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Volkswagen Jetta Maintenance and Repair



  • gonzomdgonzomd Posts: 3
    I live in Texas, Lemon Law is written for manufacturers not the consumer. attorney's fees are not paid, etc. I think the best fix is a new one with no track record. ECU may not fix it according to service dept.
  • jmercerjmercer Posts: 1
    Does anyone know how you pop of the A/C/Heat air vent face plates on the dash so you can get inside and track down the rattles?
  • I have a 2000 Jetta GLS with 60K miles.

    I recently brought in my Jetta to fix passenger side window (regulator broke!) and VW Service says that Oil Pan was damaged and needs to be replaced as well.

    So I did, for about $320. Then brought into Honda dealership for Trade-In and they said Oil Pan was wrong model, the plug that came with it was not there and the Wires were cut - which is the reason why MIL light is on. It will cost Honda $1000 to fix.

    What is the relation between Mil Light, Oil Pan, Wires? Why did VW quote me $300 while Honda says $1000? Any advice on moving forward?

    Anyone have any similar problems? Hate Jetta, tired of it, that's why trading for as much value as I can...

  • soupnazisoupnazi Posts: 15
    First, I need some more info. What engine do you have? 2.0, TDI, VR6? The only wire that I can think of that would be related to the oil pan would be the one to the oil pressure switch, but that's located on the oil filter flange. The pan itself shouldn't be involved. If the wire from the sending unit was cut, that would explain the MIL light being on. How does it behave? Does it occasionally come on or is it on constantly?
    Also, the plug that came with the oil pan is not there? Are you driving around without an oil plug (hence no oil)? I don't know how you could even have the wrong oil pan. The wrong one wouldn't even seal right and you'd be leaking oil at an outrageous rate. I'm not sure that I'd trust a Honda dealership's diagnosis of your oil pan. It sounds to me like they're trying to give you B.S. to low-ball you on trade in value. Why would the VW dealership cut the wire to the oil pressure sending unit? If they did, the MIL light would've been on when you got the car back from being repaired, and you should've told them they screwed something up with your car.
    Gimme some details and I'll see what I can tell you.
  • moparbadmoparbad Posts: 3,842
    First I would like to help. Having said that I have to say that your post does not make a lot of sense. Only way your oil pan would be checked during replacement of window regulator is if it was leaking. Was it? Second thing is a dealership usually does not put a 2 year old car on a lift and check it out during a trade evaluation. Even if they did I have to agree with soup that a wrong oil pan and no plug would not be driveable.
    The best advice I can give you is to never take a vehicle in for a trade with the MIL on. If things are really as screwed up as your post indicates, take your car back to the dealer that did the work and have them fix what they screwed up, ask nicely, then if they refuse take the car to a knowledgeable independent mechanic and get an estimate on the repairs and ask what was the cause of the problems. As long as the cause is the original dealer the next step would be to ask the dealer to fix the problem again or end up in court. It's your time and money and it will either take time or money to fix your Jetta problem.
  • alcanalcan Posts: 2,550
    It sounds like the oil pan they installed doesn't have the low oil level sending unit.
  • jbkreegsjbkreegs Posts: 11
    I will be storing my 99 Jetta vr6 between several months to a year. Is there any suggestions on things I need to do to prepare it for storage?
  • Here's some more info:
    - Jetta 2000, GLS, 2.0
    - MIL Light is constantly on. It's been on for about 6 mos. now. However, brought it in last month for Replacement of malfunctioning Oygen Sensor (recall letter)
    - Check Engine light was off for one week after recall fixing then came back on again.
    - I brought in the car to fix broken passenger side window and get recall work done. They called me same day that Oil Pan needed to be replaced - and I gave my approval $300+ for oil pan work.
    - FYI, there were no leaks that I reported. VW just called and said it needed to be done.

    Some revelations/questions from everyone's post:
    - sounds like Honda is low-balling me and giving outrageous explanations for MIL light being on. My mistake to go in without having that fixed, at least temporarily. Needless to say I'm still unhappy with Jetta with all maintenance issues.
    - ALCAN's post. Honda did mention that there was a wire clipped and I do remember few times when oil level was very low, however CHECK OIL light never came on. I will speak to VW to fix that.
    - Still want to trade-in Jetta for as much value as I can. Any explanation on my issues and advice moving forward would be greatly appreciated.

