A minor announcement and a few questions for all Mountain/Southwest States Members

[JSWTDI09]

OK, I have one minor announcement, and two questions for all the TDIClub members in this "Mountain/Southwest States" region.

First the announcement: For those of you who have not yet noticed, this sub forum now has a moderator for the first time (at least in my memory). That moderator is ME. Therefore, if anybody wants a thread renamed or deleted, or if you want somebody else's post edited - send me a PM. I can edit any post, move posts, kill SPAM, and ban spammers and a few other things (I'm still learning). I only have these powers in the forum I moderate (which means this one), so if you want to do any of these things in another sub-forum, you will have to PM the moderator of that forum or an administrator. Anyway, I can also make threads a "Sticky" or I can "unsticky" a thread. Feel free to let me know if anyone thinks a thread should be made sticky. I will make this thread a sticky for a little while. This brings up my first question:

Q1) There is currently an "Official Mountain/Southwest States Vendor Deals Thread" here as a sticky. This thread has been dead for quite a while and the only "deal" still listed has a dead website. Are there any area vendors who want to offer any special deals to local buyers? If not, how long should this dead thread remain a "sticky"? I can always make it a sticky again if someone wants to offer a deal.

Q2) Why is this forum so dead? The only North American regional forum with fewer posts in it is "Central Canada". There are not a lot of people in Central Canada, so we ought to be at least a little bit embarrassed. It would be nice if we could see some local GTGs take place since there is no TDIFest this year. If anyone has any ideas to on how to liven this place up, feel free to make suggestions. With nobody making posts, moderating this forum could get to be quite boring.

Have Fun!

Don

P.S. ...and play nice - I really don't want to have to ban anybody.

 

[jetlagmech]

Hey Don!!!!!

I'm back from vacation. put 2968 miles on the Jetta in the past 3 weeks. I was going to PM you but after reading this, thought I would do my part and post. Congrats on your moderator status. Good choice as your are always posting to help others and I have never seen you get involved in some of the politics and bickering that sometimes happens.

Got home Thurs the 3rd to the house A/C unit broke down, daughters car broke down, pool needing care, TV wont turn on, reltives visiting and want to do stuff with us. so been busy since I got home but almost caught up niow. just the TV left to fix, suspect the power supply. You kinow a lot about these cars.......know anything about TV's ????????

talk to you later Rory

 

[JSWTDI09]

You kinow a lot about these cars.......know anything about TV's ????????

LOL. When I was in school studying electrical engineering (many years ago), I got some very good advice from one of my instructors. He said: "Never let on to anybody that you know anything about fixing TVs, unless you intend to make your living fixing TVs. If people know that you can fix TVs, everybody (and his brother) will be bringing you dead TVs to fix." I have fixed a few of my own TVs, but I feign ignorance whenever anybody else asks if I know anything about them.

That said: If it is completely dead (no lights or sounds), it could well be power related a power supply, fuse, or circuit breaker. Is this a CRT or a flat panel TV? If flat panel, is it LCD or Plasma? Plasma displays draw more power and might be more likely to suffer power supply failures, but any power supply can fail. However, many LCD display failures are failures in the inverter needed to create the high voltage for fluorescent back-lighting. Obviously, this is not an issue with newer LED back-lighted displays. Give me a call if you want to talk about it.

Have Fun! (and good luck)

Don

 

[mishkaya]

Congratulations on the promotion! I certainly hope you got a pay raise to go along with it!

 

[abctdi]

A1) If a vendor does not care to reply to his own thread in a week or two, then kill it.

 

[JSWTDI09]

Congratulations on the promotion! I certainly hope you got a pay raise to go along with it!

Yeah, they doubled my salary! Unfortunately 2x0 is still 0.

A1) If a vendor does not care to reply to his own thread in a week or two, then kill it.

I am leaning the same way. If I don't get any positive responses soon, that thread will lose it's "sticky" status and then slowly sink into oblivion.

