What did you do to your MKIV today?

[dieseldonato]

There’s a How-To here somewhere on extending the fob range by making a longer antenna wire in the car.

I followed the how to and it helped a bit. Before you had to be right at a certain area of the windshield for it to work. Now you can at least be a few feet away. I did read somewhere that the moduels themselves can have issues internally. It's an annoyance more so then anything.

 

[dieseldonato]

Time for a new battery in the fob??

I replaced the fob battery not too long ago, well right before I did the antenna mod. Didn't seem to make a difference in performance.

 

[gmenounos]

Removed the Westfalia euro hitch from the wagon (which I'm getting rid of) so that I can install it in the Golf. While I had the tail lights off, I replaced them with some euro ocean lights that I had bought a while back but never installed.

Installed the Westfalia hitch on the Golf. Also replaced the stock taillights with GTI tails that I bought a while back. I think they look better on a black car than the stock lights. Finally replaced both broken springs with Lesjöfors wagon springs. Hopefully they'll last longer than the Suplex, which both broke in less than 30k miles.

 

[hey_allen]

I have to ask, was it a reputable battery you swapped in the fob?

I made the mistake of buying a pack of harbor freight coin cell batteries and the new one was barely better than the one I removed.

I bought an Energizer one the next day, and have around 50' range, which is about all my fob has ever been good for.

 

[dieseldonato]

I have to ask, was it a reputable battery you swapped in the fob?

I made the mistake of buying a pack of harbor freight coin cell batteries and the new one was barely better than the one I removed.

I bought an Energizer one the next day, and have around 50' range, which is about all my fob has ever been good for.

It's a Duracell in it. Little red light lights up when you push the buttons and all. Didn't do that before I replaced it. Guess I could check voltage on it and see if I got a dud.

 

[hey_allen]

It's a Duracell in it. Little red light lights up when you push the buttons and all. Didn't do that before I replaced it. Guess I could check voltage on it and see if I got a dud.

It couldn't hurt to check, but a fresh Duracell is probably fine.

 

[J_dude]

Well the old TDI is finally back together! I drove it on Saturday and found I needed to adjust the drivers door a bit more, was getting wind noise pretty bad on the A-pillar, so I had to pull the bumper and fenders off again to get at the bolts (I don’t have those fancy triplesquare bits that @KrashDH has with the hex on the outside that you can get a wrench on) but I think I got everything lined up pretty well now. Also found out how to get at the upper hinge bolts without taking the dash out:

MKIV Front Door, Removing Upper Hinge Inner Bolt, *Without* Dash Removal

I couldn’t find any actual information on how to do this so I decided to figure it out on my own and make an attempt at documenting the “details” with some crappy cellphone pics. I needed to adjust the upper front door hinges and almost every thread said you have to pull the dash back to get at...

forums.tdiclub.com

Then I tried to call and get an appointment for a wheel alignment this morning and realized, “Oh yeah, long weekend, duh!”

 

[P2B]

was getting wind noise pretty bad on the A-pillar

Our wagon has that issue, pretty sure it's because the (NLA) rubber strip that is supposed to be inside the leading edge of the door is missing.

 

[Zak99b5]

Torqued the lower shock bolts and axle bushing pivot bolts with the car on the ground and went for a test drive after installing the Whiteline bushings yesterday.

Noises coming from the back left when turning right and hitting bumps. Ruh roh.

came back and jacked it up. Apparently in my exhaustion I didn’t mind where the top of the left spring was, and it was a good bit aft of the nubbin the rubber spring top is supposed to sit on.

Fixed that and went back out. Cornering definitely felt better than before—more solid or planted, I’d say. I also noticed how quiet it was. I hadn’t heard The rear axle clunking or clanking, but clearly the old ones had some slop. Absolutely no increase in NVH.

Finally I feel that stupid long job was worth it.

 

[J_dude]

Our wagon has that issue, pretty sure it's because the (NLA) rubber strip that is supposed to be inside the leading edge of the door is missing.

Yes I still have those strips, there was actually a gap between it and the one on the body. These doors were swapped from my parts car so I didn’t have them adjusted quite right (too high) the first time since I didn’t think that upper mount bolt was accessible. I think readjusting has fixed the issue, I’ll take it for another drive today and see I guess.
It probably doesn’t help that the drivers A-pillar was tweaked in a crash sometime before I acquired this car...

