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Volkswagen Passat Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • urbannomadurbannomad Member Posts: 14
    I hope it a simple problem. That is all I can wish for now.
  • shiposhipo Member Posts: 9,148
    Agreed. It isn't an unheard of thing for the oil pressure sender to go bad.
  • urbannomadurbannomad Member Posts: 14
    when the a/c is on the shaking also intensifies.
    Keeping fingers crossed for a simple problem.
  • sklfkrsklfkr Member Posts: 1
    WOW!
    Allot of good information here.
    I just bought a used 2001 Passat with around 92K on it and since I dont have the maintenance records Im gona replace the timing belt to be safe. After reading what you guys have suggested im going with http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volkswagen/Passat/Engine/290/4 and I'm doing it myself. One side note for anyone who may not know I called the dealer out of curiosity and to replace the timing belt, both tensioner's, water pump, yada, yada, yada $1000 +.

    I've also no idea of what the security code for the radio is (Thanks for the info guys) so I'll have to spend $66 bucks and 30 min at the dealer for that.

    Question:
    Since right now money is tight and I really cant afford the kit and the Bentley manual are there any 2001 1.8 timing belt replacement procedure write ups that any of you guys may be aware of?

    I did find one thats pretty good but is a couple of years older than my model so things like the hydraulic tensioner are obviously missing. Im sure most if not all the info in this write up will help.

    Read it here: http://www.taligentx.com/passat/maintenance/timingbelt/

    If you don't know of any write ups that I can use is it possible to augment the link above with the missing steps or any suggestions?

    Thanks in advance guys
  • lawoman1lawoman1 Member Posts: 4
    I purchased a 1999 Passat for my daughter a month ago. All was fine until we noticed a small oil leak. My husband said it was no big deal and when he had the time he would look at seals/gaskets,etc. Now she has come home for a visit and her malfunction indicator light has come on and this being a holiday weekend we are thinking that , great we already are starting in with problems. I bought the car from a small dealership and bought a warranty, but does anyone know if this is a major problem or not. The light is fixed and NOT blinking ...yet. She only comes home on weekends as she works 75 miles away. Do I need to give her my vehicle and get this to a shop ASAP??? :confuse: Thanks
  • chuckhansonchuckhanson Member Posts: 16
    I have a 2005 Passat Stationwagon diesel. I would like to know how to replace the head lights and day running lights. I have one out on each side. I have 70,000 miles on the car and it just passed the 70,000 mile warranty. Of all the luck.

    Thank you,

    Chuck Hanson
  • cragg3rcragg3r Member Posts: 16
    I have the same car and my oil drips were due to a gasket leak. Once that was fixed the leaks stopped. Depending on the mileage of the car, you should look into the belts and water pump as well.
  • cragg3rcragg3r Member Posts: 16
    Its real easy and you can figure it out if you open the hood and check behind the light housing. There should be a clip that you can unhook... I forget exactly but it was easy to figure out. Then the whole thing will come out. Unplug it and remove the back cover. Replace the old bulb with the new and hook it back in. Try it... you shouldn't break anything. But I heard you shouldn't touch the new bulb on the glass in case the moisture and oils on your hand got on it and when it heats up ... something something.. yada yada... basically lowers the life of the bulb? Can someone confirm this? Anyway, it should be easy!
  • lawoman1lawoman1 Member Posts: 4
    Thanks for the answer! My husband called the dealer today where we bought it and he is taking it in for them to check the leak on Monday and we will go from there. It has 106,000 miles and the carfax report only showed regular maintenance at the original dealership (was a leased car) I am hoping it is not major as I don't want to regret buying another VW. She use to drive a 1987 Jetta and it was good while she was in H.S., but it had it's share of problems too being a old used car. She just could not afford a new car having graduated college last year......so I am keeping my fingers crossed because she loves this car already and it really was kept in good shape, hopefully under the hood as well!! ;)
  • krzysskrzyss Member Posts: 849
    with 106K I hope you changed timing belt, if not do this now. Solid "Check engine" light could be something stupid like not tightening gas cap to something major.
    Good luck.

