QuestionQUESTION: Just got this car, has 67000 miles on it. It wouldn't start unless you towed it (manual transmission) so replaced the relay that was under the dash. It now starts with clutch pushed in (wouldnt' before) Now the mirrors, windows, sunroof, radio and interior lights don't work. The keyless entry doesn't work (replaced batteries). The power door locks do something; the knob goes up and down on the passenger side. Nothing moves on the driver side but you can hear it clicking. Any ideas? One problem or many?
ANSWER: Hi Frank;
There could be 2 things happening here, but I'd direct you to begin with 1, that really should be 2 by the time you get in there. First replace the drivers door latch...kind of a gnarly job, but if the interior lights do not come on when the door is opened, it is necessary, otherwise the alarm will set when you don't want it to, and not set when you want it to. While you are there, and since the entire door has to be dismantled, you might as well replace the "window clips," and the cable assembly that goes to the window regulator. If you don't have the money, or the time for the window clips, then just do the latch. The job is complicated, and involved. However, there are some very good diagrams, and concise instructions in "Bentley's" manual for your car.
Finally, relating to the keyless entry, the programming of the remote can be done if you have another key that is programmed to the immobilizer in the instrument cluster, but it needs to be done after the latch is fixed. Put the second key in the ignition, and turn it on. Put the remote key in the door lock, turn the lock to lock, and push the lock button on the remote. You will hear a beep. To try the remote, you need to then remove the key from the ignition, and close the drivers door. Then hit the button on the remote. It should be programmed, especially after you hear the beep.
Also, finally, the comfort module might be bad, so if you do have the money to do the "clips" get the window motor for the drivers door at the same time. Unfortunately, without a VAGCOM, or VAS 5052 you won't know what the door module in the window motor is "coded" to. Without coding it is pointless to attempt this portion on your own. If you do have access to a Volkswagen specific scan tool, the part number of the comfort module will be in the upper right corner of the screen, and the coding will be listed there labeled "coding." That's it. One final test of the comfort module....turn the key in the door lock with the door closed, to the open position, and hold it. If the windows go down, the module is probably OK, and if you then turn the key to lock, and hold it again, the windows should roll up. If they do the module is, once again, probably OK. But, if neither of these features work, it is definitely a comfort module problem. The drivers door lock is attached to the solenoid that drives it by a slender metal rod. If it is bent funny, or broken, or out of the locking end on the solenoid you will hear the solenoid actuate, but no result will be seen at the lock. The highest probability for that is the nylon lock rod "ferule" is missing, mis-installed, or broken. When you have the door apart to do the latch, you have to take this apart anyway, so you will then see what is going on.
Hope this helps, Frank.. Good luck.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for the info. I tried the key in the door and the windows go up and down as they should. Still don't have power windows in the usual way, still no radio, power mirrors or moonroof.
AnswerOK Frank;
The radio is a separate issue. It is it's own computer, or ECM, and it has a serial number that is on the case of the radio, and looks like...VWZ9Z7G1899980. The radio should turn on, and say SAFE. Then the display should change to "1000." If not then the radio is broken too. If it does go to "1000," the code is available from your local Volkswagen dealer, as long as you have the radio serial number, and the VIN number of the car.
Since the windows go up and down when the key is held in the lock, that means one good thing, and that is the lock, and the attendant micro-switch are in tact, and operational. They are parts you don't have to buy. With no power mirrors, no moonroof, and still no real window operation I am left with the conclusion that the comfort module which is in the drivers door window motor, are broken, or inoperative. The biggest hurdle, as I see it is to get the right coding. A Volkswagen specific scan tool is necessary for this. Otherwise you can spend all your money, and all your time, and still be no further along. It kind of stinks that the comfort module is responsible for so many things, but that's the way it's designed, and we have to live with it. Still though, do the lights come on when you open the door? The latch may still be necessary. I would replace that before I started messing with the comfort module. At least you don't have to replace the door lock too.
Thanks for the follow up. Send another message to me tomorrow, and let me know what the door latch does when you open the door. Do the lights come on?
