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Author Topic: 2003 Golf GLS - Problems  (Read 5699 times)

Natty

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2003 Golf GLS - Problems
« on: July 28, 2003, 06:43:16 pm »
 So where do I start. I had been looking several month before purchasing my first new car. I finally decided on the Golf GLS because I wanted an Automatic car with Air Conditioning and one that would be reliable. The GLS has some nice features like the heated seats, a good stereo system, the blue light in the dash board etc...
However after a few months I started to notice that there was a whisling sound coming from the front vent when I would get past speeds of 100km. It gets worse of course when you open the window a little to have a cigarette... next the side view mirror defroster didn't work in the middle of January .... and 3 windows had a little leak when going through the touch less car wash.
I finally went to see the dealership 3 months later because I barely had time to go and there hours of operation don't meet my needs so I had to go on a Saturday or take time off work. Needless to say they did fix the sideview mirror but the whistling they said is NORMAL and they said that the leaking was because of the "cold weather" and if they change the seals it could get worse !!!

Any suggestions on what to do?  
Thanks to anyone who read this entire story of mine.
Sincerely,
Natalie. E
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Offline inco

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2003 Golf GLS - Problems
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2003, 09:56:15 am »
 Well I guess the next best thing is to drive the car through a car wash now and see if it is still leaking. If the answer is yes - well you know what has to be done.

As for the whistling - that's a new one. I wonder if turning on the fan eliminates that or if on, turning it off. Sounds like a seal problem that they could track down fairly easy.

And since that dealer didn't do what you wanted it might be a good idea to try another.
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Natty

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2003 Golf GLS - Problems
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2003, 05:01:15 pm »
 Actually I had to drive the car through the touchless car wash with a mechanic in the car.. I actually paid for the wash myself. Two windows leaked a little but of course the manager said that it might be worse to change the seals. And the whistling sound actually gets worse when you press the internal circulation button.
I think you have the right idea about going to another dealer and see what they say.
Thanks.
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Offline russ

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2003 Golf GLS - Problems
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2003, 09:42:58 am »
 if you're in the GTA take it to georgetown vw. they will take care of you - best dealership in ontario, hands down. they understand we're people, not cash dispensers.

~R
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Brent

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2003 Golf GLS - Problems
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2003, 11:35:41 am »
 I had a problem with whistling/noise in the left and right vents of my 2002 Golf.

I've since extracted 2 paper labels (1 from each side) that were apparently placed inside the HVAC ducting by the dashboard supplier Sommer Allibert and subsequently came loose and lodged in the vents.

Two little pieces of paper about and inch square drove me nut for about month.  You may want to examine your vents to see if the same has happened to you.
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Offline onearmed

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« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2003, 10:03:54 pm »
 Drop it off to the nearest dealer before work, they have a shuttle service that will drive you to work and pick you up.  Just arrange a time.
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Offline iamb2

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« Reply #6 on: January 16, 2004, 04:18:38 pm »
Do not buy a Volks TDI any model from 2000-today. They don't start when cold and no block heater is available! Lost many days work and will sell the crap ASAP if possible. After many discussions with dealer and Volks I will NEVER buy a Volks again!
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Offline brian18t

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« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2004, 10:00:40 pm »
I'm a happy second owner of a 2001 Golf 1.8 and have had no problems yet except for an irritatingly difficult battery to remove (as evidenced by the past week of cold) it's been pretty good. But I will admit I was somewhat worried by talk of the MkIV having problems.  
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Offline wagonmeister

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« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2004, 01:20:16 am »
Sorry Lamb, Im not so easily convinced.

Yesterday, a fellow GO Train commuter and I exited the train in Burlington in -30C cold.

I in my '96 Golf TD and her in her Jetta TDI. Hers fired up with a quick turn of the key. Mine fired up after a quick 10 seconds of glowplug heat.  The sharp clickety-clack of an ice-cold diesel in the bitter cold is music to my ears.

