage.

    Anyway I found and obscure link to a web site that mentioned a story about trying to get VW to recall the cars for this exact issue and VW refused. The dealer knows about the problem and all you have to do is call them and have the brake sensor fixed. The incorrect sensor makes the car believe the tire pressuere is wrong and the brake fluid pressure is wrong so the ABS comes on without any warning or reason. It is important to make sure your tires are properly inflated. I did find that out from the dealer as well. Incorrect tire pressure can cause your ABS system to not work properly.

    This is a known VW issue at all delearships. They just don't tell you until it happens to you.

    I took mine to the dealership and they had it for three days. I haven't had a problem since.

    J.Price
  • brozhnikbrozhnik Member Posts: 172
    ...still not solved. But this evening the "check engine" light came on (the little icon that looks like an engine - malfunction indicator light, or whatever they call it). So... tomorrow, to the dealer to see what the code is. Not sure it has anything to do with the noise (could be coincidence?) Will let you know. Hope it's..... inexpensive.....
  • repak1repak1 Member Posts: 9
    Hello. Would you please E-mail me and let me know what the problem was with your 99 passet misfiring. My step daughter has a similiar problem, Is it the wires or posibly be an electrical problem. Thank you George at GEREPAK@AOL.com
  • passat94passat94 Member Posts: 2
    What sort of noise is it? I have a 94 Wagon and I have all sorts of electrical problems. Currently, there is a high pitched, moaning sound that seems to be coming from under the back tires and the car feels stiff when in first or neutral. Any suggestions?
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    I'm not sure what this noise is...but I did enjoy reading your attempts at describing it! Tough thing to do...

    A thought - might be the diverter valve, below the turbo. That valve helps reduce turbo lag.

    Excerpt from millteksport.com:
    What does a diverter valve do?
    The standard valve in your car regulates the turbo power. At idle, your valve is open from vacuum pressure. When you depress the throttle, the diverter valve begins to close. When fully closed, turbo boost is allowed to be delivered to your engine. When you lift the throttle, the boost pressure is released from the valve into your air cleaner box.
  • brozhnikbrozhnik Member Posts: 172
    Thanks, guys, for the input. I took it to a non-dealer mechanic I trust today. He said the noise is not a problem - said it's a solenoid that's involved with the turbo, and the sound is normal.
    Meanwhile, his Snap-on tools code reader explained why the check engine light came on - needs a new O2 sensor (the front, upstream one). His total estimate: $389 (part, labor, and estimate - that estimate I can separate out if I have the job done elsewhere- estimate would just be $63).
    Another guy says he can replace the 02 sensor for $245 parts and labor. The dealer - just parts and labor is $401! That one is easy to eliminate.
    Anyway, the mechanic said it's ok to drive it for now, I'll just get worse gas mileage, but it doesn't need immediate repair.
    Any comments?
    Thanks again.
  • bindhubindhu Member Posts: 20
    Hello Altair,
    I have couple of questions for you. My wife has a Passat 2000 GLS with 2.8 L engine with 54000 miles on it that i take care of and it has given me of course a lot of problems. The ABS module had to be changed, the dealer wanted 1200 $ i followed your advice and got it pulled out and i sent it to Florida, total cost, 360 $, but the heater does not work, the independant mechanic who worked on it said he had to change the control module that commands the blenddoor but the heater core is plugged up and needs to be changed, it is at least a day work since you have to pull the control panel of the car to get access to it, i am planning to change at the same time the water pump which is leaking and might as well change the timing belt and so on. I ordered the whole kit. The check engine light is also turning on once in a while and also a message about emissions on the dashboard. It might have something to do with the sparkplugs that have been put about 2 years ago, a set of 4 prongs bosch. The dealer recommends ngk bkr6ekub, he sells them at 11.99 $ a piece, kragen sells the same at 7.99 but also sells ngk bkr6e at 1.99 $ a piece. Is there a difference with ou without that kub? Thank you in advance.
  • bindhubindhu Member Posts: 20
    Hello everybody,
    I have a question regarding the sparkplugs for a Passat 2000 GLS 2.8 L. According to the dealer, the spark plugs to use are NGK BKR 6 E KUB, they sell them at 11.99 $ a piece. Kragen sells the same at 7.99 $ and they have to order thgem but they also have in stock NGK BKR 6 E without KUB for 1.99 $. What is the difference? What are the best sparkplugs for that particular engine.
    I still have in the car BOSCH 4 prongs spark plugs that wre put in for the 40 K schedule, but a check engine light comes on the dashboard and it could be related according to the dealer who says BOSCH sparkplugs might misfire and damage the head.
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    Bindhu, I don't have much experience with the V6. Personally, I would stick with the spark plug recommendation from the owner's manual. You can always buy online and save a few bux. Try getcoolparts.com, stopshopanddrive.com, Rock Auto, etc. The first two have free shipping if you spend over $50. Probably could buy the plugs, an engine air filter, and cabin air filter and hit the free shipping level.