Thanks for the replies.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[3turboz]

As to why this region is so dead, maybe it is the distances between us members. I think this is true here in AZ. FredS hosted a GTG once, but we have not been able to put anything together since. Phoenix alone is over 525 square miles, so even a local GTG involves some travel here.

That said, I am all for a regional GTG and would have not trouble traveling to a neighboring state some time.

 

[TDI in MT]

As to why this region is so dead, maybe it is the distances between us members. I think this is true here in AZ.

That's absolutely true here in Montana.

 

[Philzila]

So when are we gonna do a Vegas meet up!

 

[JSWTDI09]

So when are we gonna do a Vegas meet up!

Whenever we get a few people to agree to meet up. The problem in Las Vegas is that this time of year, it is too hot to do anything after about 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning. A month or so ago we tried to have a GTG at the cars and coffee show on Eastern Ave, but only 2 of us showed up. Perhaps we can plan something bigger after the summer heat breaks (like Oct. or Nov.) or meet at 7:00 AM at Cars and coffee. We are also open to suggestions, if you know of a nice air conditioned place to meet up.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[waltzconmigo]

Don---"Have Fun!" with the new ban stick. seriously, congrats on the promotion. "with great power comes great responsibility."--Voltaire

 

[3turboz]

Whenever we get a few people to agree to meet up. The problem in Las Vegas is that this time of year, it is too hot to do anything after about 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning. A month or so ago we tried to have a GTG at the cars and coffee show on Eastern Ave, but only 2 of us showed up. Perhaps we can plan something bigger after the summer heat breaks (like Oct. or Nov.) or meet at 7:00 AM at Cars and coffee. We are also open to suggestions, if you know of a nice air conditioned place to meet up.

Have Fun!

Don

We just need to meet in Flagstaff!

 

[JSWTDI09]

We just need to meet in Flagstaff!

That might work. Flagstaff is much higher in altitude, so it is usually not so hot (however, it is the "rainy season"). Plus, we have a friend not too far away (near Cottonwood). I might even be able to talk the wife into a road trip.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[mikew85120]

Hello. Wife & I might be interested in a GTG. We live in Apache Junction, SE of Phoenix about 35 miles. Would love to hear about experiences with TDIs. I drove diesels in army but this is our first. 2014 Passat SE TDI DSG

 

[77 K20]

That's absolutely true here in Montana.

There are a few of us around... but I've been traveling so much I've only spent 3 months out of the last year at home.

From the western part of Montana I often drive out to Spokane or Seattle, so don't really look at the rocky mountain region forum. I do try to make it to Las Vegas or Bullhead City once a year or so during the winter. It is a long drive though. Vegas alone is 1,060 miles one way.

 

[ZipiTDi]

Congrats on the promotion as Mod. So sorry there's no pay upgrade, only personal recognition for a job well done.

My thoughts on why not so many posting... we're all so busy, myself included.
I've been off the tdiclub site for a long while due to 6 months of house hunting daily (started in early Jan.) in Boulder and surrounding area, then finally decided to move to Ft. Collins, CO where I can actually afford a place to buy and have some money left over for rehabbing it. Was also dealing with younger daughter's personal crap (get a job, will ya kid - she's almost 25 now and still no job). End of April I helped move said daughter from WA back to CO because she doesn't seem capable of making any decisions about anything (maybe she's depressed?); returned to a dying cat I finally put to sleep; then dealing with said daughter's stuff we brought back and where she's going to live (here, her father's, no here, back to her father's, maybe her own rental - wait, she can't afford it, rental with friends - nope they're all going in different directions, so she settled on her father's basement, ); more house hunting. I finally found one so then a closing in mid-July. Then I fell down some stairs and injured my shoulder, back and neck. Had lots of repairs and then new tires for both my cars (one of which said daughter is now driving and buying from me by the month). Just started working on plans for rehabing the new place in Ft. Collins when I had that fall. Now, my Passat started acting up again. It needs more repairs, including the timing belt and BSM change still. UGH! Somebody smoke a joint for me. It's legal here, but I don't have the extra cash to buy any.

I'm exhausted just typing all this! I need a vacation, but alas, no extra money or time to take one, not even to go camping .

