Brake Light, Check engine light, air bag light, but wait theres more

[djack19]

I recently purchased a 1999 New Beetle 2.0 It has ~110000 miles on it. I got it from a friend of a friend about a month ago and it has a few probems. I've been trying to narrow it down, but have very little time lately because of finals.
When I bought the car, she said that there were some things wrong with it, but she had the shop that has worked on it since she had it fix everything, or so I thought. First the air bag light came on, within a week.
After a bit the brake warning light came on. Sometimes it is not on at first but after a bit of driving comes on. I've read all day of a brake light switch failure recall and am calling the dealership tomorrow. Also, the rear lights are aftermarket but I don't know anything about the brand, but the side lights don't work for braking but work as tailights, while the third light constantly glows but turns bright while braking normally.
And this past two weeks has been the worst two weeks of my life:
The charging light came on and my battery died last early last week, had a mechanic friend who works on VWs take a look at it, he said could be the battery since my battery fluid was very low, got a new battery, nothing. He said we may as well find an alternator so I got that replaced. Worked fine for about 15 minutes city driving, when I got the inevitable sign my battery was low, the ABS light and engine idle at 1,000 rpms, as I happen to be driving by a checker auto parts. I have them check the charge system and while hooking it up the woman noticed some melting at the black fuse for the alternator on the battery fuse panel, after looking closer it was not making a connection and after brushing it off, all of my readings were normal. No problems since then, but getting that checked out as soon as I have time after finals, or after winter break (car will be parked while I got home).
Now today to top it all off, the speedometer started to bounce around and soon stopped working, and the fuel gage became erratic as well, but still bounces. As a result my odometer is stuck. Maybe a speed sensor? I took it to get the code read this afternoon but my CEL didn't come on until I parked my car for the evening at around 1:00 am. I had been at the library all day, after a fun game of guessing my speed.
Now there is one more bigger problem that I'm afraid to even think about... Also tonight as I was parking, I turned off my car and took out the key only to realize, it was still running!d the abs light came on and the brake light started to blink. when i turned off my lights, the car turned off like nothing happened.
I know it is a lot to read and I really appreciate any help on any combo of issues. I'm beginning to think I should go home for break, hope it's not here when I get back and just pay my deductible and buy a different car.

[djack19]

Sorry about the formating, it looked better while i was writting it...

[Growler]

disconnect the electrical connection at the coolant bottle and pray that it is dry.

if it is dry. take a good look at all of the connections in the fuse panel under the hood. you might also do a search for relay 109 it seems to be the main power relay and your symptoms sound famiiar. relay 109 is about $20-$30 to buy at a dealer so its not too expensive. do a search on TDI club forums for relay 109 and you wil find tons of good info.


if there is liquid there.. read up on coolant migration and prepare for a big repair bill. its not good. not good at all.

I wish you the best.

Aaron

[dunno513]

coolant migration is when coolant leaks down the electrical connection to the coolant bottle and messes up the electrical wiring. Over a long period of time it can result in electrical gremlins and require replacing or fixing the wiring harness.

This was a common VW issue and VW like always, turned away from it's customers.

[DistantTwinkle]

I myself own a problematic 98 new beetle with 90,000 miles that I love no matter what. For some time, my speedometer was acting funny like yours, it wasn't reading right and probably 3 to 4 times after filling up my tank my gas guage just dropped like I was completely empty, since then the problem dissappered and I've moved onto new issues with the car. I don't know if you tried it yet but a tune up is always a good thing to do when getting a used car or at least in my mind. I know what its like to buy an older beetle that needs some TLC, I've had the luvbug for some time and she's still a work in progress. I'll be replacing her door panels this week. Good Luck with your car and don't give up on her

~Pam~

[djack19]

I looked at the connection on the coolant bottle and it was bone dry. However while looking at the fuse panel under the hood, there is some melting and corrosion on the fuse with the black wire that in the manual is the generator fuse. Could any of this be caused by the brake light switch, i have an appointment on friday to have that replaced.

