| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| Jetta | 1/24/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: Hey Rick, I appreciate your willingness to help with cars you may not be familiar with. I have a '98 ...
A: Barn, The O2 sensor is a critical part of all modern fuel injected engines. It looks like a spark ...
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| what does the malfunction indicator light mean on my 2002 VW Beetle? | 1/22/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: This is the second time my malfunction indicator light came on. The first time I called the dealer ...
A: Kendra, The Malfunction indicator is a generic indication of literally hundreds of possible ...
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| 2002 VW Beetle Hot start problem | 1/21/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: My 2002 Beetle has an intermittent problem. About once per week it won't start when warm, like when ...
A: Scott, Sorry for the delay, I was out sick. Sounds exactly like the cooling temp or CHT sensor. ...
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| Doors | 1/21/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: Why won't unlocked doors open on !998 Jetta in Cold weather? ANSWER: Laura, Either there may be ...
A: Laura, The only common cause I believe is that the locking mechanisms need lubrication (not the ...
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| ENGINE RUNNING HOT | 1/18/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: 2003 VW NEW BEATLE WITH 60,000 MILES. I HAVE REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND FLUSHED COOLING SYSTEM. ENGINE ...
A: Samuel, You should easily see the cooling fan come on at idle once the engine gets hot. However, ...
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| quarter window problem on VM beetle conv | 1/17/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: I have a VW Beetle Convertible 2003. The L/H rear quarter glass will not come up. All other windows ...
A: Andrew, I don't have experience with this particular repair, however if it were my car you can bet ...
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| clutch | 1/16/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: A rear brake cylinder was replaced by me and the clutch started acting up. I know they share a ...
A: Allan, Typically when a clutch is "slipping" this means the clutch plate is worn and needs ...
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| doors wont close on golf | 1/15/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: I've got a MK4 golf gti 1.8 1999 5 door and the driver side and the right side back door wont close, ...
A: Joe, It is possible the door hinges or the door mounting location is bent, which can happen if the ...
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| 2005 Jetta RPM question | 1/15/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: Our 2005 Jetta's RPMs go over 3000 and stay there at higher speeds. Mechanic found a leak, replaced ...
A: Susan, Assuming it's an automatic, 3000 RPM seems like the normal range. But this also depends on ...
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| 1971 Sunroof | 1/13/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: Do you know of an online explanation of how to take the roonroof apart properly ? Or could explain ...
A: Dennis, Here's how: - Open the roof about halfway. - Remove the inside trim piece by prying away ...
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| '77 volkswagon bus wont start. | 1/13/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: okay, so i dont really know muck about cars. in fact this is my first car. i accedentaly left the ...
A: Mason, I do not think charging the battery has caused this problem. My guess is there was likely ...
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| 1965 VW convertible | 1/11/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: Rick, I inherited my father-in-law's 1965 vw convertible. Mechanically, OK. I need to install a ...
A: Jim, You are on the right track, but you may need to use an air hammer to get it to release ...
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| 2002 Jetta 1.8T 5/spd man / MIL Light | 1/10/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: Ever since I got this car in 2006, the MIL light comes one from time to time. (Engine with a ...
A: John, One thing I can say is that a MIL light should get you a code in the computer. Why the ...
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| clutch | 1/10/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: A rear brake cylinder was replaced by me and the clutch started acting up. I know they share a ...
A: Allan, Yes, very likely there is air in the lines. There are several methods to remove it: 1) You ...
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| 1975 bus | 1/9/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: rick, all of your advice has been great and very helpful. we finally got the bus running well, but ...
A: John, The first thing I would check is the double relay, which controls the operation of the fuel ...
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| undershield for 2005 vw passat | 1/9/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: Do I need my undershield for my 2005 vw passat. Both sides have come down and its $200 for the ...
A: Aj, It's not absolutely vital, but it helps in extreme conditions for cooling and keeping debris ...
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| VW TDI fixed injection pump leak but now won't start | 1/7/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: My 1998 VW Jetta TDI had a problem overheating, fixed blown coolant out lines; then noticed diesel ...
A: Leah, Good job getting it going. As far as doing the compression tests, not required if it is ...
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| no oil press in 2.0 l aircooled vw | 1/5/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: Rick, hope you had good vacation, finally you are back I tryed to ask this question to other ...
A: Hans, I am out of answers. But I recommend a few other forums: Probably the best VW forum on the ...
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| 1975 vw bus | 1/5/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: rick, all of your info has helped, but now the engine starts fine and idles fine,timing and dwell ...
A: John, If you mean it will not start when COLD, then it sounds like you are on the right track. ...
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| 1993 vw passat brake problems | 1/4/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: do you know what could possibly be wrong with my brakes? I have an abs. I have front brakes but no ...
A: Rebekah, The front brakes are supposed to provide about %70 of braking power. So even with NO ...
