[Vwdiesel] 04 Jetta BEW cruise control issue

[Chris Geiser]

Hi All;

I'm sending this to the list to get it in the archives - may be there
already, but just as a follow up.
I was having problems with my 04 Jetta BEW.  Cruise control would not hold
speed - after setting it, it would slowly drift down from the set speed,
especially if the resistance was high (wind, air conditioning on, hill).
Then either it would "catch" on its own and zoom back up to speed, or if I
tapped the accelerator it would zoom back up to the set speed also.
Sometimes it would just keep slowing down.
I copied and pasted the reply from Hayden addressing this below.  As it
turns out, it's an issue with the in-tank fuel lift pump / fuel gauge
sending unit (its all one unit).  Mine was still working - once I had it
exposed, I could feel it turn on when I turned the key on, but obviously it
was blocked or wasn't strong enough anymore - replaced it and cruise works
perfectly now.
To replace it - passenger side back seat lifts up and forward, three
Phillips screws hold an access panel on.  The fuel out and in lines clip off
by squeezing the base on the side opposite where the fuel line runs (push it
in with a screwdriver and lift up).  Disconnect the electrical clip.  Then
the big outer ring screws off and you lift the pump right out being careful
to clear the sender float arm. The only tricky part of reinstallation is
getting the sealing ring around the pump to fit in the hole with the pump at
the same time, and holding the pump down against its spring loaded mechanism
to get the outer ring screwed back on.
Sending this just in case it can help someone in the future!!

CG

from Hayden:
Now, from experience with my own 04 Jetta BEW, I can tell you that what your
probably dealing with is the in tank lift pump.  I had the same cruise
problem with mine:  Wouldn't hold speed, if you touched the accelerator it
would rapidly try to speed up to the set speed and sometimes over shoot it.
Well after trying to blame the problem on a number of things, including the
reprograming done with the cold start remedy recall, I saw a post on TDI
club about the lift pump.  Long story short, the OEM pumps don't have a
bypass or they have only a small bypass if the lift pump stops working or
the screen inside of the pump is clogged.  I first tested mine by removing
the lower rear seat cushion, then removing the access cover over the fuel
sender/lift pump.  Next simply turn on the key while holding your hand on
the lift pump, you shouldn't have to start the car as the system starts up
with the glow plugs or just beyond the glow plug stop.  You should be able
to feel it pump up or at the very least, hear it pumping the system up.
When I tested mine, it was dead.  After replacement, cruise works
perfectly.  This also smoothed out some idle issues and hard start issues I
was having.  Hayden