So...kirby has some quirks

[Kirby04]

My husband and I just bought Kirby - a 2004 NBC, used from a dealership. Prior to purchasing him we noticed that our CD changer was broken (dealership agreed to replace it) and the rear window in the top was coming detached from the interior fabric (also fixed by dealership). It also did not come with an owners manual so I've been trying to wing things as far as figuring out what is normal.

What I didn't notice until later were a few more things...

1. Volume adjustment nob - we have the monsoon system with the tape deck and the CD changer in the center console. Just recently I've noticed that it is difficult to get the volume to turn down very low. Sometimes if I turn the nob too quickly it will say "min" at fairly high volumes. If I then turn the nob clockwise a slowly and then re-attempt turning the volume down slowly it will slowly decrease to a normal level. At the lowest volumes possible it will alternate between getting higher and lower, even if I am still turning the nob counterclockwise. Anyone else notice this/know what to do to fix it?

2. The top - well, it's definately picky. Gets stuck completely down but with the flaps up and then won't go back up. Only happens sometimes, particularly if I try to push the "top back" button prior to the flaps raising. Thankfully I now know how to pull it up manually if need be. I've read on here that I can get it to work well if I raise and lower the windows, but so far that hasn't worked for me. WV told me they want $95 just to take a look at it - i decided it wasn't THAT broken. Anyone have any further hints?

2. No beep? - My car doesn't beep when I leave my lights on or when I open the door with the key in the ignition or if I don't put on the seatbelt. It also doesn't beep if the gas light comes on. In addition, it doesn't beep when the flaps are stuck up...i'm kinda glad it doesnt though 'cause that happens a lot and it would drive me crazy. I'm not sure at what points my beetle is supposed to beep...can anyone clue me in?

3. Blue coolant light - my NBC has a blue light that will light up on the right side of the dash whenever I turn it on and then the light will eventually turn off after several minutes of driving. Is this normal?

4. Maintenance schedule - anyone know where I can download a recommended maintenance schedule for a 2004 NBC other than buying an owners manual?

That's all I can remember about his quirks...overall we're very very happy with our purchase and look forward to years of fun!

[kingpepsisgirl]

Originally Posted by Kirby04

2. No beep? - My car doesn't beep when I leave my lights on or when I open the door with the key in the ignition or if I don't put on the seatbelt. It also doesn't beep if the gas light comes on. In addition, it doesn't beep when the flaps are stuck up...i'm kinda glad it doesnt though 'cause that happens a lot and it would drive me crazy. I'm not sure at what points my beetle is supposed to beep...can anyone clue me in?

3. Blue coolant light - my NBC has a blue light that will light up on the right side of the dash whenever I turn it on and then the light will eventually turn off after several minutes of driving. Is this normal?

Hi there I'm no expert in cars by any means but...

No beep? You are SO lucky! OMG this thing beeps and beeps and beeps again and then will beep at you just for the heck of beeping! It's my one complaint with the car. I'm short so I have to be pretty far up in order to use the clutch and God forbid my husband put the keys in the car before I got in it. The door beeps, then you sit and it beeps constantly until you get the seat belt on which I can never find with ease because...again...I'm short so my arm reach isn't quite long enough to just grab it and put it on like a normal car. ANYWAY, my dad said that there's a fuse or some sort of plug you can unplug on most cars to stop the beeping. I don't know where that is...but this could be the issue with you. Maybe the previous owners couldn't take the beeping either

As for the blue cool light...this is normal. I asked my husband the same thing. It's just letting you know the engine is cold and it shuts off when its warm. He said the only time I'd have to worry about it if it never shuts off or if it's red.

I can't help with anything else, but I hope you can get answers for those soon.

[lovethesun123]

Hi there and congrats on your NBC.

As far as Maintenance schedules, try this link:
VW Online Technical Library

The maintenance schedules are about half-way down the page. There is also some helpful information on that site as well.

I agree with the previous poster, this car beeps for EVERYTHING so I guess you could consider yourself blessed on that issue. Just keep your eye on the fuel gauge and fill up when needed I've been looking for a way to turn off the seat belt beeps. The book says that it will stop after 5 minutes or so. Haven't really let it go for that long to find out. It drives me crazy long before that point and I just put it on

Enjoy your ride and please, post some pics. We love pics around here and would love to see your new baby.