    Krzys
  • chuckhansonchuckhanson Member Posts: 16
    Thanks for the tips. I managed to get the bulb replaced without trouble. It was the driver's side. If it had been the passenger side it would have been a different story. A lot of things have to be removed to get to the bulb on that side.

    Thanks again,

    Chuck Hanson
    Memphis, TN
  • rsracerrsracer Member Posts: 1
    The solid engine light or "malfunction indicator" light is most likely the catalitic converters or the oxygen sensors. Parts for the two catalitic converters will run about $1300.00, sensors aroung $600.00. This is an emissions issue, the light becomes an engine light when it starts blinking and you should immediately pull over and stop the engine when this happens. It is okay to drive the car if the light is solid. Depending on the mileage on this car it may or may not be covered under federal emissions warranty. I don't know how much coverage the warranty you purchased covers. I know this because I have been through it twice at 68,000 and again at 126,000 miles. True it could be something as simple as not having the gas cap tight, but I doubt it if my evil passat is any indication. Good Luck.
  • lawoman1lawoman1 Member Posts: 4
    Hi...just an update on the 99 Passat with the MIL problem. The oil leak was the valve gasket and the MIL was due to secondary air flow....a hose was loose. The dealer (who is a small independent) has been great even gave us a loaner! I know my daughter will be glad to get it back as it really does run great. :)
  • rbk3rbk3 Member Posts: 34
    Hi Lawoman, Sounds like DaJaVu to me. I just got rid of my 02 passat. Had air hose replaced, valve cover gasket, various electrical issues one after another. I finally traded it in for a different maker.

    The first 4 years were great. After that the car was a failure. I love the passat, it's drive, feel and general quality are first rate. It's that damn reliability thing that worries me,,,

    Good luck Lawoman
  • lawoman1lawoman1 Member Posts: 4
    Well like I stated in a previous post, the car was a leased vehicle and was maintained at the original dealership until it was sold this year. So I am hoping that the reliability factor will hold. This is my daughters car and she is just starting her career and car repairs are not in her budget. In 1999 we bought her a 1987 Jetta and it served its purpose for her until I sold it in 2005 because she was away at college and never used it. . She wanted a Jetta, but we found her this and she has fallen in love with, as she says "the luxury car feel" So until she can buy herself a NEW car, this is it. I know used cars have their problems, but maybe, just maybe we bought a Passat that won't fail us! Thanks for your concern.
  • oldpassatoldpassat Member Posts: 2
    I have an early '98 1.8T. No major repairs and the car looks and drives like new at 93,000 miles. Original clutch and only on second tires and brakes. I have used regular gas and synthetic oil since the beginning. BUT, there is a knocking or soft thumping noise, a kind of muffled rattle, that sounds like it is under the car. My VW specialist mechanic replaced the down pipe from the catalytic converter. Didn't fix the problem, which is worse when car is cold and when you drive off in first gear. But it is getting steadily more persistent, like the exhaust system is loose and seems related to choppy streets. A second mechanic (in business since 1937) said his guy thinks the turbocharger isn't working right and that is the source of the noise. I've noticed no reduction in performance, not that this car was a jackrabbit to begin with (maybe the turbo was bad from the beginning?) Anyone had a similar problem, and how to diagnose w/o going to thieving dealer? And if it is turbocharger (a $500 part) should I also replace the timing belt while they are in there?--Tom
  • krzysskrzyss Member Posts: 849
    If you are using regular gas in turbocharged engine then it is no wonder that "this car was not a jackrabbit to begin with". ECU will reduce boost and retard timing when knock is detected, it will cause engine to make less power.
    Are you sure you do not have knock dmage in your engine?

    Krzys
  • oldpassatoldpassat Member Posts: 2
    When the car was about six months old I was in the dealer and someone working there said that for the U.S. market VW changed the oxygen sensor (?) and therefore not to bother with hi-test. I switched and at the time noticed no difference. What did amaze me was the pickup that a friend's automatic 1.8T had compared to mine. But no, I can't be certain about knock damage except to say that the engine itself seems quiet, no rough idle, and on the highway it is very smooth. What parts would be damaged by knock?
  • krzysskrzyss Member Posts: 849
    I am not an expert but knock happens when air/fuel mixture detonates on its own (too early so piston might be still in compression phase) so I would expect pistons, crank shaft and associated bearings to suffer the most.