 

[P2B]

Yes I still have those strips, there was actually a gap between it and the one on the body. These doors were swapped from my parts car

I don't suppose the driver's door you took off still has that strip? Mind you, I'm not sure it's removable intact...

 

[J_dude]

I don't suppose the driver's door you took off still has that strip? Mind you, I'm not sure it's removable intact...

I’ll check

 

[J_dude]

I don't suppose the driver's door you took off still has that strip? Mind you, I'm not sure it's removable intact...

No such luck, it’s missing off of my old door. Funny thing is I never noticed any wind noise when I had that door installed... Maybe yours needs some adjustment? Or maybe replace the seal that goes along the windshield and along the edge of the roof?

 

[P2B]

No such luck, it’s missing off of my old door. Funny thing is I never noticed any wind noise when I had that door installed... Maybe yours needs some adjustment? Or maybe replace the seal that goes along the windshield and along the edge of the roof?

Thanks for checking. I'm pretty sure the door alignment is good, panel gaps are near perfect and the gap between door and windshield trim matches the other side and the sedan. Besides, I first noticed the noise after picking the car up after a rust repair in that area several years ago - called the body shop who said sorry the strip was damaged on removal and is NLA.

The wind noise is not terrible, but I notice it because I rarely drive the wagon.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Yesterday drove IBW on a loop that I've been thinking about for a while, although for no apparent reason.

From home (between Boston and Cape Cod) to NYC for coffee at Grand Central, west through the Lincoln Tunnel into NJ and then north to Scranton, PA, and up 81 to Syracuse NY. Then home on 90 (NY Thruway and Mass Pike). I had never driven from NYC to Syracuse on 81 and was curious to try it. Nice ride, pretty scenery, more hills than I thought there would be.

825 miles, 1 tank of fuel, 52.7 MPG. I kept the cruise at 75 almost the whole time. I love those big first half tanks on road trips.

I did have one interesting hiccup: the car was cutting out going downhill with the cruise set. Felt like fuel cutting, but then I noticed the boost gauge would go to 0 when it cut. Next stop I wiggled connectors to the N75, N18, and MAF, and the problem went away. Read codes this AM, and it showed an implausible signal for the N239 (throttle body). So it was cutting air by closing the throttle body. Time to put the race pipe back on.

 

[PakProtector]

Installed a Mahle VNT17 and BRM intake manifold on our 2002 2DR Golf. The original turbo was leaking at its shaft seals for one, and of course the manifold was occluded by soot build up. It is going to get a SMF upgrade and a set of Nozzles( DLC764's most likely) as well as a bag of Burpod's finest electrons...

Douglas

 

[GlowBugTDI]

Yesterday drove IBW on a loop that I've been thinking about for a while, although for no apparent reason.

From home (between Boston and Cape Cod) to NYC for coffee at Grand Central, west through the Lincoln Tunnel into NJ and then north to Scranton, PA, and up 81 to Syracuse NY. Then home on 90 (NY Thruway and Mass Pike). I had never driven from NYC to Syracuse on 81 and was curious to try it. Nice ride, pretty scenery, more hills than I thought there would be.

825 miles, 1 tank of fuel, 52.7 MPG. I kept the cruise at 75 almost the whole time. I love those big first half tanks on road trips.

Bro, why you always do us like this? 525 at 1/2 tank??? I usually hit that about 3/4 tank or so. That's crazy man, I long for the day I ever see this though I know I never will. Keep up the great mileage!

 

[GlowBugTDI]

Installed a Mahle VNT17 and BRM intake manifold on our 2002 2DR Golf. The original turbo was leaking at its shaft seals for one, and of course the manifold was occluded by soot build up. It is going to get a SMF upgrade and a set of Nozzles( DLC764's most likely) as well as a bag of Burpod's finest electrons...

Douglas

keep us updated!! I will have to revive (bring to the top) the burpod thread soon with some more info. My car has been more fun then ever this summer.

