Car Servicing/Maintaince

[All of a Sludden]

The new bulb could be faulty.

[maddog]

It could be you dip switch or the relay.

Noticed this evening that the dip light (passenger side) would come on for a few seconds but then go out again, so just left with the side light on the passenger side. Loose connection ?

[johnneycool]

Feckin car last night gave a bit of a splutter on the way home, heater plug light is now flashing on and off, car seems OK to drive, bit sluggish at low revs, easy to stall on take off and a hoor to start.

Got into it this morning started on the button, driving as normal, then after 15 minutes, slight splutter, heater plug light flashing again...

its a 2006 2.0Tdi jetta

How would a faulty MAF respond?

[DennistheMenace]

Anyone recommend a good valet service in Belfast?

[GJL]

Feckin car last night gave a bit of a splutter on the way home, heater plug light is now flashing on and off, car seems OK to drive, bit sluggish at low revs, easy to stall on take off and a hoor to start.

Got into it this morning started on the button, driving as normal, then after 15 minutes, slight splutter, heater plug light flashing again...

its a 2006 2.0Tdi jetta

How would a faulty MAF respond?

Don't think it sounds like MAF. Could be EGR valve of even dodgy diesel. The fact that the light comes on means that a fault will be picked up and recorded so plugging it in will give a diagnosis. Where are you based? We are specialising in VAG stuff.

[johnneycool]

Feckin car last night gave a bit of a splutter on the way home, heater plug light is now flashing on and off, car seems OK to drive, bit sluggish at low revs, easy to stall on take off and a hoor to start.

Got into it this morning started on the button, driving as normal, then after 15 minutes, slight splutter, heater plug light flashing again...

its a 2006 2.0Tdi jetta

How would a faulty MAF respond?

Don't think it sounds like MAF. Could be EGR valve of even dodgy diesel. The fact that the light comes on means that a fault will be picked up and recorded so plugging it in will give a diagnosis. Where are you based? We are specialising in VAG stuff.

Got it fixed yesterday with a car electrics specialist in Ards, local mechanic could read the fault code, but hadn't a baldy what it was,, turns out it was an 'Engine speed sender', , the docket also mentions a faulty crank angle sensor, are they one and the same thing?
The part itself not too bad, £47 + VAT, feckin three hours fitting and £40 for initial diagnosis fairly builds the bill up.

I also have a faulty 'throttle control' just beside the EGR, throws up an emissions alarm and causes the engine to judder when stopping the engine, think I'd need to live with it rather than cough up £300 for a replacement.

Where might one get a second hand one or motorfactors type replacement?

[GJL]

Feckin car last night gave a bit of a splutter on the way home, heater plug light is now flashing on and off, car seems OK to drive, bit sluggish at low revs, easy to stall on take off and a hoor to start.

Got into it this morning started on the button, driving as normal, then after 15 minutes, slight splutter, heater plug light flashing again...

its a 2006 2.0Tdi jetta

How would a faulty MAF respond?

Don't think it sounds like MAF. Could be EGR valve of even dodgy diesel. The fact that the light comes on means that a fault will be picked up and recorded so plugging it in will give a diagnosis. Where are you based? We are specialising in VAG stuff.

Got it fixed yesterday with a car electrics specialist in Ards, local mechanic could read the fault code, but hadn't a baldy what it was,, turns out it was an 'Engine speed sender', , the docket also mentions a faulty crank angle sensor, are they one and the same thing?
The part itself not too bad, £47 + VAT, feckin three hours fitting and £40 for initial diagnosis fairly builds the bill up.

I also have a faulty 'throttle control' just beside the EGR, throws up an emissions alarm and causes the engine to judder when stopping the engine, think I'd need to live with it rather than cough up £300 for a replacement.

Where might one get a second hand one or motorfactors type replacement?

Yes I know the part you are on about. It is behind the flywheel and is a big enough job to get at. Try Traynors for a second hand throttle control valve or even Ebay. You will need the part number off your own to make an exact match.

[theskull1]

I also have a faulty 'throttle control' just beside the EGR, throws up an emissions alarm and causes the engine to judder when stopping the engine, think I'd need to live with it rather than cough up £300 for a replacement.

Where might one get a second hand one or motorfactors type replacement?

Yes I know the part you are on about. It is behind the flywheel and is a big enough job to get at. Try Traynors for a second hand throttle control valve or even Ebay. You will need the part number off your own to make an exact match.

I've seen how2's on how to repair throttle body sensors (touching up dry joints on surface mount components) ...dunno if that's the fault on the VW part

[johnneycool]

I also have a faulty 'throttle control' just beside the EGR, throws up an emissions alarm and causes the engine to judder when stopping the engine, think I'd need to live with it rather than cough up £300 for a replacement.

Where might one get a second hand one or motorfactors type replacement?

Yes I know the part you are on about. It is behind the flywheel and is a big enough job to get at. Try Traynors for a second hand throttle control valve or even Ebay. You will need the part number off your own to make an exact match.

I've seen how2's on how to repair throttle body sensors (touching up dry joints on surface mount components) ...dunno if that's the fault on the VW part

TBH it didn't look like there was much of a PCB to it, might take it apart and have a quick look then, I had it down as a mechanical part!.

[theskull1]

You're well used to getting your knuckles scowb'd

[SHEEDY]

iv been told I need the head gasket replaced on my 2001 astra. only use it for getting to and from work about 25miles there and back.  iv been quoted 320quid, is it worth getting it replaced? is this going to lead to more problems down the line? or should I put the money into getting a newer car. was driving well up until this point and has cost me very little in repairs over the years.

[Denn Forever]

What was the reasoning behind replacing it?  If you head gasket goes, water gets  into your oil which could lead to disaster.

You live near GJL, his labour rates are good.  How long would it take to replace a  head gasket? 4 hours?  The main component of the price you've been quoted may be labour.

[Under Lights]

GJL- have you any decent runarounds. Car gave up on me last week- need something around 700 to get me to and from work.

[GJL]

GJL- have you any decent runarounds. Car gave up on me last week- need something around 700 to get me to and from work.

Nothing at present. Cars at that price I trade in usually only last a couple of days. If I get on soon I'll let you know.

[GJL]

iv been told I need the head gasket replaced on my 2001 astra. only use it for getting to and from work about 25miles there and back.  iv been quoted 320quid, is it worth getting it replaced? is this going to lead to more problems down the line? or should I put the money into getting a newer car. was driving well up until this point and has cost me very little in repairs over the years.

No harm but I would suggest that a 2001 Astra is hardly worth the bother or expense.