2001 1.8T with some problems

[bugshop]

Hi All, my name is Timmy and just joined the forum.

I bought a 2001 GLS with the 1.8T from my X sis-in-law.

The outside looks good, the inside needs cleaning.
It has less than 90k and has good compression and oil pressure.
work done so far is:
The oil pump, cam chain tensioner, Thermostat, waterpump, timing belt and tensioner, serpentine belt and tensioner and lots of other stuff including the coil pack wiring harness. Which leads me to the problem... no fire to two cylenders...

I haven't researched this any yet and haven't tested anything yet myself. They said something is killing the battery and it was dead so I disconnected it and I'm charging it over night.

Is there any common problems with the new beetle that would make it drop two cylinders?

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by bugshop

Hi All, my name is Timmy and just joined the forum.

I bought a 2001 GLS with the 1.8T from my X sis-in-law.

The outside looks good, the inside needs cleaning.
It has less than 90k and has good compression and oil pressure.
work done so far is:
The oil pump, cam chain tensioner, Thermostat, waterpump, timing belt and tensioner, serpentine belt and tensioner and lots of other stuff including the coil pack wiring harness. Which leads me to the problem... no fire to two cylenders...

I haven't researched this any yet and haven't tested anything yet myself. They said something is killing the battery and it was dead so I disconnected it and I'm charging it over night.

Is there any common problems with the new beetle that would make it drop two cylinders?

Has she replaced the sparkplugs and coil packs? Is there a Check engine light?

If you haven't changed the coil packs, go to a local vw dealership and they will do it for you for free under a semi-recently announced Coil Pack recall.

[bugshop]

OK, I haven't had a chance to talk to the guy that was doing the work but I was able to spend a few hrs. with her today.

I was able to get it running and it is not running on #1 and #4

I did a little digging and found that the plugs and coil packs have not been changed. I will be looking into the recall on the coil packs.
Will they give me the coil packs to install myself or will I have to take it in???

I did find that the three out of the four coil packs are working. Also by swapping them around I found that all four spark plugs are at least firing.

After having the battery on a slow charge for more than 24hrs I found that it is not holding an adequate charge. So I'll also be getting a new battery.

Also after having the battery disconnected while charging and the key turned off and removed. when I went to reconnect it there was a large spark at the battery and what sounded like some kind of diaphragm engaging over near the top of right front strut. Then the I could hear fuel running through the injector rail. That doesn't sound right to me..??

And there was what looks like a coolant recirculation pump near the radiator fan that was running for about one or two min. after shutoff. This may be normal but I thought I would mention it.

I'm starting to think that when he replaced the cam chain tensioner that he may have the timing off keeping it from running properly on #2 and #4.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by bugshop

OK, I haven't had a chance to talk to the guy that was doing the work but I was able to spend a few hrs. with her today.

I was able to get it running and it is not running on #1 and #4

I did a little digging and found that the plugs and coil packs have not been changed. I will be looking into the recall on the coil packs.
Will they give me the coil packs to install myself or will I have to take it in???

I did find that the three out of the four coil packs are working. Also by swapping them around I found that all four spark plugs are at least firing.

After having the battery on a slow charge for more than 24hrs I found that it is not holding an adequate charge. So I'll also be getting a new battery.

Also after having the battery disconnected while charging and the key turned off and removed. when I went to reconnect it there was a large spark at the battery and what sounded like some kind of diaphragm engaging over near the top of right front strut. Then the I could hear fuel running through the injector rail. That doesn't sound right to me..??

And there was what looks like a coolant recirculation pump near the radiator fan that was running for about one or two min. after shutoff. This may be normal but I thought I would mention it.

I'm starting to think that when he replaced the cam chain tensioner that he may have the timing off keeping it from running properly on #2 and #4.

You take it in and they do it. I'd look up their price of doing the plugs too since they'll be in there already working on them.

The recirc. pump after shutoff is normal

[bugshop]

I thought I read about some people being reimbursed after changing them them self. I don't care for the idea of taking this car to the dealer. For the most part I do not trust them and don't have a pocket full of money to give them for what ever else they may.... find.
If I have to I'll eat the cost for them to isolate that as the problem.

[Fl_bug]

Originally Posted by bugshop

I thought I read about some people being reimbursed after changing them them self. I don't care for the idea of taking this car to the dealer. For the most part I do not trust them and don't have a pocket full of money to give them for what ever else they may.... find.
If I have to I'll eat the cost for them to isolate that as the problem.

Oh, i'm sorry. If you have paid out of pocket for them, you can be reimbursed!

