Automobile / Volkswagen / Cabriolet

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Answer: Your car should be equipped with a second fuel pump that is located inside the fuel tank. This pump pushes the fuel to the main fuel pump. If the pump in the tank fails, it will cause the problem you described.

Question: 2000 Volkswagen Cabriolet mileage 82,000.  I started the engine and noticed that the brake light and ABS light remained on and illuminated. I continued to drive approximately one mile when I also noticed that the air conditioner would not work. There was no power with the A/C of any kind. The blowers didn't work and it was if the car had no power for the switches to work. I immediately pulled the car over to the side of the road. As soon as the car was stopped and in park the car completely shut down and stalled. I immediately started the car again and the lights, this time, did not come on and the air conditioner worked. I made a note to myself to bring it to the dealership for a valuation and possible repairs. Over the period of 5 days between the time it first happened and the day I was able to make an appointment the same problem occurred approximately 6-8 more times. I have noted that when this happens it can be a various times during the day both when the car engine is cold and hot. Two days ago, I had the vehicle in for repairs at the dealership. I was informed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle nor nothing they could find wrong with it. I was advised to bring the vehicle back if I notice the problem again. Well, I informed the service manager that was hard to do as when the problem occurs the engine stalls. After picking up my car two days ago, the problem did occur again. This time, upon starting the engine I noticed the lights on yet again with now power for the A/C. As I was about to take it back to the dealership, I put the car in reverse and attempted to drive when the car stalled. I started the car again, the lights went off, and the car appeared fine. According to the Volkswagen dealership, service department there is nothing wrong with my 2000 Volkswagen Cabriole or nothing they can locate and repair. I'm not sure whether or not you have any information on Volkswagen but if you do, I would greatly appreciate any information you can provide.

Answer: Intermittent Electrical problems are nightmares to trouble shoot. Your problem could be cause by a failing main power relay, poor ground connections, loose power wire connections, or a faulty battery or alternator. Also, check the wiring looms for damage.

Question:  1990 Volkswagen Cabriolet  mileage: 74,000.  Rough idle and stumble on acceleration.  Engine idles best when warming (not perfect), but becomes worse a full warm up.  At normal operating temperature, there is an associated popping perhaps pinging sound with the poor idle; also, one tends to think engine could be missing at idle.  Engine appears to run fine at or above idle (above approx. 1200 to 1500 RPM).  Once going, the car runs nicely at highway speeds.  Things that have been replaced trying to correct the problem are: Distributor (intermittent miss was detected from old dist. on engine analyzer), cap, rotor, wires, plugs, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, oxygen sensor, water coolant temperature sensor, and air filter.  Timing, and idle adjustments (idle bypass adjustments) have been made a number of times.  I would like to add that I think I hear an exhaust leak (ex. manifold).  The noise is most audible when starting the engine when it is cold.  Also, I would like to add that I have run injector cleaner in three tanks of gas.   Even sprayed considerable cleaner in the throttle body to cleanse the intake area (at times I thought this showed idle improvement).   Any ideas would be appreciated.  At this point, I am wondering if a slight exhaust manifold leak is causing oxygen sensor to send error signal to computer.  I have gone full circle a couple times so I would appreciate your thoughts.

Answer:   Check the compression and check for vacuum leaks.  Also, check for a flat cam.  The exhaust leak you have when your car is cold is probably caused by a cracked exhaust manifold.  We do not think this would cause the oxygen sensor error signal.

MORE: Volkswagen Cabriolet Repair Questions

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