[Vwdiesel] Saga of the principle of unintended consequences OR….

[dieseltdi at verizon.net]

How the solution to one problem set off a series of repairs!

The saga started about 18 months ago when I talked VW into giving my Jetta PD the extreme cold weather start recall (new glow plugs, new injectors and reflash the ECU).  My problem started right away, in warm to hot weather the cruise simply would not work properly.  It would drop out, not maintain speed or slow down and then speed up.  It seemed to be temperature related but ……  Anyway, about a 2 months ago, I began an email conversation with Charlie at Kermatdi.  After sending him a series of VAGCOM logs, he began to make some suggestions as to the possible cause of my cruise problems.  My MAF was showing signs of failing so that is what I replaced first.  This helped some, but ended up pointing to the EGR vacuum actuator as the problem as the cruise would work if it was disconnected so I replaced that.  About then I noticed that the temperature sensor was acting up so I replaced it only to discover that the local FLAPS version didn't work so I replace it with OEM and everything seemed fine but the cruise still didn't work.  Finally Charlie suggested that I take the car in a get the latest BEW reflash as mine was not the latest one.  I popped in my spare ECU, and paid the dealer to do the reflash.  Praise be, cruise control now worked!!!! but now I noticed that one of my cooling fans wasn't operating (of course it was the large expensive one) so I replaced it.  Now both run properly.  The dealer also pointed out that my front brake pads were almost gone, so I replaced those.   then Unfortunately, I noticed that the car was running a bit hot, sometimes climbing 2 notches above centerline, not enough to over heat but enough to cause me some concern.  It only did this on the highway and not on local trips.  So, I replaced the thermostat.  Some how or other when I replaced the thermostat, I trashed the crankcase speed sensor so now the car wouldn't start.  Today, replaced the sensor and everything works perfect…….for now!  I wonder what is next.  I guess I shouldn't complain, the car just turned over 150000 miles and I haven't had any real big expenses since I bought it (although I did replace the struts, shocks and front and rear brakes when I bought it).  Oh well, anyone want to make bets on what part I will need to replace next?  Hayden

“There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle.” 

“I do not know if the people of the United States would vote for superior men if they ran for office, but there can be no doubt that such men do not run."

“I cannot help fearing that men may reach a point where they look on every new theory as a danger, every innovation as a toilsome trouble, every social advance as a first step toward revolution, and that they may absolutely refuse to move at all.”  Alexis de Tocqueville


Visit my website at:  http://mysite.verizon.net/resosxp8/mydieselpages/
Proud owner of:
2004 Jetta GL PD TDI
1968 Beetle, my latest project, watch for details
1982 VW Jetta Coupe with GTD turbo diesel transplant (in progress)
And many, many, many VWs; from a 1947 Beetle (13 Beetles total), to Vans (5 - 3 splitties, 2 bay window (both were campers), 1 Vanagon Westy, Rabbits (3), Karmen Ghia (1), Jettas (9), Passats (2), Dasher (1), New Beetle (1), Rabbit Convertible (1) and Rabbit Pickups (3) most now gone but not forgotten.