[djack19]

I looked at the connection on the coolant bottle and it was bone dry. However while looking at the fuse panel under the hood, there is some melting and corrosion on the fuse with the black wire that in the manual is the generator fuse. Could any of this be caused by the brake light switch, i have an appointment on friday to have that replaced.

[momichica]

I own a 2000 Beetle, and have experienced the same problems within a few months of ownership. Within the first year of buying it used w/63,000 miles my alternator, starter, were replaced. My airbag came on, I have had no accidents, and still remains on. My alarm went wacko and it cost me $800 for alarm repair, reset, new remote. My ABS light constantly went on for 4 months even after replacing the brake pads. My car sometimes wont start like its not getting gas, like its clogged. But when i have it towed to the mechanic 25 miles away, it starts up fine. My speedometer no longer works after being erratic for a few months, its stuck after 110 mile mark. My gas gauge does not always work it gets stuck a empty even with a full tank. Sometimes it loses power while driving on the freeway, like it is about to die, then all of a sudden regains power, scary! My mechanic constantly resets my check engine light but without fail they will come back on. Now my emissions needs repair, valves bad, I refuse to spend any more money on this piece of crap. I will drive it to its grave or mine whichever comes first! Is there something that can be done to report such a lemon of a car??? Oh yeah I have also had air conditioning problems, water pump replaced, timing belt replaced, broken window switch, mirror adjusting switch, center VW decals fell off rim, center console broke. I leave it unlocked hoping someone will "borrow it" and I pay the deductible for another car (not another VW)

[CASilBug]

I have a 1999 New Beetle 2.0 GLS. Took it in for service at the dealership. Had the oil change service done and the only thing that needed to be replaced was a broken brake light. Ever since I replaced the alternator last year, knock wood its been a solid car and fun to drive. I have no issues because I baby it and keep up with the maintainance.

[CASilBug]

Carfax is your friend when buying a used car. I didn't buy mine until I was sure there weren't any serious mechanical problems with it. It came with a failing starter motor, promptly replaced. The OEM alternator sucked. I should have it replaced it sooner. All in all for me, the New Beetle has been for the most part, a problem free car. But others here have been less fortunate in their NB ownership experience.

[noR]

Wow, that sucks, sounds like someone's been taking you for a ride....

Originally Posted by momichica

I own a 2000 Beetle, and have experienced the same problems within a few months of ownership. Within the first year of buying it used w/63,000 miles my alternator, starter, were replaced.

I wonder which one actually broke. Can't say the 2 are even related by much.

Originally Posted by momichica

My airbag came on, I have had no accidents, and still remains on.

And it will until the cause is found and repaired. Probably a wiring harness or a seat-sensor issue.

Originally Posted by momichica

My alarm went wacko and it cost me $800 for alarm repair, reset, new remote.

Wow, a whole new remote? The old system went out in a big ball of glory and even took the wireless remote down with it? I'm sorry, but someone's taking you for granted.

Originally Posted by momichica

My ABS light constantly went on for 4 months even after replacing the brake pads.

The ABS sensors are near the brake pads, but replacing the pads won't affect ABS. Maybe the sensor just needs cleaned off; or maybe the ABS pumps need to be bled using a vag-com (air in the pump).

Originally Posted by momichica

My car sometimes wont start like its not getting gas, like its clogged. But when i have it towed to the mechanic 25 miles away, it starts up fine.

Interesting, and tough to find. Possibly a coil pack problem where temperature/humidity play a role. Or maybe the fuel pump isn't getting the signal to prime when you open the drivers side door. Hmm, I wonder if your door's microswitch works telling the car when you're getting in and out.

Originally Posted by momichica

My speedometer no longer works after being erratic for a few months, its stuck after 110 mile mark.

Phooey. That sucks, I wonder if it's the speed sensor in the transmission, or if it's the instrument cluster starting to fail. Maybe the 'not starting' thing is the immobilizer in the instrument cluster also failing....

Originally Posted by momichica

My gas gauge does not always work it gets stuck a empty even with a full tank. Sometimes it loses power while driving on the freeway, like it is about to die, then all of a sudden regains power, scary!

Yeah, you've got some severe electrical system issues in regards to that cluster, that's a shame, those can be expensive.

