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VW Golf

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Comments

  • brkdwnbrkdwn Member Posts: 3
    Wanted to thank everybody for the response to my dilemma. Oddly, I was competent enough to replace the heater core, but not to have a good connection on the negative terminal. That was, simply, the only error. Genius.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Is that not exactly what I suggested your problem was? (post #1354) - I guess 30+ years of working on electroncs has taught me a thing or two ;-)
  • hauntedgolfhauntedgolf Member Posts: 1
    HELP! My 98 Golf (automatic) Is seriously doing weird things! It used to be rare, not i cant get it to stop...
    When I turn on my car, the BRAKE light in the dash stays on, the AC doesnt work, neither do the headlights or windshield wipers. Sometimes it goes away if i turn off the car and restart, but not lately. I dont feel safe driving at night because the lights will go off while i am driving, if i can even get them to turn on in the first place. What the heck IS this? Its not a fuse, is it a wiring harness with all of these items connected? Please, if you have any advice, i am not able to afford to take it to a dealer and get charged hundreds of dollars! thank you thank you thank you.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    I would check the relays, then suspect the ignition switch itself.
  • barnee61barnee61 Member Posts: 67
    The City Golf is a great deal for sure, at least from a price perspective. I priced one out on vw.ca and, fully equipped with everything except alloys/sunroof, it is about $4000 less than a similarly equipped 2006 Golf from last year.

    I was seriously considering trading my 2006 Corolla, until I browsed through this forum. Almost every Golf post concerns reliability issues, troubleshooting, maintenance and repair advice, or dealer annoyances. It appears nothing much has changed over time. My last Volkswagens were a 1976 and then a 1977 Rabbit. They cost me a fortune just to keep them running. I'm pretty sure my local VW mechanic (Karl) put his daughter through university on my tab.

    The Golf/Jetta are definitely nicer cars than the Corolla, but reliability is key at this point in my life. I don't want to spend all my time underneath the car, or waiting at the dealer for warranty service.

    Question: Why, after so many decades, is reliability still an issue? If Hyundai can get their act together after the Pony, Excel and Scoupe disasters and become a top rated manufacturer (check JD Power), why can't Volkswagen?

    I just don't get it... :confuse:
  • chrisando1chrisando1 Member Posts: 3
    turned out that it was the crank angle sensor. the plastic housing was cracked and worn out and it was shorting out becuase it is precariously located. it cost 450 AUD to replace and i haven't had any problems since.
  • guayoguayo Member Posts: 3
    I seem to have the same problem with my 1998 Golf. The car won't start anytime there's a little cold weather (early in the morning and late night) Whenever I can start it, have to step in the gas for some time, (if not the car stops at idle speed). Some other times this happens after running 1 mile or so.
    The technician, says there's no error code from the scanner and has replaced an electrical device which name I don't know (it's not the alternator, but a winding connected to the distributor) It helped for four days, but with winter season entering the region, I have the same problem. Where should I continue? :sick:
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    It sounds to me as if your cold running enrichener circuit is not working at all. Its role in life is to add extra fuel to the engine when cold to keep it running properly.

    The cause of this could be several things. You did not mention which engine you have so I cannot help very much.

    Certainly consider the "engine temparture sensor" may be sending false signals to the computer. (If sensor tells computer that engine is always hot... then enrichener will not kick in.)

    If your engine has a "fifth injector" which is used to add xtra fuel when cold, it should be scrutinized too.

    Some older VW engines used a "bypass idle circuit" to increase the idle when engine is cold.
  • barnee61barnee61 Member Posts: 67
    I used to have the same cold starting problem with a pre-Golf Rabbit that had the Bosch fuel-injection. The part that was causing the problem was known as a "warm-up regulator", but I believe it was technically known as a control-pressure regulator. I would assume the Golf has something similar...
  • patrickm805patrickm805 Member Posts: 2
    this is my first time posting. My dad recently bought me a 97 golf, and I have no problems with it mechanically (thank god) but... starting yesterday, the alram is acting very strange. The powere locks dont work anymore first of all, just 3 days ago they were working, and now, the key will only unlock EITHER the passenger or driver's side doors. but when I do get in the car and close the door, as soon as I step on the brake to try and start it, the alarm is set again, so that when I put the key in the ignition and turn it, the alram goes off... I havent driven it for 2 days... at this point I just want to disconnect the alram because I cant afford a trip to the mechanics... can someone help me? :confuse:
  • kjoefaskjoefas Member Posts: 1
    I just started having these problems too... did you ever get it resolved?
  • patrickm805patrickm805 Member Posts: 2
    Im stillwaiting fora reply from anyone.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Each door has at least 3 micro-switches in it that feedback information to the "immobilizer". If one of these switches gets 'flakey', then the alarm system does not know what is going on. (Is a door open?, are they locked?, is the door-handle pulled?)