    I was glad that you could save $840 on the ABS!

    The heater core is a labor-intensive problem...good luck.
  • jenneka1jenneka1 Member Posts: 1
    I bought a 2000 Passat about a year ago, and it didn't come with a manual, so I was wondering if anybody knows what this indicator light means... It's a circle with three dots on the left of the circle and three dots on the right of the circle. this light just came on and I'm a little worried. I'm a little dissapointed in the dealer who sold me this car, without also telling me that the ABS was shot. Please, help me with this light issue!! :cry:
  • 3screwsloose3screwsloose Member Posts: 116
    Stand up and cheer! You have a car with automatic brake lights/tail lights. Not everyone can brag about that!
  • 3screwsloose3screwsloose Member Posts: 116
    I cannot believe the number of posts from those of you who do not have an owners manual. How do you operate your vehicle without knowing what is supposed to happen whenever you push some button? Owners manuals are available at the dealer. They may cost some, but why/how would you want to be without one? Especially when a safety system like brakes/steering is involved.
  • 3screwsloose3screwsloose Member Posts: 116
    Nope, never heard of it. Doesn't seem like it should be a chronic problem unless you live at the bottom of a salt mine.
  • 3screwsloose3screwsloose Member Posts: 116
    Well, first they need to determine what the fault code is. then they have to check to make sure the fuse/ground circuit/wiring is fundamentally sound - no wreck/rodent/abuse damage. Sometimes owners spill stuff like Coke/coffee into delicate areas like the shifter or leave the sunroof open and go thru a carwash/overnight rainstorm and "forget" to mention it during the write-up for service. I worked on a car for several days trying to determine if it had a current draw without any success in finding one - the owner then said he "might" have left the headlights on. WHOOPPEE! Then they have to check the component, in this case the stop light switch. Then an estimate is made and passed on to the owner. Then if the owner wants it repaired the car may have to be taken apart again to gain access to the switch and then the faulty part replaced. After all that a test drive is performed to confirm the repair - as much as possible on a 1-3mi test drive. Then upon return to the shop the fault codes are checked again to make sure there are no new problems. Then the owner comes and pays for the repair and after 2-3wks if the problem doesn't resurface we call the thing fixed.
  • misto7misto7 Member Posts: 6
    Interesting assessment there. Without spilling any coke or leaving my headlights on, the STOP, etc warning became more and more frequent over the past couple of weeks until yesterday. On my way home from Philly the warning came on almost non-stop. About a block from my home, I suddenly felt a grinding under my feet accompanied by a loud "wrrrring" noise. I crept the rest of the way home and had the car towed down to the dealer. I had an appt on Monday at the dealer anyway to replace the brake fluid resovoir since they suspected a sensor was malfunctioning. Something tells me it's more than a senser.
  • arbnsdarbnsd Member Posts: 4
    I bought a 2006 passat 2.0T, and in almost one year to the day, had the engine replaced with a "factory rebuilt engine". VW of America's response: "Good thing its under warranty". A gear in the oil pump failed, no oil got to the engine. I asked why were there no warning lights, indicators or something.....? VW does not stand behind their car, buy a Honda or Toyota! I loved my car. I am so dissappointed. Anyone else have major repairs to their new Passat?
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    See my response to you in the Passat 2006+ discussion.

