- #87 of 147
-
Re: Ecp check engine lights [dipper05]
by bobcatmat
-
Feb 11, 2009 (9:18 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: dipper05 (Jan 13, 2009 10:15 am)
In my past experience (2000 Jetta TDI), when I had similar and intermittent Check Engine light turning on/off, it turned out that the battery was near the end of its life -- the voltage levels were borderline for sufficient operation. I would recommend having the battery checked as a first step.
|
- #88 of 147
-
Check engine light
by andrea45
-
Apr 04, 2009 (8:12 pm)
-
|
|
I bought an 03 Jetta 6 mo ago & the check engine light has been on & off ever since. I just had a diagnostic done & it came up w/2 possible problems; it's either the control fan module or the temp sensor. We replaced the temp sensor & it tests fine. Just had the control fan module replaced & it was fine the first day, but the check engine light just came back on! UGH!! I supposed I should have taken my car to a VW mechanic, maybe they would be more familiar w/this problem..it seems to be a quite common problem..at tleast w/the 03 model's. Can anyone tell me what the problem could possibly be?? I have to pass DEQ & only have 2 wks before my tags expire. (you cant run your car through DEQ & pass if the check engine light is on) Which is totally stupid because it passed the emissions part of the test. Help!!!
|
- #89 of 147
-
Check engine, '03 Jetta
by vwdawg
-
Apr 06, 2009 (7:29 am)
-
|
|
Andrea: I own or have owned five VWs and an Audi over the last five-six years. Sounds like you used a "general repair" shop for diagnosis. Not a bad idea considering that most VW dealers are charging $125-150 per hour. However, many VW and Audi issues require a special diagnostic setup called a "VAG", which can pinpoint the problem quickly and more accurately. You don't have to use a dealer, but probably at least a shop that specializes in VW, Audi or German autos (you still might pay $100-125 per hour). First, however, you should check into bobcatmat's suggestion regarding the battery. Good luck... VW Dawg
|
- #90 of 147
-
2000 Jetta slow electrical drain
by vw_owner12
-
Apr 09, 2009 (10:39 am)
-
|
hello, I own a 2000 4 cyl. jetta and it has a dead battery nearly everyday. I have replaced the battery and had it and the alternator checked and they are ok. There must be a slow drain somewhere is there one system I should check on first?
thanks,
|
- #91 of 147
-
Re: Check engine, '03 Jetta [vwdawg]
by andrea45
-
Apr 09, 2009 (9:27 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: vwdawg (Apr 06, 2009 7:29 am)
Hi VW Dawg, thanks for the advise..ill call around & see if I can possibly get in to see a VW/German auto mechanic. I replaced my battery a few month's ago, so im pretty sure that's not the problem. If I had known Jetta's were so touchy, I wouldn't have bought one! But at least I got my car through DEQ, so now it's just to get this problem fixed & then sell it. Im too afraid to hold onto it much longer, probably continual problems. It's a shame too, because German car's are usually really nice veh's...I appreciate your help! Thanks!...Andrea
|
- #92 of 147
-
turn signal
by jbrantley
-
Apr 13, 2009 (6:45 pm)
-
|
just today we were driving and when I used the turn signal, it just kept on making the sound it makes. you know, the ticking sound. although it was at a faster pace and at different timing. then it would stop. next time i used the signal it would continue to make the noise. then it would stop. for just a little while then sporadic ticking. is this an easy fix or something difficult.
