Car problems

[Michael]

Does anyone have any electrical expertise with cars? I own a 2006 Jetta t.d.i. Last week the power window on the driver side stopped working, with the window stuck down. A few days later the lights that illuminate the defrost and heater went out, then the wipers stopped working, the dash lights went out and started flashing and the signal lights on the sides didn't work. I have it in at Volkwagon service dept. The main problem was a faulty wire in the door hinge which was replaced, and they think it sent a voltage spike to one of the computer moduals. Problem is they don't know which one. All the moduals send their signals down just a few wires and all communicate with each other. The main one was replaced but the problem is still there. They have already spent over 8 hours trying to figure it out so it's getting pretty expensive. Anyone have any ideas?

[DrWhat]

Water leaking into the fuse box?

[daxwc]

Anyone have any ideas?

Yep, buy a Chev.

[bluesgtr44]

Does anyone have any electrical expertise with cars? I own a 2006 Jetta t.d.i. Last week the power window on the driver side stopped working, with the window stuck down. A few days later the lights that illuminate the defrost and heater went out, then the wipers stopped working, the dash lights went out and started flashing and the signal lights on the sides didn't work. I have it in at Volkwagon service dept. The main problem was a faulty wire in the door hinge which was replaced, and they think it sent a voltage spike to one of the computer moduals. Problem is they don't know which one. All the moduals send their signals down just a few wires and all communicate with each other. The main one was replaced but the problem is still there. They have already spent over 8 hours trying to figure it out so it's getting pretty expensive. Anyone have any ideas?

Nope! That's pretty much the situation, Michael. They don't design things for technical convenience and repair. They design them to fit within a certain confined space and therefore, the problem of isolating is not as easily accessed thus the long, time consuming process.


Steve

[jim_mich]

Try searching the internet for the same problem. I had a Chevy Lumina with brake lights that failed to work. To make a long story short I found the solution on the internet. That model car had a history of the turn signal switch failing due to aging caused by heat inside the car.

[nicbordeaux]

Michael, the VW is probably one of the best built cars out there, with the Hondas and Toyotas. However, the electrical "fly by wire" junk is cheapo, badly thought out...long story, but most serious car makers are moving back towards simplicity. The garages don't have the computers to test the circuits properly, it usually ends up in a dashboard change, or a complete change of boards and boxes.

The solution ? If they fix it, sell it immediately and buy a new car with a 2 year warantee, which you sell on after 18 months. In the meantime, yes, search the web, write VW customer relations dept and threaten to kick up a monster stink, it sometimes works. If needed, I can lend you a bicycle :)

There is a place, Bilbao, san Sebastien or Santander, can't remeber with a big Guardia Civil radio transmissions center. A lot of cars refuse to restart there. Their is a guy with a hauling truck who makes a fortune out of towing the cars 15 kms away, then turning the key and starting the car.

As to parts changed which haven't fixed the problem, I don't know where you live, but in most civilized places there is a law that says a garage has knowledge and a consumer not; that any part changed which isn't faulty can't be invoiced.

Definitely, kick up a major stink.

[docfeelsgood]

i think it goes with the jetta breed . worked on one , never could keep up with the electrics going bad .

[Michael]

Thanks everyone. Thought I'd make Bessler Wheel my first place of inquiry since there is such an eclectic group of people here. Yeah I too noticed the bad electrical systems in my Jetta, even though other things like the suspension is top notch. After buying it the cd player would start to sound static-ee if it was played too long or the car ran too long ( hours ) because of over heating. And the radio antenna works though the window ( old 70's technology ) instead of having its own antenna.

[docfeelsgood]

Michael ;

from my experience with vw , i had 3 rabbits diesels , they were great , after about 250,000 miles they would blow a head gasket . the jetta was just unreliable junk . as you say , electrics were junk .

today i run a 71 super beetle , 1600 dual port engine . i find that to be a great car after fixing other peoples butchery . all i have to do is check the oil and drive ! i did put a complete MSD ignition system on it . distributor and all . then the blower belts were a problem on those air cooleds , so by putting a BMD flat serpentine belt system on it i eliminated those problems . no computers and junk to screw up . now if you can show me another vehicle thats 40 or 50 years old and still get ANY part on the entire vehicle brand new i'd be interested to hear about it . to me they are a real bargain compared to anything being built today . also i perfer single carburetted so i would stay pre 74 in my book , and no pollution insp. . ta hell with fuel injection . i think ya would look great in yer spiffy top hat toolin round town in one of them ol rags !! just my opinion . but i stick with what is known to work and work well . hit the switch and its runnin , my kinda car !!

even got vent windows , remember those ?? lol .
Ralph ; a piece of black tape will solve your problem .

[Michael]

Like Timex? Yeah somethings are just built right.

[rlortie]

Michael,

I agree with Doc, replace your window switches with DPDT's and throw away the computer chip.

Replace the light switch with a DPDT Push-pull w, rheostat for head, park and dash light dimming and throw away the computer chip.

Mount a foot operated DPST on the floor for a dimmer switch and throw away the computer chip.

Use a single pole variable rheostat mounted on the dash for winshield wipers and throw away the computer chip.

And when you learn how to get rid of a damn bright yellow 'Service Engine" light that stares you in the face every 3,000 miles after service, let me know. The Toyota dealer refuses to tell me how to reset the darn thing and I do not change my oil every 3,000 miles.

Ralph

[DrWhat]

My car radio makes a loud beep beep beep beep each time I switch off the ignition! The manual and the store say it cannot be turned off (it is a reminder to remove the front fascia so people are less likely to steal the radio!)

One day I'm gonna pull the radio out, get a sledge hammer, and smash it to bits!

[getterdone]

Ralph

I knew a guy who would take the longest skinny drillbit he had , then he'd drill right through those little lights as they would appear. Check engine , check brakes etc...

Micheal

In the small town that I come from there's a meccanic that only doe's auto electics. The dealerships and other meccanics bring cars to him when there stumped and can't find the problem. He's only got one bay and it's hidden behind a muffler shop.
It seams a bit late for you now , but if you should run in to this kind of problem again I think you should consider bringing your vehicle to someone that specializes in auto electronics

[FunWithGravity]

Sorry i was not around this weekend,

It might be your ignition switch, if your experiencing those wiper/dash light issues it is most likely the problem, IMHO. I have had several NEW jettas and have not had that problem, although the win dows have gone bad and the coild have been shot(not TDI) almost got a 2009 TDI but the wife wanted red and i did't want to pay 1500 extra for the sunroof or 2200 for the NAVI so i cheaped out.


Anway, almost everything goes through you ignition switch and when i see AUX issues combined i ussually go to the fuse box first and then right to the ignition switch. Most likely when your power windows died it shorted out through you AUX terminals on the switch and caused problems with the dash lights and wipers etc.

If the car was not running i would say computer spike, but no computer runs your defrost light, LOL. I goes to show that with all this technology modern day mechanics have little or no ability to self diagnose cars. OBD1-2-3 have just made mechanics more inept.

Hey Mike, if its the ign switch send me a Greenie. :) or atleast talk to the crazy guy.


Dave

PS, not just an armchair mechanic, you can check the album for my German car expertise. Owned close to 50 porsche and VW over my 37 years. The yellow one i built from scratch. :) its faaaast


Once they realize the error of their ways i would argue for a refund on the Unneeded computer and the wasted labor.

[docfeelsgood]

50 ,,,,,,, wow ,,, must live on federal hill !!!