Automobile / Volkswagen / Passat

Volkswagen Passat Repair Questions and Answers

Answer: You car is equipped with two fuel pumps. The fuel pump in the tank is probably not working and needs to be replaced. This sort of car repair is easy to do and will save you hundreds of dollars if you do it yourself.

Question: 1992 VW Passat 2.3 mileage: 157,000. My wife set the alarm when she went to my son's ball game. When she went to start the car, upon opening the door, the alarm went off. She reset the alarm with the key, but noticed that the only door the key would unlock was the driver's door. Usually using the key locks-unlocks all the doors. The alarm will not reset, and hence the car is still parked at the ball field! Any help?

Answer: The switch in the driver's door lock mechanism is malfunctioning and causing your problem.

Question: 2000 VW Passat 1.8L  mileage: 96,000. I've seen lots of questions on your site regarding whether you can use 87 octane fuel in a car that recommends 91 octane premium. You reply to most of them that 87 is okay. But on a couple, you say to stick to 91. What's the differing factor in these? My engine is a turbo-charged 4-cylinder. Is it best to stick with premium fuel on any turbo, or is there something else to take into consideration? Todd.

Answer: Some cars have knock sensors that adjust timing for different grades of fuel and some do not. On cars equipped with a knock sensor and where the manufacturer recommends 91 octane, a lower octane fuel can be tried because the knock sensor will adjust the timing for the lower grade. However, performance and mileage will suffer. Now to your specific car, it most certainly will suffer if you use 87-octane fuel.

Question:  1996 VW Passat  mileage: 116,000.  There is a sound like driving over a grooved surface, but no vibration. The sound varies with car speed, and is not affected by engaging or disengaging the clutch (gear doesn't matter either).  The sound gets very loud at highway speeds.  I raised the car and spun each wheel.  The right front wheel makes a rumbling sound when I spin it (the left front and the rears are silent).   I think that I have a wheel bearing problem, but am not sure if I can change it myself or if I will need to pull the hub and have a machine shop press out the old one and press in the new one.  Also, if I have to pull the hub, will I need to have it re-aligned?  Any advice appreciated!

Answer:  If you do not have a press yourself, you will have to have a machine shop press out the old bearings.  You should not have to have a realignment done if you pull the hubs.

Question:  1996 VW Passat VR6 mileage: 120,000.  Where is the knock sensor, and how do I replace it.

Answer:    Your engine has two knock sensors, they are located on the front of the engine about center.  Replace them by unplugging the wire connector and removing securing bolt.

Question:  1990 VW Passat wagon  mileage: 139,000.  Since I bought 3 yrs ago runs best with least amount of gas in the tank tune ups, wire sets, you name it  - can tell it runs smoother by the way it shifts so smoothly, the stable tach, etc.  When I fill it up it doesn't immediately return to rougher running but overnight or so and it does. Pressure lines to carbon canister or is a gas cap or?   Really runs great with 4 to 6 gallons or less left in the tank.  Have replaced fuel filter too.  The mystery here is what does the quantity of fuel have to do with the engine performance.

 Answer:   You are on the right track; the problem is probably related to the carbon canister.  Raw fuel instead of vapor may be in that system.  Start with gas cap to be sure it is the right one.  Check hoses to and from carbon canister that they are connected properly also check vacuum valves.

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