    Disclosure:) if my posts do not make any sense, just to let everyone one know - I don't know anything about cars and still trying to get up to speed with all terminolgies. Thanks again for being patient and everyone's help!!!
  • gslevegsleve Posts: 183
    come on before they react to a impending oil starvation problem, oil should be checked monthly, if not, waiting for the idiot light to inform one of a potential problem is way too late. By this time you've seriously tasked the oil do a its job over and above its function, and have allowed potential damage to occur.

    Would it not be wise to check oil level monthly rather than trusting a mechanical or electronic device to warn you, thereby sustaining damage to the engine
  • soupnazisoupnazi Posts: 15
    Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. I'm afraid I'm a bit baffled in the cause of your problems. My guess is that the reoccurance of the check engine light episode is due to a separate problem. (Perhaps the replaced oxygen sensor). If the clipped wire were causing the check engine light to come on, and it was clipped when your oil pan was replaced, it should've been on from the moment you got your car back. I'm afraid I can't tell you without looking at it or scanning the codes. One clue would be to check how the low-pressure light behaves when you start the car. A properly connected and operating oil pressure sending unit should behave as follows: you turn the key and start the car, the light comes on and remains on for about 2-3 seconds, then shuts off. If yours does this, then it's probably not that switch.

    This all being said, I'd say your best bet is to get the problem looked at (I would take it to a different VW dealership that you last did) and get it fixed. Don't tell them the history of what's been done to it or where it's been serviced, make them come up with a unbiased diagnosis. I'd then take your trade to a competing Honda dealership to see what happens. Sometimes the difference in dealerships is like night and day. Don't take any financial lumps to get rid of it. Even with the problems that you've had, the car is extremely marketable for them, and blue book trade in value does take into account some reconditioning of the car to sell. There's always a market. Best of luck.
  • many months ago a knocking sound began from the front end of my car as the car moved slowly and when I turned the steering wheel. I got it fixed when they replaced the rubber joint of the front stabilizer bar. A day later it was back but each time I took it back they said they didn't hear it, and sometimes it really didn't make the noise. When winter came around and it was mighty cold, it only made the sound after two+ hours of constant driving but now that its hot out, you hear the sound after just a few minutes. Every other time I asked the dealer if it was dangeorus they said no but now I am going to Washington DC this weekend for a round trip of about 500 miles and am concened this is dangerous because I read somewhere how the Golf had a recall for a problem with similar symptoms. I called VW again and now they said they can't say its safe without looking at it. I really don't have time to take the car tomorrow because I have school and the darn mechanics go home at 4 so what do you guys think?? Take my car? Is it a serious problem? What would you guys do? Sorry for the loong post.
  • vw2002vw2002 Posts: 3
    My 97 Jetta, GLS's check engine light went on two weeks ago. The mechanics told that one of the O2 sensor was no good, so he replaced it, cost me 240$. But the light went on again the same night, so I brought it back and he spent another hour on it and finally figured it out there was a mis-wiring somewhere. He fixed the wiring and now the check engine light is out in the past week.

    But my problem is that before replacing the "broken" O2 sensor, I have about 25 mile/gal on highway, but now only has about 20. I just really don't understand why fixing the O2 with a new one would decrease the gas-mileage.

    Any advice is highly appreciated!
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Posts: 1,391
    You should also ask to refund part of the $240, since he mis-diagnosed it the first time.
  • protege_fanprotege_fan Posts: 2,405
    Hey all,
    what are your opinions of the mid 90's level Jettas (ie. 1996 and up)? I'm helping my brother look for a car and was considering the Jetta...the only thing that shakes me are the electrical problems that I often hear about.

    What kind of engines did they offer back then? Which ones were better? Any particular trim recommended? Thanks.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Posts: 1,391