    Maybe what you can hear is the pinging under the load? Have you tried premium (91+)?

    If your manual 1.8T is slower than 1.8T auto then something is not right.

    Krzys
  • srdavidrgsrdavidrg Member Posts: 1
    About 2 weeks ago all of a sudden my passat's gauges died out on me, which consists of the spedo, the temp, the gas and tach , then the check engine light came on??? but the lights turn on at night?? then a couple of days ago all the gauges started working and the check engine light also went off like nothing ever happened but not for long, about a half an hour later they all died the check engine light came on but the lights still turn on at night. Does anybody know whats going on. Im gonna run outta gas or get a speeding ticket????
  • blitzg99blitzg99 Member Posts: 12
    Hi,
    I own a CPO VW Passat 2003 with warranty till Oct 2008. I am thinking of buying an extended warranty for my car. Does anyone have suggestions for it. I know VW offers Volkswagen RealDriver Extended warranty. Are there any other good alternatives.

    Also are extended warranties worth it ? Any comments will be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks in advance.
  • blitzg99blitzg99 Member Posts: 12
    Hi,
    I own a CPO VW Passat 2003 with warranty till Oct 2008. Can anyone suggest a good reliable mechanic for VW Passat in the Twin Cities area (I line in St.Paul).
    Also are extended warranties worth it ? I am thinking of extended waranties vs. repair in an independent shop for future. Any comments will be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks in advance.
  • stykeystykey Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1999 Volkswagen Passat and the check engine light keeps coming on. I have had it scanned with a code scanner and there is nothing wrong with it. Can anyone tell me how to disconnect the check engine light? Is there a fuse that controls it? On other vehicles, disconnecting the battery has worked as a tempory fix, but it does not work on this car.
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    Can't help you with your problem, but if you disconnect the MIL light, you will not pass emissions inspection (if your state/locale has one).

    Are you saying that a scan shows no codes whatsoever? Who scanned it? Indie, dealer, or you?
  • jimmyvusajimmyvusa Member Posts: 1
    I also have a 98' Pasat 1.8T but with the auto trans. We have 92K miles, and we love this car with the factory 6 CD changer in the rear and and even a factory casette to hookup our personal XM receiver with the cassette pickup. We have lately noticed a very similar thumping noise to the one described by you. When the car is on the highway under accceleration no noise. When I coast we hear this soft thumping sound under the front passenger seating area sort of center right. There is no engine light and at my last VW dealer checkup no error codes. I was thinking this was either a differential/transaxle issue or a catalytic converter loose insulating plate. I am leaning (hopefully) to the latter. Aamco has a free computer check with an online coupon. If the tranny checks out I am going to an exhaust shop to check this option as well.
  • cosmocosmo Member Posts: 203
    I suggest that you also have someone examine the constant velocity joints.
  • seasidelanebarseasidelanebar Member Posts: 3
    I need to know where the drains in the water box (underneath the engine bonnet in front of the windscreen) are situated, when it rains it keeps filling with water. Thanks for your help.
  • ehg2001ehg2001 Member Posts: 2
    My husband and I recently purchased a used 04 Passat and just the other day, a light came on, on the dash in the upper left corner. It is a circle with a line through it. We did not receive an owners manual with the car so we dont know what it is. Does anyone know what this circle with a line through it means?
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    Under the brake booster (on LHD vehicles) and under the battery. This should help you:

    http://www.weirdlittlebiscuit.com/passat/leak/
  • cosmocosmo Member Posts: 203
    First of all, check under the dash below the steering column to confirm that the owners manual is not where it is supposed to be. (You wouldn't know that it should be there unless you read the owners manual or the seller told you.) The light you describe may be the shift lock notification. It is located at top center on the tach. It is a brake symbol with a shoe in it. It lights when you have the engine on, the transmission in park or neutral, and your foot off the brake. The light is to remind you to apply the brake to release the shift lock so you can shift into drive or reverse. The light you describe may also be the symbol located in the top left of the computer readout. It is a circle with a diagonal line through it. It means that the MPG displayed is an accumulated average.

