POS Passat B5 1.8T

Passat Problems

1/15/01: CEL.
Replaced secondary air system combi valve

2/14/01: Comfort system failure (power windows, mirrors, doors, fuel door)
Repaired water-corroded wiring & connectors

4/23/01: Comfort system failure (interior lights)
Reparied corroded & broken wires

8/10/01: Airbag light
Replaced spiral spring assembly ring

1/3/02: Airbag light
Replace ring and 2 harnesses

2/15/02: Airbag light
Rplace ring & harness

2/15/02: CEL
Replace engine coolant temp switch
Replace MAF

2/18/02: Airbag light
Replace driver?s air bag unit

2/19/02: Airbag light on again.

Car is 2 years old, with 37K miles.
So far, VW has picked up all repair costs (parts & labor), except that I paid $152 on 2/15/02 for labor to replace the coolant temp. switch & the MAF.

I am not amused.

[ February 19, 2002, 11:11: Message edited by: rgoetz ]

THese models seem to have some problems, sorry for your trouble Rob. The Turbo and wastegate were/are prone to failure as well on the 98/99's .

Thanks, Rene. The frustrating thing is that these cars are so much fun to drive (especially with your software).

I haven't disclosed to the dealer that I'm chipped, but I think they know--and I'm not going to conceal my mods or deny if I'm asked.

BTW, I didn't list having to replace the diverter valve in Feb. 2001, immediatly after chipping this car, because that was my responsibility, not VW's.

[ February 19, 2002, 11:53: Message edited by: rgoetz ]

It's back in the dealer this morning.

The service manager told me that VW will be taking a look at the car today. At this point, he thinks it's either the airbag computer or the car's wiring harness. I suspect that maybe the wiring is corroded by water, as was the wiring for the "comfort system" last winter.

I told the service manager about my mods. I don't want to put myself in the position of committing fraud by non-disclosure. He agreed that the chip would have nothing to do with this.

I'm crossing my fingures that this time this will be fixed for good.

I am suspicious of airbag warning lights. My Golf's came on, and after replacement of the spring, it came on again. The dealer held the car to replace the seat wiring harness. The service mgr said they had four or five others in the shop for the same repair. Does this apply to your model Passat's problem? The dealer ought to check.

Rob, sorry to hear of all your aggrivation. I remember you saying some very nice things about that car in the past.

Have you found a competent VW dealer in Joy-zee?

I do love driving the Passat (it's my second favorite car), but these problems are annoying.

Whenever I get in a rental car (which has been too frequent lately), I appreciate our VWs anew.

The dealer is like most every other VW dealer.

I have found an indepenent shop that specializes in VWs near where I work, where I've had some work done on my wife's Passat (oil change) and my Golf (brake work). I'm very happy with that shop.

Well, I just spoke with the service manager and he said it's the upper pigtail connector (which was replaced recently). He said that they were able to duplicate the fault this time, and that they had not been able to do that previously. He also said he say no evidence of problems with the wiring or any corrosion.

Well, we'll see.

My '98 1.8T was very reliable, never a single problem with that car in the (brief) 18 months and 23K that I had it. Interesting Valois about the wastegate - around the time I sold it there was a developing rattle when I would back off the throttle, which I guessed was a failing wastegate as well. I just played dumb, dealer took it back on trade not knowing the body shop couldn't get the door handles on the pass. side to work after the wreck, and that the turbo was possibly failing. Score one for me

that rattle has been mentioned before as the slow demise of the wastegate.

Airbag light went back on yesterday (what a surprise).

The car went back to the shop this morning. The service manager is out today, and it's like talking to a wall trying to speak with the assistant service manager.

I called VW Customer Care this morning (I've been speaking with them since last week), and when they asked what I want, I told them I want VW to replace this unsafe car with a new one.

[ February 25, 2002, 07:46: Message edited by: rgoetz ]

I just spoke with the Assistant Service Manager, and she asked if it would be OK with me for the Service Manager (who showed up after all) to drive it home tonight (40 minute drive) so he would check it out with a VAG tool while it's being driven.

I said sure--and I told her that he should put in 94 octane gas only.

I hope he enjoys the ride.

The service manager did enjoy driving the car 100 miles--he said it "sure gets up & goes". Thank you, Rene & Alex.

He was hoping the airbag light would come on while he was driving (the dealer had turned the light off without repairing anything), as he a VAG-COM tool hooked up. It didn't.

