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Question: 1998 Volkswagen Jetta mileage: 184,000. I just recently added 80w/90w gear fluid to my transmission, which was running low, and this is the type that the manual says to use. Everything seemed to run fine for a little bit, but then it started to act up. When I would shift into the next gear, it would go fine if I put steady pressure on the gas, but if I pushed the gas pedal down, the engine would rev up, and the speedometer would gradually rise. Would this be caused by adding too much transmission fluid?

Answer: We believe your clutch may be slipping because you over-filled the transmission which would then leak onto the clutch.

Question: 1997 Volkswagen Jetta: My brother is a mechanic and cannot seem to diagnose it. It runs relatively well, but within the first 5 minutes I have it running, it will really labor to shift into 1st all the way, almost as if I was driving a manual trans. when this car is an automatic. The car will rev up and then seem to jerk into gear, sometimes to the point that I lay a little wheel! Then it is fine. The previous owner is a friend of mine and she said that she had the problem once and they replaced the resistor wire at the dealership and she had not had the problem since. Well, my brother replaced the resistor wire and played w/ the control panel that is under the back seat and it was great for a day and then it went back to it's old ways again-He said it may need a new control panel all together. He is really at his wits end and has already changed the trans fluid and it is a little better, but still doing it. He said it does not need an overhaul... Any advice?

Answer: The problems you are experiencing are in the valve body. There is probably a solenoid or two hanging up. Your brother's opinion re the overhaul sounds correct to us.

Question: 1999 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 mileage: 21,000. I bought a brand new 1999 Jetta. Put custom alloy wheels on, and started noticing a vibration in the steering wheel. I thought maybe a poor balancing. After rebalance, same problem. Took the vehicle to Volkswagen stating my problem. They said they identified the problem with a bad tire on the front. I rotated the tires and did notice a slight difference in the vibration. Vibration characteristics: Sometimes more during acceleration 50 - 75 MPH, sometimes more when releasing accelerator 50-75 MPH. Sometimes no vibration however seldom. Replaced both front tires just to be sure...Same problem. Back to Volkswagen: This time a bad wheel defect. Replaced that wheel... Same problem. Replaced it again, possibly bad casting: same problem. This time changed all custom wheels to different type and make: ... same Problem. What else is there to do?

Answer: The only suggestion we can make is to try stock rims and tires. Hopefully, this will cure your problem. If so, the obvious culprit would be the after market wheels. The offset on the custom wheels may be different from stock wheels.

Question:  1995 VW Jetta GLS 2.0 mileage: 72,500.  The driver door freezes all the time. After opening, it will not re-latch.  I use a hair dryer to thaw once opened and it is Ok for a while, and then freezes again.  I was told to spray WD40 in the door latch and this would stop.  Did that and now it is frozen completely shut and will not open.  Have to admit it was about zero last night.  Any ideas how to overcome this or if it may be something beyond a moisture problem?  I would appreciate your advice, thanks.

Answer:   The freezing of the door latch mechanism is probably caused by water or moisture getting into the mechanism.  Check the rubber door seals to be sure that moisture is not somehow entering the interior of the door.  Also, check the drain holes in the bottom of the door to make sure they are open.

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Question:  1992 Volkswagen Jetta   mileage: 299,316.   Hello, Here's hoping you can answer this simple question.  This morning I couldn't start my car, it turned over and over to the point I killed the battery.  Choke was wide open, had someone boost me to no avail.  The motor turned over while the booster cables were on but as soon as they came off, it wouldn't turn over as well, figure the battery needs charged.  My question is:   I noticed the tank was just below the 1/4 mark.  Could my diesel be frozen?  I would be getting diesel on my way to work this morning but hey looks like it sits in the driveway instead?   Is there something I could put in the gas line to clear up the ice if this is the case?  I know it is not out of gas as it isn't near the red mark yet, but if so what is the procedure on that for a diesel?  Thanks sooooo much

Answer:   Check the glow plugs, they may not be working.  There are additives available if you have moisture in your fuel.   If the fuel lines are frozen, the additives will not help.

Question:  2000 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 mileage: 8,000.  I have a new Volkswagen Jetta and it uses a quart of oil every 800 or 900 miles. The dealer tells me this is normal and I know he is not telling me the truth.  They have already replaced the rack and pinion steering and I hate the thought that I now own a lemon.  Your advice on oil consumption would be greatly appreciated.  Right now, if I take a 3000-mile trip without checking the oil I have burned up my new car.

