2001 NB Headlight question...among other things.

[theatredivachu]

So, I've had my bug for about 5 years now. It has 95k miles on it, it's been a good little car to me and I still love it.
However....
Within the past week of it turning 95k miles, I've had the following problems:

a) My ABS light on my dash coming on.
b) My blue temperature gauge light flashing blue.
c) The low-beams on my headlights going out, both at the same time. Interrior lights, turn signals/brakes, foglamps, AND hi-beams all work. Daytime running and lo-beams do not work.
d) Check engine light flashing.

Is this normal? I know the indicator lights are a problem and I need to fix them...but jesus. 4 problems within a week of it turning over 95k?
Also, does anybody have any suggestions on what could be the problem with my headlights? I've checked the bulbs, they are fine. Fuses? No problem there. And...the check engine light flashing. Any idea here too? It only did it the one time, I stopped, let her sit for a while...and then continued on home and no flashing light.

Oh yeah, I'm new here too. Sorry for bombarding you with all these questions, but maybe I can find some help.

[digitalputty]

Welcome to the .org.

1. Not sure about this.

2. Mine too. I've read that it is possibly a bad temperature sensor. Doesn't cost that much to place (YEAH!)

3. This is normal. :P There is a thread around here somewhere that will describe with photos how to replace it. And replace the lights with OEM Sylvania lights ... they are the cheapest and evidentially last the longest.

4. You will have to go to a VW shop (cheaper than dealer), or the dealer to get this looked at. And don't let them take you for a ride either. Get a copy of the codes (a print out from your dealer) to keep a personal record of what work is done (in case the CEL comes on again).

I hope I helped ya a bit.

[SilverSportNOLA]

Welcome to the org .... that is amazing that you are finally seeing these thing ... now if you had 25K miles I could believe it. The headlight usually last about 3 years .. so you have been on borrowed time for about 2 years. I never got the blue temp light when my temp sensor began failing, it gave a CEL that came every week until I changed the temp sensor (I cleared the codes each time). Get the codes, you may be able to get them read at a local AutoZone. Flashing CEL is usually coilpacks, you didn't say which engine you have, but if it is a 1.8T Turbo, the coilpacks were recalled ... don't know if they will still replace them free ... most 01 cars had the failure about 2 years ago. Let us know more about your car.

[bobbittle]

1. No idea
2. Temp sensor on coolant flange is bad, get a new one, easy fix
3. Bulbs commonly go out together or very close together.
4. Flashing CEL indicates a misfire. When was the last time your plugs were changed? You could have a bad coil pack or coil.

At 95k a trip to the dealer for a general tune up might be in order unless you've been doing all the maintenance yourself. It's also time for timing belt/water pump replacement if it hasn't been done yet.

[bobbittle]

Originally Posted by SilverSportNOLA

Welcome to the org .... that is amazing that you are finally seeing these thing ... now if you had 25K miles I could believe it. The headlight usually last about 3 years .. so you have been on borrowed time for about 2 years. I never got the blue temp light when my temp sensor began failing, it gave a CEL that came every week until I changed the temp sensor (I cleared the codes each time). Get the codes, you may be able to get them read at a local AutoZone. Flashing CEL is usually coilpacks, you didn't say which engine you have, but if it is a 1.8T Turbo, the coilpacks were recalled ... don't know if they will still replace them free ... most 01 cars had the failure about 2 years ago. Let us know more about your car.

I contacted my dealer about coil pack recall on my 2000 1.8 and he said there wasn't one out...don't know about the 01's.

[SilverSportNOLA]

Originally Posted by bobbittle

I contacted my dealer about coil pack recall on my 2000 1.8 and he said there wasn't one out...don't know about the 01's.

I don't think they did one on the 00 ... it uses a different coilpack. I am not really sure they did one for the 01.5 but when you went in with a failed coil they would change all 4 of them out and not charge ... could have been warranty but I do recall a more broad TSB on them.

[theatredivachu]

Originally Posted by SilverSportNOLA

Welcome to the org .... that is amazing that you are finally seeing these thing ... now if you had 25K miles I could believe it. The headlight usually last about 3 years .. so you have been on borrowed time for about 2 years. I never got the blue temp light when my temp sensor began failing, it gave a CEL that came every week until I changed the temp sensor (I cleared the codes each time). Get the codes, you may be able to get them read at a local AutoZone. Flashing CEL is usually coilpacks, you didn't say which engine you have, but if it is a 1.8T Turbo, the coilpacks were recalled ... don't know if they will still replace them free ... most 01 cars had the failure about 2 years ago. Let us know more about your car.

Thanks!! My car's been in two accidents(), both of which the front end got hit pretty hard so twice the lamps were replaced, those are definatly not the original lamps! I have a 2.0L GLS Bug.
Thanks for all the help so far, this is at least narrowing down the problems.

[theatredivachu]

Originally Posted by bobbittle

1. No idea
2. Temp sensor on coolant flange is bad, get a new one, easy fix
3. Bulbs commonly go out together or very close together.
4. Flashing CEL indicates a misfire. When was the last time your plugs were changed? You could have a bad coil pack or coil.

At 95k a trip to the dealer for a general tune up might be in order unless you've been doing all the maintenance yourself. It's also time for timing belt/water pump replacement if it hasn't been done yet.

I've been doing most of the stuff myself (or, rather pawning it off on my more mechanical-savvy boyfriend) because I just can't afford the amount my dealer charges for stuff like that. I was wondering when the timing belt would need to be replaced....I'll have him take a gander at that too. I believe the last accident I got into the water pump was damaged so it's been replaced...I'll double check my records of that.

Plugs were changed about 8 months ago.
So it's pretty common to loose your low-beams but still have the hi-beams when the lamps go out? At least that's what I'm reading.

[bobbittle]

The highs and lows are two different bulbs.

I'd pull the coil packs and check them for cracks/breaks/etc. That might be your culprit on the misfire. That failing it would be time to either go to the dealer and get it scanned or find someone local to you with vag-com.

[theatredivachu]

Originally Posted by bobbittle

The highs and lows are two different bulbs.

Oooh! Gotcha!

[SilverSportNOLA]

Good luck with it all .... get us the codes if you can ... we can help much more with that. Mine was wrecked twice on each front side before I bought it ... the repairs were good ... not great ... that is according to carfax.