    Best Regards,
    Shipo
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Just to keep the conversation in one place - and less confusing! - I moved a post. Here's the link: lilengineerboy, "Volkswagen Passat 2006+" #2074, 9 Feb 2007 5:59 am.
  • edbeaedbea Member Posts: 2
    I am looking at buying a 2002 passat wagon with 105,000 miles and a replacement engine with 32,000 miles on it, originally from an Audi. 1.8l turbo. The car has been driven 20 miles since the engine was put in. The car looks and drives nicely, but the passenger side rear door electric lock and window don't work, and the check engine light is on. Are these problems indicators of a nightmare to come, or little things easily fixed?

    Your advice welcomed.
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    Window and door could be indicative of a wet CCM, which is $$$.

    I'd never, ever, buy a car with a "check engine" light lit on it. Without the codes, you're completely in the dark. Get the codes pulled at an Autozone or Advance Auto Parts and see what they are and post'em here or check them on the web. Could be relatively cheap fix, could be expensive, who knows? With a replacement engine install, you could spend a lot of money chasing down the MIL issue. The vehicle won't pass emissions inspection (at least in my state) with the light on.

    My advice is, unless you are 1) really mechanically inclined, 2) know current VW's, 3) have another car as your primary vehicle, 4) have a lot of spare cash, you should run, not walk, run, away from this vehicle.
  • edbeaedbea Member Posts: 2
    Altair4: Thank you for the input. I think I'll take option 4...I'm running right now.
  • thesherriffthesherriff Member Posts: 11
    I had the same problem for almost a year--engine housing module seal needed to be replaced, so THEY (VW) said. It's hasn't leaked since.
  • jrzthunderjrzthunder Member Posts: 1
    Hi guys, I would like to know how to adjust the headlights in my 2002 passat. I just put in slyvaina silver star headlights and I need to adjust them. The dealer wants 50 bucks to do this.
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    The "how" to actually move them is easy - there are two adjusting screws visible in the bulkhead above the headlights, under the hood. One moves them in and out, the other up and down. Go easy on the adjusters, though, as they are plastic and have been known to crack. You'll know if this has happened because the headlight will drop down and be lighting up your feet as you stand in front of the car.

    The "how to adjust them properly" is different. I cranked my upward to compensate for the very sharp cutoff of these headlight lenses. In my area, where there are lots of dips and valleys in the roads, the sharp cutoff was virtually rendering me blind of the next climb when descending a dip.

    Google "Headlight adjustment" for some guides on how to measure the proper setting.
  • jpmnovajpmnova Member Posts: 15
    I recently had the fuel tank door break off of my 2001 Passat. I've been searching all over the net to try to find a replacement (in beige) - does anyone either know where I could find this or know how to get at the part number? Thanks!
  • satishleosatishleo Member Posts: 8
    Hi Ion,

    Did you get this fixed, i have a 1999 passat and I have same problem. Please let me know how you have fixed it.

    Thanks for all your help
    Satish
  • satishleosatishleo Member Posts: 8
    Hi Ion

    I have exact same problem. Please help me fix it.

    Thanks
  • satishleosatishleo Member Posts: 8
    Please let us now how you fix this problem ?
  • barnbarn Member Posts: 1
    I have a Passat 2002 1.8T.... with lots of problems
    oil sludge...be carefull $$$$$$

    Anyway the latest....when I put the signal to turn left or right....the tic-tac sounds stay on.
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