In preparation for the cold did you (in order of importance):

1. Replace your glowplugs? Every 3 years for me.
2. Add conditioner to your fuel? Stop at a Husky and get some.
3. Buy only winterized fuel? Ask the station owner or stick with the name brands.
4. Get your battery tested or replace it if its 5+ years old. Get one with high cold-cranking amps.
5. Switch to synthetic oil? Delvac 5w-40 for me, get it at Walmart.
6. Drain the water separator under the fuel tank?
7. Change your fuel filter? Should change it at 60,000KMs. I'm lazy and waited till 180,000KM, no water found.  

Go to tdiclub.com and learn (or ask) how to do all the above yourself. Don't rely on the dealer!

My next Golf will be an '05 or '06 Golf TDI-PD. 1200KMs per tank....bring it on!!
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Offline barrie1

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« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2004, 01:22:30 am »
Brian18t why do you have remove your battery so often? A new battery might just solve that or does the car sit for long periods of time. A 2001 car should still have a heck of a good battery in it, if not get another one and be carefull what you buy. That is a pretty short life span on a good batterey.
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Offline neil

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« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2004, 03:22:34 pm »
Batteries are pretty fickle.  Some will last 10 years, some only 6 months.  I'd be against replacing on a schedule, but regular testing should be done if cold weather reliability is essential like in a diesel.
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Offline brian18t

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« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2004, 03:47:58 pm »
barrie1,

Actually the battery was fine until this past week. I had to keep it outside and exposed in an area where the winds get pretty cold. It needed jumps from Tuesday until Thursday, when it was as dead as a doornail from then and wouldn't start at all. Judging by the problems so many other had this week I'm guessing the weather was more to blame than my battery.  
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Offline safristi

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« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2004, 03:51:16 pm »
Why not just keep it running ALL THE TIME like thefrickin'trucks and buses do!!!
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Offline brian18t

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« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2004, 10:13:00 pm »
You pay for the gas and I'll do it.
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Offline Brigitte

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2003 Golf GLS - Problems
« Reply #14 on: June 29, 2004, 09:22:28 pm »
Another dork that can't read.

NO ADVERTISING ON THIS SITE!  

I'm off to Grant's cubicle to rat the bugger out.

Brigitte

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Offline tdiheater

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« Reply #15 on: June 29, 2004, 09:26:21 pm »
THAT IS NOT ADVERTISING.

How can people get resolve to their questions, if they're not told the solution????????

Iamb2's question answered.

Brigitte, please don't 'advertise' to everyone you're off to Grant's cubicle.

I in no way went off topic, and did not start a topic saying: "Hey guys, check out my product....", it was a response to a question.



(Message edited by TDIHeater on June 29, 2004)
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Offline Brigitte

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« Reply #16 on: June 29, 2004, 09:32:00 pm »
Oh, here we go.  Blah, blah, blah.  Been there, done that.

Too late.  Done.

(Bye, bye, TDI.)

Brigitte

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Offline tdiheater

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« Reply #17 on: June 29, 2004, 09:35:39 pm »
Again....

How can people get resolve to their questions, if they're not told the solution????????  


Where's a good place to get quattro parts for a 1988 Audi 90 ?  Wait, don't tell anyone, we'll figure it out ourselves.

(Message edited by TDIHeater on June 29, 2004)
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Roadrunner

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2003 Golf GLS - Problems
« Reply #18 on: June 29, 2004, 11:40:35 pm »
Well group, looks like I (for one) have to disagree about this subject this time. I'll repeat what I said on the other thread, I wouldn't classify this as advertising.

Some we've seen are down right blatant about it, but I wouldn't say that is the case here.
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Offline elf_da

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« Reply #19 on: July 15, 2004, 11:15:59 pm »
Umm... I found that letting my 2003 VW Golf sit for more than 2 or 3 weeks (like over a long vacation) caused the battery to drain; I don't know if the older models do that... The dealership said it's not a bug, it's a feature. So I have to but a "trickle charger", which uses a solar panel. Anyone else annoyed by that?

Ah my little Elf mobile... why do you toy with me so?
~Elf Da
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