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Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance and Repair

6636 messages,  Last post on Jun 11, 2013 at 10:42 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Jetta, Sedan

Messages Page 613 of 664

#6120 of 6636 Re: 2001 Jetta TDI [01tdi] by underthevwhood

Aug 14, 2009 (10:09 am)

Replying to: 01tdi (Aug 14, 2009 8:50 am)
Sorry about the bad news. Like I wrote earlier, if it wasn't the mounts, your looking at the transmission/transaxle. Just our luck, it's never the simple/cheap fix.
 
I don't think a trans service will help. So the options are new, used, or rebuild. With the $5000 you were quoted, new is out. You can buy a different Jetta for that. What did you learn about rebuilding the trans? Useless, please explain. Used may be an option. Most likely from a salvage yard. Most of the time they can tell you if it was working when they received the car. How bad is the leak?
 
The quote for the exhaust seems a little high. I don't understand why they would want to replace the exhaust system if the hangers and/or mounts are missing. This is something they should be able to fabricate. Are the mufflers shot as well? For $900, you should be able to get top of the line stainless. Check with your local muff. shops.
 
Convert to a 5-speed manual trans.....you don't want to go there. LOL. Way to much work, especially if you don't do the work yourself. More Work=More Money.
 
Sorry I live in South Texas. Little far to help. You will have to be persistent and "ferret" out the good prices. I got tired of paying a lot just because I had a VW. After a quick search, I found a rebuilt 5-speed auto for around $2100 w/ one year warranty. Not cheap but better that $5000.
 
Tracy

#6121 of 6636 Re: 2001 Jetta TDI [underthevwhood] by 01tdi

Aug 14, 2009 (10:27 am)

Replying to: underthevwhood (Aug 14, 2009 10:09 am)
I have read many forums online including a few at tdiclub and everywhere seems to say that when you rebuild the transmission it will last 100k at most then fall out again. However there have been a few cases when the transmission fell out sooner than that, and some when the rebuilt transmission fell out under 20,000 miles. These could be isolated incidents though.
 
The garage I took it too was kind of vague. They said it was leaking but only suggested fixing it and said it shouldn't be much of a problem. To me that seems like it is not leaking too much but who knows until I get a chance to look at it myself. They seemed to think it was more important to fix the exhaust before the transmission. The receipt says center exhaust hanger support and mount missing, and front exhaust poor. It passed inspection and the engine is not very loud so I don't really care about the exhaust. It seems fine to me, I might just weld it or make my own brackets once I get my welder.
 
The car shifts fine in all gears except for first. Off the line it kicks, and very occasionally it stalls itself out but will start right up again. Also when the transmission fluid warms up there is less of a problem with it. It stalls more often when cold in reverse.
 
I have to look in the area to see if there are any used transmissions. from what I have read it looks like their life span is from 100k to 150k and they start to fail.

#6122 of 6636 Re: EPC Light and Loss of Power [nitekim] by bpeebles

Aug 14, 2009 (8:15 pm)

Replying to: nitekim (Aug 13, 2009 11:48 pm)
Try resetting / zeroing the throttle potentiometer.
 
 The procedure can be found on the internet. Essentually it entails turning the key "on" (dont start engine) and then slowly push throttle pedal to floor and slowly release. Then shut off key. This is supposed to resycronize the pedal to the throttlebody.
 
(My recolection of the procedure may be somwhat simplified.... please review the correct procedure.)
 
If a resync. does not "stick", then consider using VagCom to isolate the problem.

#6123 of 6636 98 Jetta Ignition Issues - Ignition Switch by revmarket

Aug 15, 2009 (2:38 pm)

Mechanic says the ignition switch is bad b/c you have to Push the key in and jiggle it to function to get the starter to operate.
 
How does one go about changing the lock cylinder.
How about changing the ignition switch?
 
If I can not get it to start I can not check the ignition coil which might have been giving the daughter trouble.
 
Would love to get it started and then sell the high maintenance item. The car not the daughter. Ha Ha. She just got engaged and will need the money from the sale to help pay off bill to my sister and then some left over to pay for the wedding.

#6124 of 6636 Re: 98 Jetta Ignition Issues - Ignition Switch [revmarket] by underthevwhood

Aug 15, 2009 (8:22 pm)

Replying to: revmarket (Aug 15, 2009 2:38 pm)
Hi Rev,
 
Good news- the lock cylinder and the ignition switch are two different parts. Replacing the ignition switch isn't that big a deal. Since you don't plan on keeping the Jetta, buy a Haynes repair manual at your local auto parts store. This manual is good enough for this job and does explain how to do the replacement.
 
I had to replace one on my '97 Golf. It was so bad that the headlights would not stay on. I think there was a recall on this years ago. I didn't bother checking it out, just replaced it. Not one of VW's greatest designs. I have had no problems since the replacement and that has been some years ago.
 
The only special tool you will need is a puller. I used a three leg puller, and it worked fine. The puller is used to pull off the splined collar for the steering wheel. Also, you may need a special shear-bolt. Anti-theft thing you know. I used a vise grips to get mine loose and reused the old "bolt". I have the new shear-bolt sitting in my tool box, lol.
 