Click here and browse the offical coilpack site

[bugshop]

I spoke with the dealer and they said they would change the coil packs if I bring it in.
I was going to go ahead and buy one to replace the one not working and change the spark plugs to get it running. But have been a little busy at work over the last day or two.

I did pull the valve cover and checked all of the timing marks at the chain and belt and everything looks correct.

Now I need to figure out how to test the camshaft position sensor and ECM ...

And I need to figure out what it is that is sounding when I hook up the battery.? It is what looks like an old style bug horn and is located just below the windshield on the passenger side. It will sound as soon as I reconnect the battery and the fuel pump will run for two or three seconds. All of this is with the key off and removed.

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by bugshop

I spoke with the dealer and they said they would change the coil packs if I bring it in.
I was going to go ahead and buy one to replace the one not working and change the spark plugs to get it running. But have been a little busy at work over the last day or two.

I did pull the valve cover and checked all of the timing marks at the chain and belt and everything looks correct.

Now I need to figure out how to test the camshaft position sensor and ECM ...

And I need to figure out what it is that is sounding when I hook up the battery.? It is what looks like an old style bug horn and is located just below the windshield on the passenger side. It will sound as soon as I reconnect the battery and the fuel pump will run for two or three seconds. All of this is with the key off and removed.

The sound is normal fuel pump prime. You'll hear the same thing if you open up the door after the car has set for a bit (no key in ignition).

[bugshop]

Originally Posted by sb_beetle

The sound is normal fuel pump prime. You'll hear the same thing if you open up the door after the car has set for a bit (no key in ignition).

No kidding??? I guess I have alot to learn about these NBs

Still though what is that horn looking thing under the windshield on the pas. side?

[sb_beetle]

Originally Posted by bugshop

No kidding??? I guess I have alot to learn about these NBs

Still though what is that horn looking thing under the windshield on the pas. side?

Not a clue Got a pic?

[bugshop]

Originally Posted by sb_beetle

Not a clue Got a pic?

Maybe tomorrow. I will have to remove the cowl from the base of the windshield to get any kind of access to it.

There just seems to be allot of power draw when I connect the battery and the lady I got the car from said she's always had trouble keeping the battery charged and having to replace it every two or three years. So I'd like to get all these things sorted out.

Also, on that coolant recirc. pump, how long should it run after key is turned off? After turning the key off earlier the recirc pump continued to run for several min. 'till I disconnected the battery. The car had not been running so the coolant was still cold.
I see now that I'm going to have to invest in a good code reader so I can retrieve the codes as well as reset the system.

[vdub00]

of course the free replacement is not for 2000 model year

[bugshop]

I replaced the spark plugs and 2 of the 4 coil packs and got it running but still not very well. I think today I'm going to pick up two more coil packs and see if that will help.
I ran a compression test and it has 175-185 lbs on all 4 cylenders and all of the timing marks are dead on. So I hope that by changing the other two coil packs and getting a good code reader, one that I can use to reprogram the ECU myself, I'll be able to get it running like it should.

[simonsi]

Originally Posted by bugshop

I replaced the spark plugs and 2 of the 4 coil packs and got it running but still not very well.

I would change the coolant temp sensor, if it is telling the car the engine is hot then you will get poor running when cold and the coolant pump will run on even though you have cold coolant. Those two issues point me to replace the sensor. They are a common replacement on VAG engines...

If you have a laptop the VCDS and an interface cable will give you the best diagnstic system for these cars.

[bugshop]

WOW!!! I'm impressed!!!

I decided not to deal with the dealer (at least for now) on the coil packs and went ahead and bought the other two. It turns out that was the main problem the whole time. I have to say that I'm very impressed with the way this little beast runs.
I still have to replace the valve cover gasket, I didn't replace it when I removed the valve cover to check the cam timing. But I have a new one and will do that this weekend.

Thanks everyone for your help.
I now know that I didn't make a mistake buying this car.

[VDub Dan-O]

Originally Posted by bugshop

Still though what is that horn looking thing under the windshield on the pas. side?

It the meep meep horn for the theft deterrent system.

[Irish Wake]

Hey Timmmy Where in Anderson are you located? I'm over by Ashbury Park Access and just bought a 2000 bettle and went through all the things you are. My car is running great now.
Regards
Randy

[bugshop]

Originally Posted by Irish Wake

Hey Timmmy Where in Anderson are you located? I'm over by Ashbury Park Access and just bought a 2000 bettle and went through all the things you are. My car is running great now.
Regards
Randy

Is that over on Hartwell? We are on the east side of town on Broadway lake.

Yeah we had a little trouble at first but we knew we were going to since we bought her broke. But she is running like a top now. Largely because of the help and info. I received here.