rocketeer928 - My 2003 VW Jetta TDI

[tydaddy]

This tread is nuts. I've been following since I first started lurking - circa 2005-6?! Kudos to you!

 

[rocketeer928]

LED Taillights Installation

I used the money I got for selling my stock VNT 15 turbo to buy new FK LED taillights for ECS Tuning.

Pulled out the stock taillights.

Here are the new FK LED taillights.

Here’s a picture of the right taillight with all the lights on.

After 11 years, I had to abandon the FK LED taillights and go back to OEM style. The LEDs in the tail and brake lights started burning out.

 

[1tdi]

Ok thanks

 

[rocketeer928]

Today I finally had time to tackle the new stereo parasitic battery drain issue I have been dealing with. The Pioneer stereo drained my battery to DEAD DEAD a couple of times, since the Jetta wasn't being used much during the COVID-19 work-from-home time last year. I recharged the battery and pulled the 25-amp radio fuse back in January and haven't been using the stereo from winter through spring.

I tried this option from autopumpkin.com and https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/new-stereo-draining-battery.486153/ :

Underneath the dash, I used the switched 75X terminal. The blue wire toward the back is the one I installed to the stereo compartment.

That blue wire is now connected to the yellow wire leading from the stereo connector.

Put the fuse back in and the stereo works again. I had forgotten how nice it sounds!

One thing I noticed right away is that now the stereo doesn't stay on when I turn the key to the off position and until I pull the key from the ignition switch. Instead, once the car is turned off, the stereo goes out. Now I'll let the car just sit in the garage for a couple of weeks to see if the battery drains again. I hope not!!

 

[rocketeer928]

The good news: My TDI sat for two weeks and the battery didn't die, so the parasitic drain caused by the Pioneer stereo has been fixed.

The bad news: Now every time I get into the car, I need to press a few "buttons" up front to get the radio to work with my mobile phone. So, it's not an automatic process anymore. Oh well, I'll take the inconvenience over a dead battery.

 

[rocketeer928]

While I had my Jetta on jack stands waiting for the new rear calipers to arrive, I decided to make a change to the Oettinger grille. The grille came with cheap plastic grating. As can be seen in this picture, I must have had something fly into my grille, which broke off a piece of the plastic. I think you'll have to have a really good eye to see the broken piece close to the VW emblem, but believe me, it's there (or not, depending on your perspective).

Therefore, I purchased a sheet of gloss-black Aluminum Diamond Mesh Grille. It looks much better and seems to me that it will hold up better.

Front view before:

Front view after:

I was going over my thread today, and when I got to this post, I went "Hmm..." The gloss-black Aluminum Diamond Mesh Grille that I used is now silver. The "black" must have gotten weathered over the last decade. Still looks good, though.

 

[rocketeer928]

My 1970 VW Type 3 Squareback - Birdie

I know it's not a diesel... And NO, I'm not going to put a diesel in it...


Last month I purchased a Cobalt Blue 1970 VW Type 3 Squareback, which I plan over time to have restored. I bought it off a guy from California. The link to my new-to-me Squareback nicknamed "Birdie" is in my signature.

After nearly 3 years, Birdie is STILL at the restoration shop. Long story and I've really have had to be patient.

 

[benIV]

I hadn't known about the type 3's until I saw your post about it years ago. I've been searching for one ever since. Would love to hear your story about Birdie.

 

[rocketeer928]

I hit 160,000 miles, so I did the usual oil and all filters changing. I also installed a new fuel line from the filter to the 11 mm pump, as the original looked as though it could start leaking soon. A little insurance.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Good to see your post, and I'm happy you still have the car!

 

[rocketeer928]

Good to know you're still posting too, Peter. Taking good care of my TDI. Detailing inside and outside likely tomorrow.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Still posting, still driving IBW. 450K and counting.

 

[Geobmx4life]

Love this thread!!! I’m wondering how the soundproofing did on your skid plate, I’m considering doing the same

 

[rocketeer928]

I’m wondering how the soundproofing did on your skid plate, I’m considering doing the same

I put the soundproofing on in 2008. I think that it helped, but probably not significantly.

 

[rocketeer928]

My NIVA Club had their Bug Fest at Fox Valley VW in St. Charles, IL today. There weren't many mid-year water cooled VWs there, but I managed 1st place in the category.

My buddy Pete's powder blue 1973 VW Type 1 Super Beetle Convertible was on the t-shirts, dash plaques, and awards this year.

 

[rocketeer928]

Ugh!!! My stereo isn’t disconnecting when I turn off the ignition, and my battery is draining dead again. Odd and annoying. I think I’ll have to install a kill switch from that blue wire I added in my attempt to fix the issue before.

 

[rocketeer928]

I still have no idea why the wiring fix I did worked for over a year, and then decided to not work. Parasitic gremlins, I guess.