I need to find a sugar daddy of my own , and a good, reliable shop in Ft. Collins. Right now, I'm scared to keep driving the Passat back and forth (an hour each way).

 

[salo65]

Weather is going to be very nice here in Las Vegas starting Oct. I host Cars and Coffee here and can help plan something here!

 

[jetlagmech]

Funny you posted this today....Don (the new big brother of this forum) and I just talked and planned to meet there tomarrow. If anyone else wants to show up look for a tall guy and a short guy, I will wear a Seahawks jersey number 12 to make us easy to spot.

we are planning to show up about 7:30, look at the cars then get some B-fast there somewhere. We tried once to get B-fast first but didn't work out too well, started chatting and by the time we got to the car show it was starting to break up since it was getting hot.

there is usually a beautifully restored bright orange VW thing parked at the north end of the lot. I will try to park close to it. see if we can get several TDI's together.

 

[JSWTDI09]

Due to the underwhelming responses received to question #1 in post #1, I have decided to "unsticky" that thread called "Official Mountain/Southwest States Vendor Deals Thread". Since there are no deals available, it is no longer going to be at the top.

If any Mountain/Southwest vendors want to create a special deal for local members, I will be happy to make it sticky again.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[dieselblitzer]

I've been off the site for a while now. Seems there was a lot more interest and activity when it was the AZTDI club. I'd like to contribute what I can to the club and become active again. I now have a 2014 Beetle TDi and I'm looking for a new home for my 97 Jetta TDi. If anyone in the Phoenix area needs access to a VAG-COM system I have a Ross-Tech VCDS available. I've been brewing Biodiesel for 10 years so I know a thing or two about that if it's of interest to anyone. I've had a few VW diesels since they were first introduced in 76.

 

[annamei]

If anyone in the Phoenix area needs access to a VAG-COM system I have a Ross-Tech VCDS available.

I might be very interested in using your vag-com. My car is back at the dealer for the second time in a month - last time was a HPFP failure, not sure this time as it was just towed in to Berge Mazda VW last night.

Try not to crucify me for the very basic questions but - how long are codes stored? If they clear them can you still see the previous like xx number of faults? I'm really curious what is going on with this car. I am seriously considering trading it in but other then the recent issues it has been an amazing vehicle.

 

[jhax]

I would definitely like a meet up, it has to be big enough to span a few days though. I'm in Golden, CO and drive to Wuste, it is a trek though, especially in a 1.6NA (working on the TDI swap). Now that I am settled into my career and have no kids and only school loans to pay, bring it on!!! We could all meet up in CO too, nice and central to our neck of the continent.

 

[JSWTDI09]

Try not to crucify me for the very basic questions but - how long are codes stored? If they clear them can you still see the previous like xx number of faults? I'm really curious what is going on with this car. I am seriously considering trading it in but other then the recent issues it has been an amazing vehicle.

Fault codes (DTCs) are stored until they are cleared. Once they are cleared, they are gone forever, unless the problem still exists and then they will come back.

I would definitely like a meet up, it has to be big enough to span a few days though. I'm in Golden, CO and drive to Wuste, it is a trek though, especially in a 1.6NA (working on the TDI swap). Now that I am settled into my career and have no kids and only school loans to pay, bring it on!!! We could all meet up in CO too, nice and central to our neck of the continent.

Next year, when Wüste is getting closer, start a new thread announcing that you are going to be in Las Vegas for the show. I suspect that a few members will be interested in meeting up (either at the event or someplace else). Given some advance warning, we should be able to work something out.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[jhax]

Ill give it a shot, its the same time every year, mid juneish.

 

[rstruff]

Newbe finding his way

And cut.... Well, if anyone one reads this, hello. I'm looking for any info in or around the Salt Lake City area, not limited to SLC only, that has years of experience with the TDI's. Or even some input before I reinvent the wheel. I just bought my first Jetta 2014 (CJAA I think this is the motor) and want to do some mods. Because I live in the Rockies I want to know what works at this altitude, temperature extremes from -30 below winters and 100* summers. Looking to do some exhaust and ECM stuff. Sleeper style. If anybody could lead me to a garage, shop or ideas would be great.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I found a couple guys in Boise, ID to connect with. There are a few enthusiasts up here in SV. But it seems we intermountain folk are an independent lot to some extent. And the lack of population makes it hard to be a TDI specialist, much less a specialist for particular cars, such as my B5.5 wagon with the BHW.