    Also, do not forget that the hatch and the hood also have switches to feedback when they are closed too.

    One "test" you can do is to verify that opening each door will turn on the interior lights. (this tests ONE of the micro-switches)

    If you can isolate which door is the culprit, then it may need to be disassembled and checked.

    Here is a thread for taking the door apart:
    http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1015107

    Here is a thread with pics of the electronics involved:
    http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1542461

    Finally, a link with the switch replacement:
    http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=730184
  • wbawba Member Posts: 3
    Hi! I recently purchased a 2001 VW Golf. As far as I know the car has no leaks. I have, however, found a thin layer of ice on the inside of my windshield in the morning. It has only done this twice. The first time I thought it was a problem with the sunroof but it was fine for the next few days. It has snowed and rained after that first time and it was fine. I am not sure if it is warm air that stays inside and condenses and freezes inside the windshield or if it's because of some other reason. Anybody, have an idea of what this could be?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    You may just have some wetness in the car that needs to be thoroughly dried.

    Being a Vermont driver for a LLOONNGG time, I learned very early in life that the fan should be always blowing while driving. This is the ONLY way to push the evaperated moisture OUT OF THE CAR. Otherwise, it will condense on the inside of the glass... just like you are seeing.

    Volkswages are very well sealed. (do you recall the advertizments of the Beetle being able to FLOAT on water?) Any moisture must be "purged" by running the blower as hot as you can stand it.

    The only way to "purge" the inside of the car is to run the heat and fan on "HIGH" for over an hour. It may be ucomfortable for the passengers... but will ensure the interiour of your car is thoroughly dried out. If you have floormats, then they should be REMOVED while you are going thru this drying process.

    Then, to keep things dry. Always have the blower moving air. (And use "recirculate" as little as possible)
  • wbawba Member Posts: 3
    :) Thanks for the the information. I will definitely give that a try and hopefully that will solve it. I appreciate the help.
  • hidingbackwardhidingbackward Member Posts: 19
    I've actually posted a similar msg about a month ago with no response..hoping for a 2nd time others may have heard of this problem..

    I have a 2007 rabbit with 3,100 miles on it that has had 3 out-of-round tires in the same location - drivers side front. Each time that the tire was found to be defective all other tires were checked to make sure they weren't out of round; and still has only been in that same location. After 2nd brand new tire I took in my car to dealer. Dealer found nothing mechanical...however they thought it was unusual. Now this is my 3rd out-of-round tire and I will be taking in my car again. Has anyone ever heard of this being a problem on the rabbit/golf? It seems it takes a few weeks after getting new tire for it to become out-of-round, so i find it difficult dealer doesn't see anything mechanical. It is really bothersome, considering it makes my overall driving experience really unpleasant.
    I would appreciate any feedback to this very annoying problem.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    My goodness - you seem to be approaching this problem from the wrong perspective.

    Your car has 3 other perfectly round tire-wheel combinations that can be swapped into that position. If the problem does not stay with the tire-wheel combonaiton.. then it is NOT the tire nor the wheel.

    My years of experience tell me that your problem is not a "tire" at all. There is a whole lot of other rotating mass that may present itself as seeming like an "out of round" tire.

    Just so we are all clear on your problem... can you please describe in detail why you think the "TIRE" is out-of-round? Please include specifics about the symptoms you are experiencing.
  • sanj32sanj32 Member Posts: 1
    Hi guys,

    I just purchased a 2003 golf generation and its fantastic! never driven a better hatchback in my life.. :) It has only 19 000KM on it so its like brand new.

    A few questions regarding it
    - I have seen a nice blue tint on the side mirrors on other generation and GTI Golfs. Does this come standard and can this be purchased? It makes it look really nice..

    - I been hearing a whisteling noise in my car when i start the car and start driving. some people say it has to do with teh fuel pump and thats how european cars sound like.. I am not sure what this is and not sure if its an issue. Does anyone else have this noise?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    The blue-tinted sidemirrors were standard on some VWs in the early 2000s. I am not sure when they were dropped... but I know that my Daughers 2001 Golf has them and my 2003 Jetta does not.

