2002 Jetta help

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Anyone ever work on, or have a 2002 Jetta (or 1.8 VW motor of this era)? My co-worker is constantly having problems with her daughter's Jetta. She gets ripped off everytime she takes it in, because the stealership constantly claims that whatever's wrong is not covered under warranty, and end up charging insane labor charges. For example, her SES light came on lately, and it turned out to be an "ignition module" problem. Not sure if was really the coil, module, or switch; but the part was $38, and labor was $180. Other problems are the park lock part of the ignition switch (already fixed)...it burns a quart of oil every 1k...etc.

I want to help her out, but wouldn't know what I would get into, since I never worked on these cars. Are they simple/workable? Or at least as "easy" as our f-bodies? Thanks in advance.

[Z Ya Later]

First thing I always do is pick up a Chilton's/Hayne's manual. They may not be the most precise manuals, but you can get a good idea of what's going on.

Let me know if you need a hand

[ConElite]

I know what the problem is:

"ITS A WV!!"





Sorry just had too

[Trans Am]

If you need parts let me know, they must be cheaper over here

[Z Ya Later]

I know what the problem is:

"ITS A WV!!"





Sorry just had too

Bad Eddie, bad!! lol

Craig, find out what trim level it is (base, GL, GLS, GLX or TDI, the last I doubt since that's diesel).

[FroSSty]

Truly, my best advice would be to sell that heap like it was going outta style. Those VWs are the worse pos cars built imho. I have worked on a few of them and they gave me the biggest headaches...That is why the stealership charges so much. They are the only ones who wanna work on em.

If they don't want to sell it, then the next best thing to do would be to get your hands on a VW repair manual. I used to have a link to a website that sold OE manuals but I can't find it now. You could settle for a haynes, if they make one for it. Good luck as you will need it.

[DHolmes]

My Girl has a 2000 jetta,78k not one problem ever,My only compliants about that car is 115hp and it drink's Oil like water,but I think VW's are reliable cars!

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I don't know but it may have something to do with it being a turbo, 1.8T, that's causing all the problems.

I found a guide on how to replace the coil packs, and it looks like a 10 minute job. It's sad they charged $180 for labor, which is probably claimed as 1.5 hours. Simply put, it's a rip off. I would say to sell it too and buy an f-body but I think she's going to keep it for a while.

[DHolmes]

1.8T 150 hp Ill talk to some of my friends,theres alot of jetta racer's here

[97LT1 T/A]

I work at a VW "stealership" the 1.8L is a pretty solid reliable engine, but when they break it will hurt the wallet bad. As far as costing alot it is because to work on a VW correctly, one takes alot of extra training and two the manufacturer makes us do all kinds of extra dianosis and computer checks and updates. VW does screw with warranty alot, they don't usually pay anymore than they have to.

[Trash man]

My Girl has a 2000 jetta,78k not one problem ever,My only compliants about that car is 115hp and it drink's Oil like water,but I think VW's are reliable cars!

if your car is drinking oil i highly doubt it classifieds for a reliable car.

her best bet is to sell it and go find her self a nice toyota or honda, even a nissan would be good. my dad popped the headgaskets on his 96 t-bird and we junked the car, he bout his 01 solara with 36K, V6 and a 5spd and that thing is gettin 450-500 outta the tank for combined highway and city traffic(commutes to norwalk from new milford every day) its actually saving him 100$ a week in gas!

[Christopherrr]

My Ex had a 2000 GL and it was horrid. I did most of the work myself, because VW would quote insane repair prices. There was one problem I never completely fixed...a slight miss. Obviously my Ex didn't notice it, but I never got it to go away...it still bothers me 4 years after. It was a decent car...good body but man, drivetrain and electrics were always giving problems. Put it this way...I spend more time on her car than modding on mine.

[Trash man]

My Ex had a 2000 GL and it was horrid. I did most of the work myself, because VW would quote insane repair prices. There was one problem I never completely fixed...a slight miss. Obviously my Ex didn't notice it, but I never got it to go away...it still bothers me 4 years after. It was a decent car...good body but man, drivetrain and electrics were always giving problems. Put it this way...I spend more time on her car than modding on mine.

we had a jetta with the same probblem, then we got a code for a cat insuff. so we replaced the cat and the miss went away. go figure

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Thanks for your replies, guys. I ended up getting her a scan tool in case she gets an SES light again. If she does, and it's an easy to fix problem, then I'll definitely offer to fix it. But if it looks like something major, then I'd definitely recommend her to take it in. The scan tool definitely helps get the $$ down, as they would probably charge $100 just for pulling the code.