    The two better engines are the VR6 and TDI (Diesel)
  • I have a 2000 Jetta TDI, consistent 52-54 mpg. Recently had an anomaly. I got 72 mpg on one tank, next tank 56. I make the same 80mile commute every day. Keep it to 70mph maximum.
    75 miles of this ride is highway. Any ideas as to why this would happen? I would obviously like to duplicate. I know that it's valid, because I'm the one that fills it up.
  • bb100bb100 Posts: 3
    Have a 1997 and live in Texas where we have been running the A/C lots lately. Noticed today that it sounds like there is water "sloshing" around behind the dash on the passenger side (i.e. by the vents). Also dripping some water onto the passenger side carpet. Not good. I do see condensation dripping underneath the car which is normal. Any ideas?
  • This is the second time I have had problems with my passenger's side window. My friend also had the same problem and so did his sister in law. Is this a common problem.Please help, by the way how long should the work be warrantied if the window regulator motor was repaired in December of 2001.
  • I need advise. I have a 99 Jetta, is this car worth keeping. I have had more problems in this car (ex. shrinking headliner, o2 sensor, mass air sensor, power windows, and locks, cd player problems) than my two other cars (both honda). I am looking at long term; I don't want to keep this car if it is going to die as soon as the warranty ends.
  • I have ' 95 Jetta GL and had the same engine light/oxygen sensor problem starting at about 50k miles like some other people here. I got it fixed about two weeks ago, but ever since then the performance has dramatically decreased. The same (but not as bad) goes for the gas mileage. It feels as if the car has about 60 horsepower, there's no acceleration. Does anybody know what to do? I haven't complained to the dealer yet, I thought I'd get some "ammunition" before being caught offguard by a lame excuse.
  • kjd3kjd3 Posts: 1
    Anyone heard of problems with the 2002 Jetta Radio reception?

    The sound will randomly switch from stereo to mono tone and back.

    Also, the power to the radio cuts out occasionally and all stations need to be re programmed.

    Any advice? It's not a fuse problem.
  • jphdxljphdxl Posts: 32
    I too am having problems with the Monsoon in my 02 Jetta (the newer double din radio). When playing the radio, the sound is pretty awful. When playing a CD it actually sounds pretty good. Then the other day it just died. Started the car and the radio would not turn on. Pulled the fuse (which was not blown) and when I reinstalled the same fuse, the stereo started to work, although it no longer says Monsoon when you turn it on. The dealer says there's a TSB on this and they're going to replace the radio when I bring it in next time. It's not worth leaving the car for the day as the radio is sort of working now.
  • dageedagee Posts: 2
    I have a 2002 Jetta V6, five speed standard transmission. The clutch failed after 3063 miles. The service department at the dealership has been working on the car for two weeks. They have replaced the clutch system twice and the motor mounts and the problem is still unresolved. There is vibration and noise from the clutch system and the transmission. The service department is stumped; waiting for advice from VW International and I think I've got a LEMON. Anybody have similar problem or advice?
  • zebrajebzebrajeb Posts: 1
    Recently purchased a 2002 Jetta TDI. Anyone know where I can get a detailed repair manual? I don't have any problems, but like to do my own work when possible. Since I'm new to the diesel TDI, thought I'd like to get a repair manual.


  • moparbadmoparbad Posts: 3,842
    Repair manual by Bentley Publishers is what you need. Good news is that it is on sale for roughly half of the normal price. Go to and do search for Bentley Manual as there is a post telling where to get the manual at the sale price. I can't remember exactly what merchant had it for sale. TDIClub is invaluable for knowledge about the TDI and you should spend some time there.
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Posts: 1,391
    Many places sell them, some local dealerships carry them,

    are two places I know of online

  • gp33122gp33122 Posts: 3
    I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T automatic. Has anyone else experienced some misfire at early morning startup, but then goes away after a few seconds. I took the car to VW service and they changed the wires and spark plugs and kept it over night to start it up in the morning. Next morning came and it kept misfiring. They then emptied the gas tank and put their own gas and kept it over night again. Next morning the misfiring did not occur. Service advisor said to try a different gas station, always using premium gas of course. I tried that for a few weeks and it seemed to work, but I've noticed that it has slowly started to misfire at early morning startups again. Has anyone else experienced this and got it fixed? If so, what got fixed?
  • david0422david0422 Posts: 4
    Does anyone know where I can buy a HID headlight with good price for my 2000 Jetta GLS ?

    Second, how can I do in order not to have day running light ?

    Thank you very much !
  • 8u6hfd8u6hfd Posts: 1,391
    To remove the DRL's:

    1. At the headlight switch, push the knob in firmly, then twist to the right

    2. Pull the switch out

    3. Locate the "TFL" pin and cover it with electrical tape.

    4. Reinstall switch.


    With the HID's, keep in mind, putting in a retrofit kit will eliminate your high beams (which may fail safety inspection). You can import OEM HID's, but that's pretty expensive.

    try places like

  • unhappyvwunhappyvw Posts: 1
    My 2002 vw jetta w/ only 2k miles just died on the freeway. I was merging onto the freeway, all of a sudden, the generator light came on and the car became powerless, and within secs, died! VW told me it's the transmission, and they will replace it with a new one, they said there is fluid leak and the transmission is falling apart, there is clutch material inside etc. Any thoughts?
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