    As for the sound you are hearing... Are you sure it is not the serpentine belt sqeeking a bit?

    Perhaps if we knew which engine you have, we could be more helpful.
  • eleanor99eleanor99 Member Posts: 1
    Hi All,

    I'm new to this forum, but I hope you can help me out. My dog has chewed part-way through the rear driver's side seat belt of my 2004 Golf. The seat belt still functions, but looks worse for the wear--and I take safety very seriously, so I'm uncomfortable with the idea that its function may have been compromised. I asked for an estimate at the dealer nearby and was told it would be $315 ($155 for the part, $160 for the labor) to replace. This seems like rather a lot to me...I'm new to car ownership, so I hope you will bear with me as I ask the following questions:

    1) Is there a reputable place where I can get a replacement part for less?
    2) Does the dealer have to perform the labor, or can I take it to another shop for installation?
    3) Is it possible to install it myself (with help from a mechanically savvy friend, of course)?

    Any advice would be appreciated! I had not anticipated that there would be such a price to pay for a little puppy chewing...
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    I have procured seatbelt components from scrapyard at VERY reasonable cost. These parts are not in high demand, so they are eager to get even $10 for such things. (Especially if you bring your own tools and remove the parts yourself.)

    Rear drivers-side seatbelts do not often get much use, so you will likely be able to find nearly new seatbelt components. (most rear passengers sit opposite of driver for legroom)

    Also, by removing it yourself from a scrapped car, you can be selective in what parts you chose AND become familear on how to remove them without fear of damaging your own car.
  • motorboymotorboy Member Posts: 2
    just saw you can design your own version of the new vw ad....sweet stuff

    www.night-drive.com

    this is my version

    http://www.jumpcut.com/view?id=387C6AA00EBD11DC9FD0000423CF385C

    Post yours
  • thecloserigetthecloseriget Member Posts: 2
    I need some help with this, I have a black 2003 manual Golf and I really want to tint the windows. This is where I need some opinions, do you think i should get the whole car tinted in the "legal" tint, or have the back windows and the hatch darker than the front driver and passenger. I can't decided and want to know what you guys think. THANK YOU!!

    "><img src="
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Different states have different rules about window-tinting. The rules range from how dark the tinting can be to which windows are allowed to be tinted.

    Your 2003 GOlf already has tinted windows from the factory so there is little reason to add more. You may wish to find out what is legal in your state before you do anything. The laws are there to protect you. Getting into an accident because you could not see out of the windows at night would not be fun.
  • thecloserigetthecloseriget Member Posts: 2
    I'm not sure of the laws here (i'm in canada) My car actuallly has pretty much no tint whatsoever, I guess i'll go with just getting it all legal tinting...unless that's too dark...i'll have to look into that...you bring up a good point about getting into an accident....thanks for the response
  • thain66thain66 Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2000 VW Golf. Two weeks ago I had some routine maintenance done to it, it has 123,000 miles, and the VW dealership told me about an open recall having to do with the fuel line.

    Anyway, the took care of replacing the "nipple" on the fuel line and for the first time ever I've had three occassions where the car simply tries to turn over and doesn't.

    It the sort of situation where you'd think you were out of gas.

    Anyway, the last time it happened (last night) it took about 30 tries to get it started.

    Also, the check engine light stays on when it finally starts and it stays on until the car is restarted.

    The dealership called me this afternoon and can find nothing wrong with the car. They claim that the recall, regarding the fuel line, has nothing to do with this problem.

    Any advice!!
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    If it is truly accurate that the starting problem began AFTER they messed with the car... then it is obvious they bumped somthing which exasperated the problem. If not the fuel-line nipple, then somthing else.

    This certainly does not mean they are "at fault" or shold pay for correcting it... but it should help them diagnose the problem.

    If your car has problems starting -- how can they say there is nothing wrong? I surmize the answer is that the computer diagnostics are telling them nothing so they are clueless beyond that.

    Unfortunately, many (most) of todays so-called "mechanics" are just boneheads that run diagnostics and replace parts. REAL mechanics actually know how to troubleshoot a problem to isolate the defect. People with those kind of skills usually work in other industries that pay them $40 - $60 per hour for their time.
  • thain66thain66 Member Posts: 4
    Thank you so much for your response and you are correct!

