Did I Get A Bad Beetle?

[FLSHADOW74]

Hi,
Just found this site after being over at TDIClub.Com
I was wondering if anyone else has heard or had this happen.

I have a 2005 New Beetle GLS TDI (Later Year Model)

I had my TURBO go out in under 5,000 miles (was replaced)
last week at 6,500 miles I got a Check Engine light took
it to the dealership (which is an hour away) they said
it was the thermostat and replaced it. I drive it roughly
2 more operating hours and I get another Check Engine light. So now I have to take it to the local dealership next week
to find out what the hell is going on.

Any Ideas?

[GatorBeetle]

Sometimes there are bad "apples." I would look into the "Land of Lincoln" Lemon Laws...just in case...Here's hoping this last problem is the LAST for the next 45,000 miles!!

[FLSHADOW74]

Originally Posted by GatorBeetle

Sometimes there are bad "apples." I would look into the "Land of Lincoln" Lemon Laws...just in case...Here's hoping this last problem is the LAST for the next 45,000 miles!!

Actually, I bought it when I lived in Stuart, FL be a real
pain to take that back under that lemon law. When I moved I
had it trucked to my house with my furniture.

[GatorBeetle]

Good ol' Martin County...had a good friend in school from Martin County....but I digress...yes, that would be a hassle. Definately hope they get it figured out for you...maybe if we keep this thread alive, someone can give you an idea...although, if they don't know at TDIClub, you might not get an answer...they know their stuff over there!!

[Taters Toy]

I don't have a TDI, but I'm having similar probs with mine. Since I bought it in Jan. (used 2001 1.8t) it has had a hesitation. Its gotten worse and now the AC stopped working. I took it back (bought the extended warranty thank god) and told them to keep it till its running right. Frustrating as :

[hannaco]

Just to keep some semblance of sanity, consider getting a scanner to read the codes. Without knowing what the code is, you are only speculating on the cause. There is a good chance that a vacuum hose or sensor wire was knocked loose when the turbo was replaced. If so, it will be a quick and easy fix.

[Breez]

I live blocks from a Checker and and Auto Zone... They have scanned codes for me in the past on my jetta, and it was free. That way when I went into the Stealership I was ready to have a educated discussion because I already knew what the code was and why that code must have been storing (ah yes, I love the wonders of the internet)

Im so sorry you are having these issues! When I bought my brand new jetta back in 1998, I swear, I never had any issues(except the power windows), years later, it was just because of the older age. My used beetle has just had to have her brake light sensor replaced... but thats an issue with almost all beetles I hear. So I have been extremely happy with Volkswagen.

Make sure to keep all your paperwork on these repairs... you might have to contact VWoA and thats going to be a pain in the tush.

Good luck, I wish you and your beetle only the best.

[dunno513]

My last truck (ford) had a hellish first 10k miles. It was in the shop so many times for stupid silly stuff, that I used to make a joke about how long the printout was each time they wrote up the service warranty paperwork. Never a serious problem, except for the few recalls like removal of the entire intake to replace a gasket, or a leaky water pump seal once. Just check engine lights up the wazzoooo. Hated it, but after that, it went flawless for the next 120k miles until I sold it. altenator died, but thats childsplay. Ok, front springs too, but I used to hit speed bumps at 60 mph so I deserved that.

Don't fret the little stuff. It happens to all cars. Mostly electrical crap that was made by a sweatshop somewhere in poverty central. I agree with the last post, buy yourself a OBDII code reader. Does not have to be expensive to get the basics. I paid $60 for mine and love it.

[slpopp]

On my 2005 TDI they replaced the MAF sensor (car had seemed slugish) and the improved performance seemed to last roughly 2 running hours also (took two days of driving to work to get this) before it seemed like it returned to it's previous self.

No CEL lights or heavy smoke either. Power seems to be off and on.



Questions about the function of the CEL light and OBDII readers in general...

1. Does the CEL light stay on until the code is cleared, or does it stay on only as long as the problem exists?

2. Will any OBDII reader work, or would I have to look for specific features?

3. Is the CEL list that is a sticky in this group valid for the PD motors as well?

4. Will the OBDII reader be able to read only CEL codes or can it check the DTC memory as well (or are these two the same)?