Originally Posted by momichica

My mechanic constantly resets my check engine light but without fail they will come back on.

Sure, if you don't actually fix the problem, they'll do that. It's also one way of checking to see if a repair had the desired effect or not. Sometimes diagnosis can be tricky.

Originally Posted by momichica

Now my emissions needs repair, valves bad,

I'm assuming that's the EGR valve; probably clogged.

Originally Posted by momichica

I refuse to spend any more money on this piece of crap. I will drive it to its grave or mine whichever comes first!

Good luck, with the way it's looking, it won't last much longer, a few months maybe. But I hope longer.

Originally Posted by momichica

Is there something that can be done to report such a lemon of a car???

Depends on how long you've owned it. But you bought it used, and probably signed something in the paperwork about as-is condition. So no, you're probably stuck with it.

Originally Posted by momichica

Oh yeah I have also had air conditioning problems, water pump replaced, timing belt replaced, broken window switch, mirror adjusting switch, center VW decals fell off rim, center console broke.

A/C problem is probably the fuse over the battery, same issue alot of folks have. The timing belt and water pump, that's standard maintenance, but I'm assuming because of your low miles, it actually failed vs. preventative maintenance. Too bad you weren't the original owner, those cars had a 100K factory warranty on the drive train. Could have driven it without the waterpump and earned a new motor from the factory.

Originally Posted by momichica

I leave it unlocked hoping someone will "borrow it" and I pay the deductible for another car (not another VW)

Yep. Well good luck. I hope someone takes that headache off your hands. And I hope you find a reputable mechanic in the future. Good luck.

[D2Beetle]

I always hate these threads where a previous abusive owner sells their NB to someone else and the NB becomes the patsy and receives more abuse.

When the wife's NB had electrical issues years ago, the immobilizer was always the culprit. I never really determined why or what it was doing, but the odd thing was is we stopped using the first key (the one that was well worn) and used the second key instead; have not had a problem since.

[vdub00]

Quote:
Originally Posted by momichica
My airbag came on, I have had no accidents, and still remains on.

And it will until the cause is found and repaired. Probably a wiring harness or a seat-sensor issue.

i've noticed that when i sit down i my car, sometimes the airbag light goes off. i assume that means it's the sensor.

if so, how can i make it stop annoying me?

any clue?

don't mean to hijack the thread, just curious since you brought it up.

thanks

[NeverAgain]

I bought my 2001 new beetle brand new in 2000 and it still had issues, but the good thing was that it was covered by the warranty.. thank God..Ran fine, until 100,000 miles.. My abs, epv and check engine light came on and the car runs like crap now.. It will start, but it misses and wants to die. I can't afford to take it to the dealershi"t" because I don't have the 600 to 1,000 to fix it.. Has anyone ever heard of changing the battery cable to fix this? The ground cable that is..I haven't seen any posts regarding this, but someone told me to check it out.. HELP!!!!!!!

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by NeverAgain

I bought my 2001 new beetle brand new in 2000 and it still had issues, but the good thing was that it was covered by the warranty.. thank God..Ran fine, until 100,000 miles.. My abs, epv and check engine light came on and the car runs like crap now.. It will start, but it misses and wants to die. I can't afford to take it to the dealershi"t" because I don't have the 600 to 1,000 to fix it.. Has anyone ever heard of changing the battery cable to fix this? The ground cable that is..I haven't seen any posts regarding this, but someone told me to check it out.. HELP!!!!!!!

The ground cable wouldn't be the problem, but the connection might be. Take the cover off the top of the battery fuse box, and if any connections are discolored or worse, take a picture and post it up. This is more of a problematic area of battery connections than the ground cable, although you do need to remove and clean all battery post connections.

That said...

Now, if you are really serious about starting to take care of your car, get the codes read, even with a generic reader at the Corner Auto Parts Store (it's free), come back and post them all up, there should be a bunch, get the numbers all right with no typos. Then we can start helping you determine a method of attack.

MORAV

[rob lo]

Ignition switch is one of your problems, taking the key out and the car not shutting off is the identifier for that.

That may actually cure a good portion of your problems.