Once you get the engine turning over, then we can tackle the coil.
 
Tracy

#6125 of 6636 Re: 2001 Jetta TDI [01tdi] by underthevwhood

Aug 15, 2009 (8:50 pm)

Replying to: 01tdi (Aug 14, 2009 10:27 am)
Yes,VW auto trans don't hold up so well. 100K is normal. Sucks when you are the one who has to pay for the rebuild. I may have to take back looking at getting the trans serviced. Almost sounds like it is all gummed up inside. Not until it warms up and the fluid is a bit thinner does it work. If the trans has been leaking, the level may be low as well. Worth looking at. The engine stalling is interesting. Has it always done that? Do you plan on keeping the Jetta for a while?
 
If the hangers/brackets are missing and the mufflers are fine, you fabricate new ones. It's not that hard for a shop to do. Take a look at new parts on the net and then look at yours. You can see what is missing right away.
 
Consider taking you TDI to another shop to get a second opinion. See what someone else thinks. Don't tell them what the first shop said, just tell them what you have told us here. See what they find out. My son saved a bunch of money doing this very thing.
 
Tracy

#6126 of 6636 Re: 2001 Jetta TDI [underthevwhood] by 01tdi

Aug 16, 2009 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: underthevwhood (Aug 15, 2009 8:50 pm)
Yes I plan on keeping my Jetta for a long long time, That is the main reason I went for the TDI option. $2100 is not too bad for a re-manufactured? transmission that is a 5 speed automatic. Where did you find that? At least it will be brand new and the car will be basically new then. How much for installation, my understanding is that it is pretty much just bolt on and go. That and resetting the computer and hooking up the sensors. Is that all there is to it? And do I need a vag-com or special computer to reset the computer in the car?
 
Today the check engine light came on, next time I get close to an advanced auto I will have them check it for me, just to make sure it is the transmission and not some other error. So I start the car and let it idle for like 2 to 5 minutes and then it is fine, rarely stalls. However when I am coasting or it has to downshift into first it grinds the clutch horribly. Like someone learning to shift for the first time. After it warms up it does not shake as much when I put it into reverse either. I have to call this transmission specialty place tomorrow to get an estimate on rebuilding the trans, and depending on how much it costs I might have them change the fluid and see if that helps at all. I would like to change the filter to but I believe that it is a sealed unit and the filter is not changeable? Any one know this for sure? (Those sealed transmissions are a crock, just a way for the manufacturers to get more money)

#6127 of 6636 Re: 2001 Jetta TDI [01tdi] by underthevwhood

Aug 16, 2009 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: 01tdi (Aug 16, 2009 2:26 pm)
Since you plan on keeping your Jetta, rebuilding your transmission is probably the best bet. Cheaper than new and a lot less risk than a used one. I just did a quick search for "VW automatic transmission". Don't remember the exact website. There are plenty of manual transmissions out there. You will have to look on your transmission to find out what model you have. Yours should be a 4-speed. I just saw the 5-speed in my quick look. The price seemed reasonable. It's the TIN-transaxle identification number. Just did another quick search and found at AutoShoppingCenter 4-speed transmissions for $1695, $190 shipping. They were out of TDI trans, but the price is getting better. Check with at least two transmission shops for how much it will cost you to rebuild it.
 
As for replacing it, it's a JOB. A lot of crap to get out of the way. Then its bolt on. Doing the clutch on mine is hell. Glad I don't have to do that every 15K, lol.
 
Your transmission is not a sealed unit. VW however does consider it to be a "sealed" unit. Too even check the fluid level is a major pain in the butt. Autohaus AZ has a filter kit for $22.35. I can not recommend doing this yourself. Specially with the problems you are having. Also, you have to use trans fluid for a VW. Part of their "sealed" unit, lol.
 
Before you write off the transmission, have it looked at. It does sound like the transmission, but make sure. Grinding is never good if coming from the trans. Let them know about the speedo jumping to 10 MPH when put in reverse sitting still. To me, that is an important clue.
 
Tracy

#6128 of 6636 weird noises by jss1974

Aug 16, 2009 (8:17 pm)

2009 Jetta S A/T 200 miles
 
I hear the following:
1. if i hold steady at 50mph, there is a slight whining noise. not there beyond that speed
 
2. start car in drive way. turn A/c on and fan speed is set to its lowest level. reverse car from drive way. put in drive and slowly start driving. hear more like a metallic rattling as though a/c motor is kicking in or something and continues on while i turn left and step on gas and then the noise is gone.
 
3. On certain road, the steering wheel vibrates a lot and vibration is felt by driver and passenger..and once it felt like the wheels were about to fall off..this happened at 55mph and at 70mph

#6129 of 6636 Gas Stain on Volkswagen Jetta by stevepitts2

Aug 17, 2009 (10:40 am)

We have noticed brown stains on our 2009 Jetta Sportwagen, Candy White, just below the fuel door. These can only be removed by wet-sanding - which, obviously, is not a long term solution. has anyone else experienced this issue?

Messages Page 613 of 664

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