    If you do not have an owners manual, it is well worth it to buy one in order to utilize all the features of your Passat.
  • seasidelanebarseasidelanebar Member Posts: 3
    Cheers mate i got it sorted now it's just a matter of drying out the carpets but the big bit is sorted tks alot.
  • summetjsummetj Member Posts: 1
    I have ran into something very funny on my wife's 98 Passat (Manual).

    The clutch petal got all spongy (as if air was in the clutch master/slave cylinder or line). When I went to vacuum bleed the clutch system at the slave cylinder bleed nipple, I couldn't get any brake fluid to go down the hose to the master cylinder. I eventually unplugged the hose that runs from the brake fluid reservoir only to find that the plastic nozzle on the brake fluid reservoir was solid plastic, and would not allow fluid to flow past it into the hose!

    I sucked brake fluid directly into the hose and the clutch petal now works.
    My question: Did some mechanic install a new brake fluid reservoir and forget to clip the plastic tip of the nozzle? (I assume that for an automatic transmission no hose to a clutch master cylinder would exist, so the reservoir is probably designed so that the installer would have to open up that nozzle.)

    Or is this the normal from the factory setup? (Just a place to plug the hose to maintain vacuum?) Anybody with a manual Passat know if the hose is supposed to be connected to the reservoir as I suspect?
    Thanks,
    Jay
  • neki36neki36 Member Posts: 1
    99 passat 5 speed v6 130 miles
    after driving for about 10 min my car will beep and rpm gauge will drop to 0
    and oil and ABS lights will go off
    otherwise car runs great
    please any sugestion (ideas)
  • kuhl0050kuhl0050 Member Posts: 1
    My 1999 Passat Driver Side Controls have stopped working completely. I can not use the locking mechinism, window controls or mirror adjustments. The controls were working fine when I bought the car a few years back but slowly went out one by one. Sometimes the controls would work, sometimes not. Then the whole shabang went out.

    Any Ideas what I can do to fix the issue???

    Ps. All other window controls and locking mechinisms on the other doors work fine.
  • richardthanrichardthan Member Posts: 1
    My wagon recently started to squeak rather loudly while the car is in motion regarless off speed. When I apply the brakes the squeak's either subside entirely or mostly. Originally I thought that I may have a pebble or something stuck in the pads but that doesnt appear to be the case. Thought the pads may also be sticking but that isnt the case either. Does anyone know what that problem may be? I am pretty lost at this point. Thank you.

    Richard :cry:
  • jimstumbojimstumbo Member Posts: 3
    image

    I bought a used 2000 Passat 1.8L Turbo car and it has exhaust that is leaking into the engine compartment. It appears to be coming from a hose that is missing. Not sure what the hose is, and looked in a repair manual and could not find a picture of it. In the attached picture, there is a round silverish colored part that has a nipple on the bottom (circled) that appears like it should have a hose connected to it. It is at the back of the engine on the left side. Exhaust comes out of this nipple. Anyone know what hose is missing and where the other end goes?
    :confuse:

    Thanks,
    Jim
  • torino5torino5 Member Posts: 4
    When I start engine in the morning you can hear some noise coming from the bottom of the engine(like exhaust leak noise) and continue for about 2 min. and after everything is great.There is no smell, no smoke,full power.VW specialist told me the problem is….exhaust gasket or manifold crack or leak(under the turbo) something like that.Is anyone know how to change exhaust gasket or manifold(he told me needs to remove turbo).Is it a big deal ?
  • cosmocosmo Member Posts: 203
    Examine the wiring bundle to the drivers door. Repeated flexing over the past nine years may have broken one or more wires.
  • bobgwtwbobgwtw Member Posts: 187
    Unfortunately, any reair done by a VW dealer is a big deal; read very expensive. Try to find a good independent repair shop that specializes in VW's. A good place to start looking is the "Mechanix" file on cartalk.com.
  • dwhelan2dwhelan2 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2002 Passat 1.8 turbo with 48K miles on it. The Catalytic converter light went on this past weekend- have not had it serviced yet. Separately. the heater in the car stopped working in March but the AC still works. I was quoted $1000 by a local ( reputable ) garage to get a new heater installed. Have no idea yet what the answer will be for the converter. Should I cut my losses and get rid of the car? I am surprised I have so many issues with it.
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    I'd have that heater core thoroughly back-flushed before I considered replacing it. There are DIY directions around on the web to do it. The inlet/outlet to the core is pretty easily accessible under the hood, near the battery, under a corrugated plastic sheathing. Google the following - word for word -

    passat "I ain't got no heat blues"