    The computer showed nothing so they didn't want to truly research the problem.

    They kept it overnight and finally I get a call stating that there is a crack in the Fuel Train which was causing a slight leak of gas and so forth and creating this problem.

    When I asked if it were possible that the repair of the fuel line and the crack in the fuel train were connected they said not at all.

    I will be without the car until Friday and need to find out more about the fuel train in connection to the recall from VW.

    My thoughts are to call VW and explain what has taken place. There is an 800# associated with the recall and perhaps someone at their headquarters could be of assistance but who knows.

    The entire reason for the recall is that the fuel line had too much tension on it and it even could affect the fuel pump.

    Let me know your thoughts and thanks again!
  • gargergarger Member Posts: 2
    I am having the same problem with my wife's car and am curious what else they might have told you.

    Our car won't start, we leave it for 30 minutes and then it goes. I am thinking a compression issue, but am not sure.

    Any better ideas. Of course the dealer couldn't "find" anything.
  • thain66thain66 Member Posts: 4
    Well, one of my posts shows my ignorance on definitions! The crack they found was on the fuel rail and when I asked for the part they didn't have it any longer. The repair was completed on a Saturday and I didn't pickup until Tuesday so I can understand that it was thrown away/disposed of.

    However, not one person in the service area could explain to me how a "small" crack appeared on the "Fuel Rail".

    Again, they replaced the plastic nipple on the fuel line but that was close to the fuel tank itself.

    We've had the car for 3 days and it continues to start but....that doesn't mean much based on past history.

    It still bothers me that they performed a recall and then this issue cropped up.

    The entire recall was based on too much tension on the fuel line causing cracks in the plastic nipple at the fuel tank and issues with the fuel pump.

    It has been an expensive experience as well! I'll let you know any updates as they occur.
  • evalemk4evalemk4 Member Posts: 1
    i have been having a problem with my 00 golf it as 100k even and when it runs its flawless but it can cut of at any time and its been kind of agrivating me i can go when its cold turn it on and it will run fine start easy but after it gets warm im driving on the highway or sitting still and boom cuts off i have changer fuel pump fuel filter in rear new coil pack new fuel pump relay im all out of ideas someone please help me
  • lorddrago1lorddrago1 Member Posts: 19
    Put a clutch in a golf now got no pedal, and no pressure on clutch lever. Any ideas about what I missed? :lemon:
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    A wild guess -- Did you miss bleeding the clutch hydrolic system?
  • lorddrago1lorddrago1 Member Posts: 19
    It's not hydrolic. It's works with a cable. I need to know if there is spacer or something on the push rod?
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Whoops -- all the newer VWs are hydrolic...

    I know my 1979 Scirocco was cable as was my 1981 Rabbit-pickup truck.... but by 2001 they are all hydrolic. Since the clutch is SHARED with the brake-fluid, some folks forget that they are hydrolic.
  • ballybabeballybabe Member Posts: 1
    sorry for a what is probably a stupid question but when i start my golf a light comes on near the miage that says, 'service inspect' it stays on for a minute or so and then turns off. does the car need a service? i have no booklet and don't know cars. thanks.
    lisa.
  • shemuffinshemuffin Member Posts: 1
    We got a 2001 VW Golf GLS and had a CD player installed before we brought it home. We moved out of state and I started noticing that the front console lighting would flicker on and off, very distracting at night! I mentioned this when I was taking the car into the dealerships for routine maintenance and no one could ever figure out the cause. I suggested a short in wiring from when the CD player was installed but no one listened.
    About a year and a half a go, one dealer mechanic said he knew what the problem was and could fix it, but because my car is no longer under warranty, it would cost me almost $1000.
    The past few weeks, I have been having my car not start. I get in, put the key in but when I turn to start the car, everything turns off. My first thought was the battery died, I live in AZ and batteries do not last long. But while I was waiting for someone to help me jump my car, I sit in the front seat and notice my clock is back on. I put the key in the ignition and it starts right up! This happened again a week later, and then happened again yesterday, 11 days from the last time.

    Anybody have any suggestions? I called VW customer care and the employee documented everything but because my warranty is expired they cannot do anything, THOUGH I have the option of taking it to a dealer and having it diagnosed (but paying for it myself!) I am concerned that there will be a problem when I am driving and it could cause an accident hurting myself and other innocent people.