Stereo kill switch installed. Now I just need to remember to toggle the switch before leaving the car, though I suspect that the bright red light will be a good reminder (at night anyway).

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

The stereo (aftermarket) on my '99.5 Golf developed a drain that was killing the battery. Like your car, it doesn't get driven regularly, If it did I may never have noticed. I pulled the fuse. I'll replace it at some point. I generally don't use it anyway.

 

[rocketeer928]

Turns out that the toggle switch isn’t going to help. I went out to the car, turned the ignition switch to ON, toggled the new switch, and the stereo has been drawing power for over two hours. So, installing the toggle was a waste of time and materials, and I’m back to pulling the fuse. Annoying!

Update on 26-Nov-2022: I re-wired the toggle switch to kill the fuse electrical connection, rather than the "ignition ON" wiring. Still an inconvenience every time I get into the car, but it seems to be a good work-around to just toggle a switch without having to constantly pull the radio fuse or killing my battery (had to buy a new one b/c drained too many times).

 

[benIV]

My buddy Pete's powder blue 1973 VW Type 1 Super Beetle Convertible was on the t-shirts, dash plaques, and awards this year.

Congratulations on your award!

I've got a 72. I love bugs; they're such gorgeous vehicles.

View media item 68362

 

[rocketeer928]

If interested, all three of my VWs are now in my signature. Birdie is still at the shop for complete restoration, and it's been 4-years so far...

 

[rocketeer928]

Moved back to Connecticut, joined the Connecticut Volkswagen Association (CVA), and went to my first event. Won 2nd place in the A4 (MKIV) category at the 2023 Bug-A-Fair at the Terryville Fairgrounds.

The Jetta TDI and my other vehicles get re-registered into CT soon.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Welcome back to the east coast! Good to see the Jetta is doing well. Too bad that TDI GTGs around here seem to be a thing of the past. Maybe I'll see you at another show in the area.

 

[rocketeer928]

Welcome back to the east coast! Good to see the Jetta is doing well. Too bad that TDI GTGs around here seem to be a thing of the past. Maybe I'll see you at another show in the area.

You and I could have a GTG sometime.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I still have a son in Western MA (Northampton). Depending on where you are in CT I could drop down that way sometime.

 

[rocketeer928]

I still have a son in Western MA (Northampton). Depending on where you are in CT I could drop down that way sometime.

We're just over the border south of Springfield

 

[rocketeer928]

I took 2nd place in the A4 (MKIV) category at the 2024 Bug-A-Fair at the Terryville Connecticut Fairgrounds this past month.

It's odd... Whenever I enter my TDI in a show and my car gets an award, I always get 2nd place. Doesn't matter if it's a past TDI Club show, a past Northeast Illinois Volkswagen Association (NIVA) show, or a past or present Connecticut Volkswagen Association (CVA) show. 2nd place! Ha, ha!

I know my Jetta TDI isn't showroom / restoration quality. So really, 2nd place is not bad. I told one VW friend of mine that I should put a big Number 2 on my hood.

 

[bigsexyTDI]

I have an idea/theory. You and I have never interacted here before, so first I would just like to say congrats on such a long ownership of one of the TDIClub's flagships on the "list of memorable cars." Your PG Jetta with the ABT grille has been famous for a long long time.

That said, my OPINION, and it is simply that, is that your wheel choice takes away from the rest of your mods. Everything looks OEM+++ and then the wheels just don't deliver the same feeling. My gut feeling is that if you showed up next show on some borrowed Aristos, Monte Carlos, Long Beach, or Beetle Delta Xs that you would fully unlock the OEM+++++ look and take the win.

Hopefully you will read this as it was intended... just friendly advice and not malicious criticism. Cheers.

I took 2nd place in the A4 (MKIV) category at the 2024 Bug-A-Fair at the Terryville Connecticut Fairgrounds this past month.

It's odd... Whenever I enter my TDI in a show and my car gets an award, I always get 2nd place. Doesn't matter if it's a past TDI Club show, a past Northeast Illinois Volkswagen Association (NIVA) show, or a past or present Connecticut Volkswagen Association (CVA) show. 2nd place! Ha, ha!

I know my Jetta TDI isn't showroom / restoration quality. So really, 2nd place is not bad. I told one VW friend of mine that I should put a big Number 2 on my hood.

 

[rocketeer928]

Thanks for the compliment and your opinion. I’m not buying new wheels just to try and get a 1st place showing. It’s not really that important to me.
My OEM fat-fives are used for the winter tires.

 

[rocketeer928]

170,000 miles

Today I changed the oil, its filter, air filter, and cabin filter. Pleased that when I removed the skid plate that there weren’t any leaks or other surprises lurking underneath. All looking good for my 21+ year old Jetta.

I know, IBW! You want me to drive my TDI more. But sir, I work from home and am constantly working. Maybe the next time I order ID Parts supplies I should pick them up in person to say hello. That might not be for another 10K miles, though!