    What do you mean the cat light lit? You mean the check engine (MIL) light? Did you pull the diagnostic codes? Could be just the O2 sensors. Get codes pulled at Advance Auto Parts or Autozone for free and post what codes you get.
  • dwhelan2dwhelan2 Member Posts: 3
    thanks so much for your response. I am not a car person so I don't know what you mean when you say "pull the diagnostic codes" and yes, I did mean that the MIL light on the dashboard came on. I have an appt with the dealer next week so I really appreciate going in with this extra knowledge. I had a local guy in Bklyn that I went to for a while but I found a couple of chat strings on the web that accused him of being a rip off artist so not going back to him!!
  • altair4altair4 Member Posts: 1,469
    Go to an auto parts store like Advance Auto or Autozone. They will connect a diagnostic device into the OnBoard Diagnostics plug and read the codes stored in the car's computer - they'll do it for free. The codes will tell you what is wrong, more or less, that is causing the MIL light. Post the codes here and let's see what you have....
  • jimstumbojimstumbo Member Posts: 3
    Strange, I would have thought someone would know what this hose is. Can anyone even verify that there is supposed to be a hose attached to it?
  • dwhelan2dwhelan2 Member Posts: 3
    Believe it or not the light went off as I was driving to Auto ZOne!! I drove about 90 miles on Friday then Sat am when I went to go there, I noticed the MIL light was not on and the diagnosic device read no problems!! So now I just have to have them fix the radiator- but a lot less expensive! thanks so much for your help I really appreciate it,
  • rfree8rfree8 Member Posts: 2
    On 8/25 I took the passat to the VW dealership/service center for heat shield replacement and fuel line inspection per Volkswagen advisory. The work was done free of charge. I was told they would need the car for five hours and I know that doesnt mean they would be working on it the entire time. I recieve a phone call 2 hours later, "work is done you have 2 lights out do you want them replaced?" the answer was no, their prices are not competitive. Left the car there on Fri picked it up on a Monday. Asked if everything went okay and the rep replies " oh yeah, two screws it took 15 minutes."
    10 days later 9/04 take the passat to another VW dealership/service center for oil change and head light replacement. I recieve a call "cv boots split and need replacement 600.00." Couldnt believe my ears had to ride over and have them show me which they kindly did. They were totally destroyed, split in two both sides, grease all over the back of the wheel and on the wheelwell
    Did the first mechanic miss this with a speedy heat shied install or did I completely split both boots in the last 10 days with 310 miles logged. What are the chances they both go at the same time.
  • krzysskrzyss Member Posts: 849
    My fuel pump died. The car has 94000 miles. After 600 USD car is operational again.
  • cragg3rcragg3r Member Posts: 16
    well you did log 310 miles in just 10 days. Do you remember hitting a big hole in the ground, or any kind of rumbling noise/feel as you were driving? I'm sure the VW dealer would have told you if it was bad then, because they are always looking for ways to charge you money.
  • cragg3rcragg3r Member Posts: 16
    I finally had to get rid of my 99 VW Passat GLX with 147K. I was sad to see it go but I traded it in for an 05 Accord. I have to say I am going to miss the fun I had driving my VW.
  • theknabtheknab Member Posts: 5
    I am having a problem with my Passat 2001.5 GLS. The gear bar indicator on the dash is all lit up red instead of just showing the gear the car is in. It feels like the car is in only one gear all the time.
    The codes from the computer showed up 18223 P1815. My mechanic identified the problem as Pressure control valve-1- for auto transmission - N215 faulty. He changed out the Solenoid valve 4 and also replaced and flushed the transmission fluid.. However, the bar lit again after about 20 minutes driving and now it lights up right away. My mechanic says it could also be a short circuit to B+. he needs to check wire N91.
    Does anyone have any thoughts about where on the wire the problem might be occurring? Hope this makes sense and that someone can at least give me some ideas. I have never posted before but I have found the Passat forums to be really helpful in the past.
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