Still, hoping to build some interest and connections so that we can support one another and help each other out. Even get together at some point!

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Congrats on the promotion as Mod. So sorry there's no pay upgrade, only personal recognition for a job well done.

My thoughts on why not so many posting... we're all so busy, myself included.
I've been off the tdiclub site for a long while due to 6 months of house hunting daily (started in early Jan.) in Boulder and surrounding area, then finally decided to move to Ft. Collins, CO where I can actually afford a place to buy and have some money left over for rehabbing it. Was also dealing with younger daughter's personal crap (get a job, will ya kid - she's almost 25 now and still no job). End of April I helped move said daughter from WA back to CO because she doesn't seem capable of making any decisions about anything (maybe she's depressed?); returned to a dying cat I finally put to sleep; then dealing with said daughter's stuff we brought back and where she's going to live (here, her father's, no here, back to her father's, maybe her own rental - wait, she can't afford it, rental with friends - nope they're all going in different directions, so she settled on her father's basement, ); more house hunting. I finally found one so then a closing in mid-July. Then I fell down some stairs and injured my shoulder, back and neck. Had lots of repairs and then new tires for both my cars (one of which said daughter is now driving and buying from me by the month). Just started working on plans for rehabing the new place in Ft. Collins when I had that fall. Now, my Passat started acting up again. It needs more repairs, including the timing belt and BSM change still. UGH! Somebody smoke a joint for me. It's legal here, but I don't have the extra cash to buy any.

I'm exhausted just typing all this! I need a vacation, but alas, no extra money or time to take one, not even to go camping .

I need to find a sugar daddy of my own , and a good, reliable shop in Ft. Collins. Right now, I'm scared to keep driving the Passat back and forth (an hour each way).

Just had to pop back in when I saw the Boulder connection. I bought my car (2005 Passat Wagon) with a dead auto tranny and had a 5 speed put in it. the car is in pretty good shape cosmetically and otherwise for a 10 year old car. the owner maintained it at Wolfsburg and occasionally Gebhardt. No apparent rust either.

Here is my project thread, in case anyone is interested.

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=433916

 

[MrBill767]

Don,
Begin a road trip this Tues through 5 nation parks in Utah. Should have fun putting 2nd 500 miles on my 15 Golf TDI. Will be ininteresting to see the difference in performance from the 1st 500 miles at 7,000 ft and as low as 2,000 ft if not lower. Concerned about return to CO with low altitude cetane in the tank though.

 

[JSWTDI09]

Don,
Begin a road trip this Tues through 5 nation parks in Utah. Should have fun putting 2nd 500 miles on my 15 Golf TDI. Will be interesting to see the difference in performance from the 1st 500 miles at 7,000 ft and as low as 2,000 ft if not lower. Concerned about return to CO with low altitude cetane in the tank though.

There are some truly spectacular places in those southern Utah national parks. You will enjoy it. Do not worry about the fuel. Diesel fuel is pretty much the same anywhere in the USA except in the winter and your turbocharger will easily compensate for the changes in air pressure as you come down out of the clouds.

Have Fun!

Don

 

[CaffeineMan]

Greetings from Pahrump

Figured I'd post up just to say hi and thanks for people posting local info. I'm out in Pahrump (Nye County). I'm no sort of mechanic and I can't really say I'm a huge enthusiast, but I love my 2013 Jetta TDI. It's my daily driver, as I commute over the hump to Las Vegas.

Mostly for fun "driving" I ride my motorcycle.

Because it's been under warranty, I haven't done anything to it, but now it's over 60k, so I think it's out of warranty at this point... Who knows?

If there's a GTG, I'd try to swing by just to see TDI's nicer than mine.