AUTO REPAIRS: THEN & NOW
Like it or not, your VW's are becoming more and more electronic devices. The good news is: It has allowed engineers to increase performance and efficiency at the same time. This feat is accomplished at a time when government emission and safety regulations continue to challenge them.
So you've got to have a basic understanding of how your car works to be able to evaluate your mechanic. STANDARD WARNING: If your mechanic keeps suggesting the replacement of parts and the problem is not being solved, he's lost, and you're on your own, anyway!
Buy a Bentley Service Manual (we sell them for all VWs!). If you desire even more in-depth information. We sell Bosch Technical Publications, also.
Remember, Volkswagen is a huge company worldwide, and Bosch, who makes most of the sophisticated stuff for VW, is huge also. They produce EXTREMELY reliable vehicles and systems.
Usually, electrical component failures are easy to fix, but difficult to diagnose (especially for the inexperienced). Once you have diagnosed the failed component, we can provide you with excellent RECYCLED components, off cars we have taken apart. We can solve your problem for a fraction of dealer's prices. On some items, we may suggest new or even remanufactured components as availability dictates.
We will ALWAYS! save you MONEY!
RELAYS
These little switching devices simply connect the current to the accessory calling for it. By having relays, more direct routing of current can be accomplished. The shorter the distance the electricidiad has to travel, the more efficient the electrical system is. Check the part number on the relay you need, and we'll sell you a replacement.
TECH/SAFETY TIP
Don't disable any safety mechanism that may be designed into the engine management system.
Don't spray injectors into open air when testing the vehicle. Finely atomized fuel spray is highly flammable and unhealthy to breathe.
Don't apply battery voltage directly to electronic port injectors to test them.
Don't remove or attach the wiring harness plug to the vehicle ECM with ignition on. Detach ECM plug before electric welding on vehicle.
ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE
These control modules, engine management, and anti-lock brakes, electronic transmissions, on-board computers, collect information, and respond with output in a pre-programmed manner. This pre-programming has given the engineers very precise control over vehicle systems. Changing this programming (after-market performance CHIPS) has given the modern Hot -Rodder a unique way to improve the vehicle's performance. But, not necessarily its longevity.
If a control module is malfunctioning, it can be a serious problem. We take the electronic components out of good-running vehicles, and sell them guaranteed to perform as new!
If you or your mechanic have diagnosed a faulty unit, call us with the part number right off the part and we'll get you a replacement quick, and at a great price!
All the water-cooled gas-powered VW® cars from '81-up use a Coolant Temp. Sensor to tell the fuel-injection computer what temperature the engine is running at. The sensor does this by sending the computer a resistance signal (in ohms) that changes with temperature. The computer then adjusts the amount of fuel sent to the engine based on this signal. The symptoms of a bad coolant temp. sensor can be: an engine that starts hard or misses when cold but runs fine when warm. Another symptom is an engine that loads up the spark plugs and runs rich for no apparent reason (ignition good). You can easily test these sensors with a simple ohm meter. The resistance values (ohms) are in the Bentley manual, and a new coolant temp. sensor is relatively inexpensive. You can even install it yourself. We have them new and used.. give us a call!
Sensor, 16V '86-92
#SN15519 . . . .$29.95
Sensor, Water neck G/J '83-84
#SN37818 . . . .$39.95
On Hose Connector Rabbit '81-84 and others (pipe with red connector)
#SN3057 . . . .$25.90
Golf/Jetta/Passat '93-99.5
4 Pin: (black/yellow)
#SN16802 . . . .$29.99
Sensor blue plastic 2 pin Most '88-94 Golf/Jetta/Passat
#SN13313 . . . .$19.95
Golf/Jetta/New Beetle/Passat '99-'05
4 pin Blue:
#SN18309 . . . .$19.95
4 pin Brown:
#SN17961 . . . .$42.95
VOLTAGE REGULATORS
The voltage regulator's duty is to make sure the current produced by your alternator is in the correct voltage range. The battery and other electronic components must communicate in the same language. Sometimes the contacts may break and cause the current to flow insufficiently. Call us if you need a voltage regulator we stock all types!!
(A) REPLACE with (C)
(B) #SN3023 . . . .$39.95
(C) #SN10138 . . . . $39.95
(D) VR 6 Golf/Jetta III, Passat, all '92-99.5 with VR 6 Engine
#SN17110 . . . . $49.95
(E) 4 cyl. Golf/Jetta III '93-99.5 with Valeo alternator, these are for 90 amps
#SN19996 . . . . $39.95
(F) All new Beetle, Golf/Jetta '99.5-04 with Bosch Alternator
#SN19997 . . . . $79.95
IGNITION MODULES
These ignition triggering devices are solid state, and, occasionally fail. If yours does, you won't be able to start your car. Call us with the part number on yours (they're usually located in the cowl area), and we'll get you back on the road quickly!! RECYCLED IN STOCK $60-$80
We De-mystify VW Repair.
Call Us for FREE Advice!!