thanks
joe
|
- #93 of 147
-
Re: Check engine, '03 Jetta [andrea45]
by vwdawg
-
Apr 14, 2009 (7:03 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: andrea45 (Apr 09, 2009 9:27 pm)
Andrea: You are very welcome. Personally, as the owner of three Jettas and a Passat in recent years, I would say "Don't give up on your Jetta so soon!". With my '99, '01 and '05 Jettas, I have to say that I have had very minimal problems. I do most of my own work, though, so that makes my repairs considerably less painful. Jettas are basically fun cars to drive and pretty economical over the long run. As with any brand, there are occasional lemons, but I think if you got to know a good VW shop that seems trustworthy and reasonably priced, you would end up being quite happy with your vehicle. Good luck, whatever you end up doing. vwd
|
- #94 of 147
-
Re: turn signal [jbrantley]
by vwdawg
-
Apr 14, 2009 (7:11 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: jbrantley (Apr 13, 2009 6:45 pm)
Joe: Check both the front and rear turn signal bulbs on your vehicle. If the signal is ticking rapidly on one side, it could be a burned out signal bulb on that side. If it is happening for both signals, I'm thinking it could be a defective flasher unit. I can't remember where the flasher unit would be on your car, but just google "flasher location" and the make/model of your car, and you will probably find an Edmunds or Bentley reference. Good luck...vwd
|
- #95 of 147
-
Re: Check engine, '03 Jetta [vwdawg]
by andrea45
-
Apr 14, 2009 (2:38 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: vwdawg (Apr 14, 2009 7:03 am)
Ok VWD...since youve been so helpful, I have another question for you:) If I take my car to a VW service mechanic & I pay yet another mechanic to run a diagnostic on my car, could he possibly come up with a different list of problems than the previous mechanic? I just hate to keep forking out all this money that I dont have, to get the same laundry list of possible problems. And if they get the same list, im really in trouble because weve already tried a new fan control module & temp sensor control. I think that's all that was on my diagnostic report. My husband thinks it could possibly be a temperature problem, but he's not really sure himself. While driving, it sometimes takes longer than 3-4 minutes to get the temp up to 190. Most of the time it takes about 4 min, but there are times it takes longer. Another question for you, do you think I should take my car to a VW dealer mech or do you think it would be better to take it to a mech that specializes in VW/German auto's? Sorry, I know im a pain, but this is all so overwhelming! Wanna buy a car ??  
|
- #96 of 147
-
Re: Check engine, '03 Jetta [andrea45]
by vwdawg
-
Apr 14, 2009 (3:17 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: andrea45 (Apr 14, 2009 2:38 pm)
Hi Andrea: As long as we're getting into extended conversations, my real name is David. I have benefitted several times from the knowledge of other VW owners (who know a LOT more than I do), so I certainly don't mind trying to help you. Did I mention the "VAG" diagnostic equipment that a VW/Audi specialty repair shop SHOULD have? I took my Passat in last year to a shop that does general repair, (a GOOD shop, by the way). They do NOT have the VAG, and their diagnostic tool showed about TWELVE different possibilities. Being very ethical, they told me they did not want to proceed because they would essentially have to go through the list of items one by one, and they might end up installing several different parts and a lot of labor before finding the actual problem. They said I should go to a VW specialty shop and get a VAG diagnostic done. I did this, and the VAG pinpointed the exact problem immediately. This shop charged $125/hour, but worth it. I wouldn't suggest that your original shop was being dishonest, but I suspect that they might have been in over their heads. It doesn't seem right to put expensive parts and labor into your car without being absolutely sure this was the problem. All it did was sour your attitude toward what might be a very fine vehicle. In summary, I would say that for most VW repairs (brakes, AC service, normal tuneups, suspension, exhaust, etc.), a general repair garage is absolutely fine. However, when it comes to "check engine" problems, I would restrict my service work to a VW/Audi specialist. To further expand on this, I personally don't like to take my vehicles into dealerships. I'm not saying that they don't do fine work, it's just that they charge very high rates and I think if you look at the forums, a lot of owners suggest there is a certain arrogance, particularly among the German auto dealerships (also, you'll never actually get to know your tech, usually never even SEE him/her). My advice would be to find a good, trustworthy VW specialty garage in your area to perform your diagnostics (talk to other VW and Audi owners...they'll be happy to refer you if they know of a good one), one with which you can establish a strong RELATIONSHIP. I believe this is the key to having a happy experience with your VW. Your husband might be correct on the temperature situation, although four minutes doesn't seem too far out of line to me. Don't give up on your Jetta just yet...take it to a good shop wilth a VAG and let me know what happens. David
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans 