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| 98 passat engine light-2.8l V6 VW passat | 1/3/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: My engine light is on I went to go get a diagnostic test don on it, but it said that the OBD II has ...
A: Fred, Unless you have a bad ECU (unlikely) I would get it scanned again by a different shop. Ask ...
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| Cabriolet keeps stopping | 1/3/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: we have a 1989 Cabriolet that will go along for awhile and then just quit, sometimes it will start ...
A: Brad, If related to the fuel tank change out, it may be a fuel starvation problem. Change the ...
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| Alarm system issue | 1/2/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: I recently had a new battery put in at Walmart. Ever since then, my car alarm goes off at random ...
A: Julia, It seems the ECU (computer) needs to be reset. Whenever losing power to the ECU, this can ...
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| 1975 vw bus | 1/2/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: rick, all of your info has helped, but now the engine starts fine and idles fine,timing and dwell ...
A: John, Good work getting it running. Now when you say it will not start, I assume it turns over. ...
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| vw van | 1/2/2009 | Rick O. |
Q: i just raplaced the alternator could that have messed something up or to do u think its a fuel ...
A: Spence, It is possible you have low fuel pressure, but the list of other possibilities are long. ...
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| VW Passat AC and Heat | 12/31/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: If the AC compressor needs replacing will the heat not work as well? If not where else should I ...
A: Paul, The A/C compressor is not directly related to the heater system. However an electrical ...
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| mk3 golf door wiring | 12/31/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: not sure if you will be able to help with this but I have a mk3 golf 1.4 cl, i am currently ...
A: David, If there were any pre-existing connections, they may be to the rear deck instead of the ...
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| no oil press in 2.0 l aircooled vw | 12/31/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: Rick, hope you had good vacation, finally you are back I tryed to ask this question to other ...
A: Hans, Sorry for the delay, we are having snow storms and very cold temperatures in Montana. ...
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| 1975 bus type2 1800cc fuel injection | 12/30/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: my bus starts fine but will not stay running. if the gas pressure is only 25-30psi is that ...
A: John, First you need to find TDC (Top Dead Center). Of course this is for cylinder 1. One way is ...
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| 1975 bus type2 1800cc fuel injection | 12/30/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: my bus starts fine but will not stay running. if the gas pressure is only 25-30psi is that ...
A: John, I double checked my bus manual, the pressure should be 35PSI, and a bit higher under load ...
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| no oil press in 2.0 l aircooled vw | 12/29/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: Rick, hope you had good vacation, finally you are back I tryed to ask this question to other ...
A: Happy New Year! Hope your holidays were nice. The ED is definitely a fuel injected case. Of course ...
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| 98 jetta windshield wiper switch | 12/28/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: Two questions about manual 98 jetta. First, could you lay out the steps necessary to change a ...
A: Brian, You have to: 1) Remove the airbag (if installed) 2) Remove the steering wheel. 3) Remove ...
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| 79 Super Beetle ECU | 12/28/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: If I want to change out my 85.8mm cylinders to 90mm will I need to get a performance ECU. Does any ...
A: John, Top End Performance [www.racetep.com/acvwinj.html] provides a complete solution with tuning ...
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| Interior Door Panel | 12/5/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: The 2002 Beetle's interior door panels are one continuous formed plastic. Pulling the door shut too ...
A: I am sure. However, you want to look for used: thesamba.com vwvortex.com ebay.com For example, ...
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| VW 1992 gli | 12/4/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: I have im pretty sure a 91 or a 92 gli. i just got it and when i did the whole interior was ripped ...
A: Matt, The wires under around the seat may be for the seat belt switch. The computer should be a ...
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| 2000 Jetta - Battery not receiving Charge | 12/3/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: Battery is not receiving a charge. I can run car off the battery, I know this is not good. I have ...
A: Dianna, I believe there is something drawing excessive current after the ignition is turned off. ...
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| 1979 Beetle EGR light on | 12/1/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: I am currently working on a 1979 Volks. Beetle and the EGR light is on. I cannot find any ...
A: Jay, Depends if you have a mechanical or electro/vacuum EGR. With the mechanical, the linkage ...
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| VW Question | 12/1/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: How do I replace the backup light bulbs on my 2003 New Beetle?
A: Phillip, Via the trunk. Inside there is a plastic cover on each side; remove it (or both). ...
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| 78 bus fuel injection | 11/29/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: So heres the deal i have recently purchased this bus and it will not start. When i checked the wires ...
A: *** Correction *** Jerid, Keep in mind the injectors will only squirt while cranking the engine. ...
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| 78 bus fuel injection | 11/29/2008 | Rick O. |
Q: So heres the deal i have recently purchased this bus and it will not start. When i checked the wires ...
A: Jerid, I'm not sure if you are saying the fuel pump is working or not. Regardless, check out this ...
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