He's waiting to get instructions from VW as what to do next.

He also told me that every time the airbag light has come on, it's been the same code--too much resistance in driver's airbag spiral ring unit.

I just spoke with the dealer's Assistant Service Manager, who cheefully informed me that they just replaced the upper pigtail connector and everything is just fine. When I pointed out that this is the third time they've replaced this part and why should it be any different this time, she replied that that a "specialist" had looked at the problem and that this what "the factory" told them to do.

I said I certainly hope it's fixed for good this time, but that I doubted it was.

Any wages on how long before the light comes on again? 1 day? 2 days? 5 days?

Gee, it took a whole week and a half this time.

[ March 06, 2002, 13:10: Message edited by: rgoetz ]

The dealer was antagonisic with me this morning when I brought it in (as if I'm the one responsible for this). Tney basically admitted that they don't have any idea what the problem is & they recommended that I take it to another VW dealer for a "fresh look". I told them I want them to fix it--I don't want a run-a-round. They're looking at it now.

And the dealer will no longer pay for a rental car while they're working on the airbag.

This really sucks.

Just spoke with the dealer. They are going to replace the "entire airbag system". The VW regional service rep. will be present while they do the work.

I think everyone is reaching the point of exhaustion on this.

Here's the running tally to date:

1/15/01: CEL.
Replaced secondary air system combi valve

2/14/01: Comfort system failure (power windows, mirrors, doors, fuel door)
Repaired water-corroded wiring & connectors

4/23/01: Comfort system failure (interior lights)
Reparied corroded & broken wires

8/10/01: Airbag light
Replaced spiral spring assembly ring 1J0-959-653-C

1/3/02: Airbag light
Replaced harness 1J0-971-584A
Replaced harness 6E0-971-582-C
Replaced ring 1J0-959-653-C
Replaced connector 111-971-940-A

2/15/02: Airbag light
Replaced harness 1J0-971-584A
Replaced ring 1J0-959-653-C

2/15/02: CEL
Replace engine coolant temp switch
Replace MAF

2/18/02: Airbag light
Replace driver's air bag unit 3B0-880-201-AS-4EC

2/20/02: Airbag light
Replaced harness 1J0-971-584A

2/25/02: Airbag light
Replaced harness 1J0-971-584A

3/6/01: Airbag light on

Interesting developments reported here:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=272552

This could be VAG-tool related. http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/vw_issues.html#Airbags

[ March 07, 2002, 12:59: Message edited by: rgoetz ]

Man, I'm REALLY sorry to hear about these problems that you've been having..

KNOCK ON WOOD. My '99 GLS 1.8T (70K) has run like a champ from day one.

I can only hope that this problem get's REALLY REALLY.. NO REALLY fixed this time..

Good luck

Thanks.

BTW, according to Uwe, this isn't VAG-COM related.

still going but maybe end is near

Hello again to all!

My Passat is still going at about 150K miles, and my daughter, who was a little girl whom some old-timers met at GTGs in Vermont and/or Montreal 10+ years ago, drives it now, but the end may finally be near -- having mystery coolant problems.

Daydreaming about a Jetta Sportswagen TDI.

So, did the airbag issue finally get resolved?

rgoetz said:

Daydreaming about a Jetta Sportswagen TDI.

Click to expand...

What's the daydream? That VW finally builds a reliable car again?
Keep dreaming!

FowVay said:

So, did the airbag issue finally get resolved?

Click to expand...

Yes, the airbag got fixed after I sued VW under the NJ lemon law. VW also paid my attorney's fees and paid me $4K for devaluation of the car. Ha!

Well, at least you got rid of it before the high pressure fuel pump pushrod wore right into the lobe on the intake cam, another known problem with the 2.0t.

Brian's96TDIPASSAT said:

Well, at least you got rid of it before the high pressure fuel pump pushrod wore right into the lobe on the intake cam, another known problem with the 2.0t.

Click to expand...

2.0T? Look at the date on the OP... well before the 2.0T was a sparkle in it's papa's eye

Incidentally I DID get ride of mine before that happened, but apparently VW has extended the warranty for that issue to 10 yrs/120,000 miles whichever comes first.

rgoetz said:

Daydreaming about a Jetta Sportswagen TDI.

Click to expand...

The Passat is finally gone and I now have a 1-week old JSW.

Wow a thread where valois was giving advice! Holy update batman!

Hopefully your JSW ownership doesn't get off to such a rocky start

-J