Re: Windows & Intro.

[Chuck Van Pelt <cvanpelt@aracnet.com>]

I recently purchased a '95 GLX as well...74000 miles when I bought it. I have had an
interesting time getting her back into what I consider to be good condition. I
thought I'd take a shot at your questions and pass along a few tidbits that I picked
up along the way.

>
> First off there was no owners manual. I need that owners manual I kept telling
> them. Then we found out the a/c swith only works on high, then the rear window
> would not roll up, and how do you open the fuel door? Where is my owners manual!?
> It has been in the shop 3 times since we bought it for various BS items.
>

AC switch sounds like an electrical problem...check the fuses to be sure. Could be a
bad fan switch.

Fuel door only opens when all doors have been unlocked. When you open the driver's
door, turn the key to the left twice to unlock all doors and subsequently the fuel
door. You then press one side of the fuel door (can't remember which side) to pop it
open.

A lot of other folks on the list have had the same window problem...I would try the
cheapest stuff first: Disconnect the battery and reconnect 10 minutes later. This may
reset the system and allow the window to work. If you are mechanically inclined at
all, pull off the door panel and check the connector to the window motor. When I got
my Jetta, I was lucky enough to get a packet of service records. In the packet was,
you guessed it, an invoice for a new window motor in the front passenger door. Glad I
didn't have to pay for it. ;-)

>
> Well it's still in the shop, at Bob Lewis VW, becuase the guys at Honda could
> not figure out the window problem. So while it's there and it's gonna be there
> for about another 4 days, I'm going to ask them about the timing belt. I'm sure
> it needs to be changed soon...but when? Where's my manual!?

I had this same question when I bought my Jetta. I even used it as a bargining point
when I bought the car. I told the dealer that there was no record of the car having
it's 60,000 mile service and no record of a new timing belt. He agreed and wanted me
to have them (a CHEVY dealer) do the belt). I ended up talking the price down a bit
more and bought the car, telling the dealer that I would find my own VW mechanic.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that the VR6 has a timing chain, not a belt.
Apparently you don't ever have to service the chain. I woudl recommend, however,
inspecting the serpentine belt and replacing if it shows cracking. No sense in
getting stuck out there. ;-)

Here are a few things that I checked/did, and problems I found after I took
ownership:

1. Checked the air filter. I found it to be mostly clean, but below the air filter is
a hemispherical mesh screen filter (snow filter) that was almost completely blocked.
After cleaning it out, I had much better acceleration. I eventually replaced the oem
filter with a K&N filter and removed the snow filter.

2. Replaced the spark plugs. The VR6 used special plugs with 2 electrodes. I bought
OEM plugs that were $8 apiece. I heard a number of people have had good luck with the
Bosch 4-electrode platinum plugs.

3. Drivers side mirror was hanging loose and made a lot of noise when shutting the
door. I removed the plastic panel from the other side of where the mirror is mounted
and tightened up the screws holding the mirror to the door. Mirror is now perfect!

4. Checked all 4 brakes. Rears were recently replaced. Fronts are about 2/3 worn.
I'll have to replace them soon. Priced pads out at about $60 for the front set.

5. Sunroof didn't open properly when I bought the car. Turns out that one of the
locking pawls (name?) wasn't engaging right because a small rubber washer had worn
out. I could have probably fixed it by wrapping a small piece of electrical tape
around the pawl, but I didn't get the chance because my wife, who wasn'r aware of the
problem, tried to open the sunroof and broke one of the metal sliders.

Used sunroof assembly: $325

6. The leather in my Jetta was very dry. It hadn't begun cracking yet, but I
slathered on a good coat of leather conditioner. I recommend regular coats if you
will be parking in the sun a lot.

7. The chrome had worn off of my round VW badges. I ended up popping them off and
painting silver. Looks good, but you can also buy new badges if you are a detail
freak. I actually plan to purchase a grill from a 96-98 Jetta to replace mine. The
96-98 grill is sleaker than the 95 down grill.

In addition to the above, I also need to get new tires.

I hope this helps!

Chuck