From: eldred@rrunner.jpl.nasa.gov (Dan Eldred)
Subject: Re: Cabriolet info and assistance
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 17:24:55 GMT

In article <4089@winnie.fit.edu> karin@zach.fit.edu (Karin Nicholson) writes:
>This is a dual purpose post: 1) To inform you of the 7 years of headaches
>I have had with my 1985 Cabriolet 2) Request assistance (help!) with
>the new mysteries.  I have read this group on and off since it started
>and have seen a few of these problems come up.
>Please E-Mail even if you post, as my system cleans house too often too
>catch all posts.
>
>History: All regular maintenance done on time, by VW mechanics.
>
>   Under warranty in first 2 years and 25,000 miles:
>Needed alignment when bought; reset timing belt, fuel pump replaced,
>cruise control repaired twice, pressure diaphragm replaced to stop stalling,
>replaced shift lever twice, replaced motor mount at 21,000 miles, 
>repaired left turn signal twice, replaced radio three times, replaced 
>compressor, restitched seams on top, and replaced clutch.
>
>   After warranty, next five years to 70,000 miles:
>Replaced axle boots, cleaned clogged AC drain, replaced front right strut 
>and wheel bearings, replaced gas pedal sleeve, replaced rear
>brake cylinders, AC fuse melted twice due to drag of fan in max speed,
>replaced leaky windshield gasket, replaced AC relay due to clicking noise,
>replaced clutch cable, replaced engine mount second time at 58,000 miles
>repaired shift linkage after it lost first and second gear (previous repair
>had assembled it improperly), replaced AC fan switch, replaced master brake 
>cylinder, replaced leaking trans axle seal, replaced front left wheel bearing,
>steering wheel shaft race bearing holder broke in half - hose clamp keeps
>the bearing in shaft now, repacked driver seat cushion, and replaced shifter
>linkage rubber gaskets. Interior plastic parts all cracking. Muffler has 
>holes. Side windows broken twice, stereo stolen. Top cut and steering wheel 
>stolen!
>
Holy smoke!!!  My '84 Rabbit with 165,000 miles has been very reliable,
save a problem that required a new head at 100,000 miles.  Other than that,
all repairs have been pretty routine (brake pads, water pumps, struts--
things like that).

>New Problems:
>
> 1. The radiator fan does not shut off when I turn the engine off. I 
>    unplugged the fan, but it stills runs when I plug it back in, when 
>    the engine is cold. What broke and how do I replace it? Lately I 
>    have been running without out it plugged in and the temp stays at
>    110C. Is this a bad idea?

The fan is triggered by a temperature sensor in the radiator, which quits
after it gets corroded.  Mine still works, probably because I use
distilled water in the radiator and change it once a year, but that probably
doesn't make you feel any better.
>
> 3. Odometer/Tripometer does not work after the sun comes up! How does the
>    sun cause this?
The old VDO speedometer problem.  There's a small plastic gear which cracks
and then slips on its shaft.  Gets worse with temperature.  Needs replacement.
>
> 4. Original main fuel pump was replaced after 6 months, which was replaced
>    on recall recently. However, I still have a 5-year old humming noise 
>    coming from the rear, and is getting louder. One person told me it is a 
>    pre-pump in the gas tank. Is this noise normal and will it give any 
>    warning signs before it dies?
It starts drawing excess current, which tends to weld the contacts together
on the fuel pump relay.  When this happens the pump stays on after the car
is turned off.
>
> 5. Brake lights do not work, needs new switch.
This may be the adjustment.  Poke your head under the dash (you may need
to remove the panel under the dash--easy) to see the switch.  The switch
is easily replaced if you need one, but, again, I guess it's incorrectly
adjusted.

Again, I'm amazed at the problems you've had.