    I am ready for a new car, but I owe so much still because of a stupid ex-husband who thought it was a good idea to lease and then separates from me when the lease is up, and since he didn't pay the alimony he was supposed to left me no option but finance and buy the stupid thing.
    I need a safe ride but cannot afford to pay for repairs when I don't feel I've done anything wrong. I just wish VW would diagnose the thing and if they believe the problem is unrelated to the CD player installation then I will pay for repairs or get rid of the car. It's just frustrating that they aren't willing to do anything but "document my concerns!" :mad: :lemon:
  • greengolf99greengolf99 Member Posts: 2
    hey, I bought a 99 VW golf in October it ran great had no problems until the winter hit. My car will start perfectly fine and run great in ideal conditions, but if the roads are wet either because of snow and rain or melting snow, the engine will cut out, usually when going from stop to first gear, like at a red light. I am able sometimes to get it to start again but only in neutral the moment i give it gas the engine cuts out again. I'm wondering if anyone else had this problem of knows how i can fix this, I suspect it may be the starter coil or the fuel filter but i could be wrong. :confuse:

    thanks :)
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Sure sounds like a problem with ignition to me. If your sparkplug wires are original... they are probubly shot.

    If new sparkplug wires dont fix it. Suspect the coil itself.
  • vwgolfcartvwgolfcart Member Posts: 2
    I bought a 99 golf in november and it is giving me the exact same problems. I have checked everything and had tons of work done. It would leave me stranded an the turnpike during swow storms and i would have to get towed (4 times since december.) :sick: I just replaced the coil yesterday and now it starts everytime but now when i start the car it idles great for 10 seconds and then starts ideling irradically and when i try to give it gas it doesnt seem to want to take it, it just bogs out and wants to die. This car is a 2.0 with 58,000 miles and its about to get pushed off a bridge.
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    Your description sure sounds like it is in "limp mode" Is your CEL on?
  • vwgolfcartvwgolfcart Member Posts: 2
    no cel is on, and it keeps telling me no codes
  • bhunterrjcbhunterrjc Member Posts: 1
    i am having problems getting my aftermarket radio to work in my car. i cact figure out how to wire it up because the male adapters in the car were cut out someone please help me.
  • warcholjwarcholj Member Posts: 2
    I have the EXACT same problem! Have seen this issue appear on the VW forum as well. My '97 Golf doesn't start in the rain, and even with a little moisture, it may start but then idles so low it quits on its own or when I give it a little gas. Replaced the dist. cap, spark plug, and wires about 6 months ago, but still have the issue. Any advice?
    Thanks!
  • greengolf99greengolf99 Member Posts: 2
    Hey,
    We replaced the starter coil, worked fine after that. try that. go for a good quality one though the one that was in my car was unprotected and cracked all over, the new one has a metal case around it, much better at keeping the water out. hope that helps :shades:
  • bpeeblesbpeebles Member Posts: 4,085
    In my 30+ years of working on cars... I have never heard of a "starter coil".

    Perhaps you mean the IGNITION coil ?

    (I just dont want other folks to get confused and start looking for a "starter coil" under the hood)
  • warcholjwarcholj Member Posts: 2
    Thanks so much for the quick reply. I'm making an appointment to get it looked at this week. Have called some VW service centers and inquired... they all mentioned the coil. Seems to be quite common in the older VWs. Thanks again! :shades:
  • bruno89bruno89 Member Posts: 1
    the alarms pretty much gone haywire, and the power locks have gone out, it popped the interior lights fuse repeadetly, and we replaced it with a 30a, but that didnt help anything

    the alarm will not disarm at all, i can stop the alarm from going off, but it instantly re-arms itself if i try to disarm it, i also obviously cannot start the golf either

    and i also dont have power locks anymore, no idea why, it just did this all randomly in the middle of the day

    only thing i can think is a bad relay
  • sroundssrounds Member Posts: 5
    Just read your comments about the alarm issue and thought I'd tell you about last week when I got done changing the rear brakes, I started the car up and ran it down the road. As soon as I got into the driveway, I shut the car off before it stoped moving, and the alarm started going off. I could not shut it off by turning the key in the door so I pulled out a fuse and it stoped but a minute later it started up again so I disconected the battery. As soon as I tried putting the battery back in, the alarm would go off. This went on for several hours. I then realized that I had a fuse in the #4 spot and as soon as I pulled that one out ( the book tells you that you should not have a fuse there) I was able to start the car without the alarm going off. It has worked great ever since that day. Hope this might help you out.
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