Answer:   You have a four-cylinder engine and it is not normal to use the amount of oil you describe.  We are sorry to hear you are getting the run-a-round with your car repairs.  Talk with friends and neighbors to locate a professional auto mechanic you can trust.  Have him/her inspect the car giving him/her the same information you gave us.  If possible, have him/her accompany you back to the dealer to discuss the repairs that are necessary.  Good Luck!

Question:  1995 Volkswagen Jetta V6 mileage: 100,000.  I have a question regarding my driver side power window system.  About two months ago, the window started acting up.  The symptoms are:  1.  Whenever I tried to close the window, it always stopped in the middle.  I have to try to press the power window button several times in order to fully close my window.  What caused this problem?  Is it the switch going bad, the control module or the motor?  2. There are also times when I could not even open or close the window.  I have to wait several minutes in order to do anything with that window.  3. Where should I start to diagnose the problem?

Answer:    From what you describe, it sounds like you have a control module going bad.

Question:  1999 VW Jetta  mileage: 95,000.  Stalls while driving and takes about 30 min to start.  I took it to one repair place and they couldn’t figure out the problem.   So, I took it to a VW dealer to look at it. I would like to know to expect.  Thank you

Answer:    Your stalling problem may be cause by the fuel pump.   Replacing it and the fuel filter should fix your problem.

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Question:  1985 VW Jetta GL 1.8  mileage: 290,000.  My Jetta needed a jump-start about a week ago, started then stalled about a block or so from where I jumped it.  I first thought it could be the fuel pump, but after first checking the fuse of coarse, I installed the pump and still nothing.  Not to mention that I also checked spark, fuel filter, and other simple things to always get the same results, nothing and back to square one.  Every time I think I solved the problem I would naturally try to start the car, and every time within 1,2 minutes the battery would die.  Could the problem be maybe a short in the starter?  Please let me know something soon (if possible) because with that car out of commission like this (2 weeks now) we have been sharing a single car with 4 adults that all have different jobs hours. We really need that car running, and hope ya'll can help us out.

Answer:   Charge the battery and load test; it may be “over the hill”.  Also, check the alternator output.

Question:  1996 VW Jetta 2.0L  mileage: 60. My temperature gauge does not move. Generally, when engine has warmed, the needle should move somewhere between markings of 70C and 110C (Canada). Needle does not move and implies that car has not warmed. Idle is rough. Are we looking at a sensor or simply a thermostat?

Answer:  The thermostat may be your problem. Remove the thermostat and check it when it is cold to see that it is closed. Put the thermostat in a pan of hot water on a stove. The thermostat should be open when the water is near boiling. If the thermostat is okay, the temperature sensor may be your problem.

Question:  1996 VW Jetta  mileage: 46,000. Our car doesn't start. We tried boosting the battery but it is fine. When we turn the key nothing happens, no engine trying to turn over or anything. We have been told that it is probably the neutral safety switch. Where is it located, how can I find out if it needs replacing and how do I replace it? HELP!!

Answer:  The neutral safety switch is in the console between the front seats. With a 12-volt test light, test for voltage on both terminals when the ignition key is in the start position. Voltage comes from the ignition switch through the neutral switch to the starter. Caution – the reverse light circuit is in the same switch. To replace, disconnect the battery remove mounting screws and wiring.

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Question:  1993 Volkswagen  mileage: 95,000. Lately my car is wasting too much gas and I notice black smoke is coming out.

Answer:  Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter. Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test. Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages. If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question:  1996 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4 cyl, mileage: 46,000. Where is the neutral switch located?

Answer:  The neutral safety switch is located in the housing under the shift lever.

Question:  1996 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0, How do I get my check engine light to go off? It comes on about every three months then goes off. It happened three times in three years.

Answer:  The "check engine" light will "light" when there is a malfunction in the engine management system. The fault code is then stored in the computer. The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component. We recommend buying your own scanner and doing it yourself. With a pocket scanner you can check for fault codes to find out why the light came on in the first place. You can clear your cars trouble codes after you make the needed repairs.

Question: I have a 1990 Volkswagen Jetta GL with 167,000 miles. I was just informed that I need a new fuel pump. Could you give me an estimate of the cost to replace the fuel pump? Thank you.

Answer:  Your car has two fuel pumps. The pre-pump is located in the fuel tank. That pump costs approximately $150.00 and labor about $75.00. The main fuel pump costs approximately $260.00, labor about $50.00. If the fuel filter has not been changed recently, it should be replaced at the same time.

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