 

[PakProtector]

keep us updated!! I will have to revive (bring to the top) the burpod thread soon with some more info. My car has been more fun then ever this summer.

Will do... There is also a BEW that needs some attention. The Burpod deal ought to be pretty darn simple to write by now. Take baseline logs, flash new electrons, drive for logs. Smile.

Douglas

 

[Gvr]

After almost 2 years of driving with just the top bolt holding the caliper, it finally gave in.
It's my first time using threaded inserts, I love it. Cheap and easy..

photo_6032581309160864847_y.jpg

• Gvr
• Sep 5, 2023

 

[J_dude]

Hmm no power to radio, all fuses are good, all have power. It’s an aftermarket deck, I have the signal wire tied to the 175 relay under the dash, that one is getting power but the main power wire is not...
Given I was just messing around by the fuse and relay panels the other day I wonder if I bumped something I shouldn’t have?
Where should I start looking to narrow this down?

Edit: Oh my goodness.
Ok never mind, I was looking at the wrong fuse, the one for the radio was removed.
Not sure why I would have pulled it out but whatever, it all works now.
Sheesh

 

[Mozambiquer]

Best alternator for 01 5 speed? I’m looking for new Valeo but would like to get it done this weekend

I've got some new Valeo and remanufactured Bosch ones. $145 plus core and shipping for the Bosch or $295 plus shipping for new Valeo
Both 120 amp.
Also have other options, including ceramic bearings and higher amp ones.

 

[PakProtector]

On the turbo replacement, the oil fitting is a known PITA; any suggestion on a tool to counterhold the adapter so it will release the line instead of spinning it( and wrecking it)? Also since I acquired a Garrett VNT17 with a braided line I was not too worried, but on install the banjo bolt it came with turned out to have the wrong threads( finer ), and I used the bolt the car was built with at the oil filter end of the line. Pretty glad I did not get the first half thread engaged and then drive it in...would have ended poorly I have to bet.

Douglas

 

[csstevej]

I’ve taken an open end wrench and ground down the sides so it fits onto the adapter and if that doesn’t align with the wrench opening then take a box wrench grind the sides down so it fits between the housing and cut a slit in it to get past the oil line or use a flare wrench.
I also lube the top of the line to the bottom of the nut where it touches with high temp paste.
Never had an issue with the line twisting.
Prior to removing I generously lube it with penetrating oil on first removal if I have seen the car before.

 

[JDSwan87]

Changed the voltage regulator on the 2dr Golf. I had a lingering battery light after sitting over night that went away with a throttle blip. Changed regulator, all better now. Brushes were shot.

 

[wonneber]

I have to ask, was it a reputable battery you swapped in the fob?

I made the mistake of buying a pack of harbor freight coin cell batteries and the new one was barely better than the one I removed.

I bought an Energizer one the next day, and have around 50' range, which is about all my fob has ever been good for.

I buy those and AA, AAA and 9 volt in Dollar tree.
Last batch was Panasonic alkaline Plus Power.
They also have the 2032 for my fobs'.
They use to have a multi pack with 15 or so button cells.
Took me a while to realize I didn't use most of them.

 

[J_dude]

Just got the printout for my wheel alignment. A little hard to see the numbers in the pic, but why would he not be able to get RF caster and camber within spec? Anything else that looks wrong?

3B9D05E1-2D2C-417C-9D20-41E8978F86B9.jpeg

• J_dude
• Sep 8, 2023

147AA5BE-B367-43C3-AB81-5FCA86C7561A.jpeg

• J_dude
• Sep 8, 2023

 

[Zak99b5]

Camber and caster are slightly adjustable at the ball joint to LCA connection, but many places won't touch that. Cross camber is adjusted by shifting the subframe, but again most places won't do that. They just want to loosen and adjust the tie rods.

 

[J_dude]

Camber and caster are slightly adjustable at the ball joint to LCA connection, but many places won't touch that. Cross camber is adjusted by shifting the subframe, but again most places won't do that. They just want to loosen and adjust the tie rods.

Yeah it says in the notes (2nd pic) that he shifted the subframe, so I dunno.

 

[Zak99b5]

My old eyes missed that part. Wonder if some finageling with the ball joint would get it the rest of the way?