[dunno513]

Answers, although not much help.

1. Can't say for sure w/vw, but some codes will clear themselves after a certain point if they were just a fluke. Some cars, the light will turn off, but the code will remain stored.

2. OBDII scanners will work, but as you pay more, you get enhanced features like being able to check for things while driving. The cheapest ones, like mine just read the code and have the ablity to clear it too. These will read 99% of the codes if not 100%.

Spend a couple hundred and you can get the VW prefered VAG-COM to run on a laptop. It does everything that the VW diagnostic tools do, and more they claim.

3. CEL codes cover the gamut.. There are so many that every vehicle falls onto one of the categories for each component. Now whether or not you can detect which thingy-me-bob has gone bad for the code given is up to experience.

4. DTC is the code that is stored.. Diagnostic Trouble Code (?) and the CEL Check Engine Light is what comes on to alert you that there is a DTC in the WTF So ya, one in the same.

[slpopp]

Originally Posted by dunno513

Answers, although not much help.

1. Can't say for sure w/vw, but some codes will clear themselves after a certain point if they were just a fluke. Some cars, the light will turn off, but the code will remain stored.

2. OBDII scanners will work, but as you pay more, you get enhanced features like being able to check for things while driving. The cheapest ones, like mine just read the code and have the ablity to clear it too. These will read 99% of the codes if not 100%.

Spend a couple hundred and you can get the VW prefered VAG-COM to run on a laptop. It does everything that the VW diagnostic tools do, and more they claim.

3. CEL codes cover the gamut.. There are so many that every vehicle falls onto one of the categories for each component. Now whether or not you can detect which thingy-me-bob has gone bad for the code given is up to experience.

4. DTC is the code that is stored.. Diagnostic Trouble Code (?) and the CEL Check Engine Light is what comes on to alert you that there is a DTC in the WTF So ya, one in the same.

Thank you for these answers. They are helpfull on my question about the codes and OBDII scanners. I just thought I would mention my experiences so far on my 2005 TDI being somewhat simillar to FLSHADOW74's (only as far as the car running O.K. for roughly two hours).

I will start another thread about my problems because I don't want to hijack this one.

[mgwerks]

Originally Posted by slpopp

On my 2005 TDI they replaced the MAF sensor (car had seemed slugish) and the improved performance seemed to last roughly 2 running hours also (took two days of driving to work to get this) before it seemed like it returned to it's previous self.

No CEL lights or heavy smoke either. Power seems to be off and on.



Questions about the function of the CEL light and OBDII readers in general...

1. Does the CEL light stay on until the code is cleared, or does it stay on only as long as the problem exists?

2. Will any OBDII reader work, or would I have to look for specific features?

3. Is the CEL list that is a sticky in this group valid for the PD motors as well?

4. Will the OBDII reader be able to read only CEL codes or can it check the DTC memory as well (or are these two the same)?

A generic OBD II scanner will only frustrate you. Most of the codes you need are mfg-specific ones, and it takes either Uwe's Vag-Com or the VW 5051 (I think) tool to read them. you could also look at the vag-com list in the title bar at TDIclub to see if someone near you has one and will scan your car for you.

[GatorBeetle]

I am SO glad you edited that, Mark!!!

[FLSHADOW74]

Well I took it to AutoZone and they read the code on it
came back as P0128 Coolant Temperature Sensor which is
what my paper work from the stealership said they had
replaced. Also it showed the same code twice is it
possible they did not clear it from the last time?

Thanks again folks. - Will

[mgwerks]

Originally Posted by GatorBeetle

I am SO glad you edited that, Mark!!!

I was hoping no one saw my typo - you are way too fast!

[GatorBeetle]

Yes, it is possible they didn't clear all stored codes...I would have it cleared, and wait to see if it comes back.

[GatorBeetle]

Originally Posted by mgwerks

I was hoping no one saw my typo - you are way too fast!

That was like something I would have done...