Engine misfire, studder at idle/low gear, AC power outlets gone, door chime faulty...

[lokyee]

Hi everyone,

I discovered this wonderful site by chance while frustrated with the 7 trips to my mechanic in the last 8 weeks... I've read through many posts but can't seem to find concrete answers so hopefully someone can help me?

My 2000 2.0 GLS manual NB (has 138K on it) has been pretty much good to me for the 2-months-short-of-10-years that I've owned it (my first baby!!) and 8 weeks ago, when I went on the highway at 120km/hr, it started studdering (not sure if that's a good term to use) and the engine light came on. Taking it to my mechanic, they said it was a cylinder misfire, caused by exposed wires. They "wrapped it up" and sent me on my way. A week later, problem came back and they "wrapped it up some more" to see if it would be better.

Another week later, same problem came back, but now studdering happens at idle and in 1st/2nd with engine lights on again so mechanic replaced the wires. Exactly another week later, problem comes back...funny thing is I would be able to drive it for a few blocks, even though it feels like it's struggling from stalling (making noise and shaking and everything, especially at idle), then it would drive like normal again until the next day when the problem will come back again. Am I even making sense?

My mechanic told me the engine codes showed 3 of the 4 cylinders have misfired on the different occasions. Ended up changing MAF sensor, but problem came back. On two or three occasions, I've actually stalled while the car was at idle.

This morning, while driving out of my underground parking garage, the studdering happened again, engine light flashed and then stayed on. Funny thing is after dinner tonight, the engine light turned itself off!

My mechanic is stumped...spark plugs were changed less than a year ago, wires changed, MAF sensor changed...so would anyone happen to know what else needs to be changed (besides my car)?

If this wasn't enough, all 3 of my AC power outlets don't work anymore (all of a sudden) and my door chime seem to not want to work properly. When the door is open, it actually thinks it's closed so the doors will auto-lock and the chime doesn't work. However, I know the chime is not faulty as it does go off when the door is closed but not latched properly.

Please help! I'm sure you can feel my frustration and I don't think my mechanic wants to see me every week...

[Smileybug]

Not sure about your big problem but the door problem is a common one. The microswitch is dead in your door. There are some easy and cheap fixes for that. Hopefully somene will chime in on the other problems.

I also say, get the actual codes if you can and post them up. That can help figure out whats wrong.

[Turbomania]

Are you tired of not having this problem properly diagnosed yet??? I think it's time for a visit to your local VW service center to have your car properly scanned by a VW professional. This is not a simple door sensor problem but one that includes several other modules that may have faults in them. It could be a simple electrical fault or a problem with several other sub systems. The ability for our cars to be self-diagnosing through the use of a VW VAG-COM scanner is a big reason why I originally bought this car. It also can compensate for a while when small ignition and sensor problems start to go bad. Your car has not been completely scanned until you have a qualified VW mechanic do it for you. The price of the scan should be deducted from the total bill if a problem if actually found. If not find another dealer that will. JK

[lokyee]

I've gone through a fair share of getting screwed over by dealers so I don't really want to go there unless I absolutely have to...

I've noticed that this "rough idle" issue is a common one, but the thing that is mind boggling is no one really has a concrete solution?? It doesn't help when the problem "goes away" before I get to my mechanic...