Volkswagen Repair: 1995 Volkswagen Jetta Security System, oil pressure sending unit, volkswagen jetta


Question
Hi, I have a 1995 Jetta III with 85000 miles. It has the two litre motor. I just bought the car and I will try to be descriptive as possible. I believe that the problem that I have has to deal with the factory security system but could also be related to any sort of wiring malfunction or bad ground. Currently the air bag light is on all the time. Also, the oil light comes on with the annoying ding that it makes when driving in town(its not low on oil I check it pretty much daily right now.) If I punch the gas it shuts off and usually stays off. The major problem that I have is the emergency lights just randomly come on with the horn honking. The person I bought the car from pulled the fuse to the horn cause he was annoyed with the noise. In order to get the alarm to go off you have to pull over, shut the car off, get out, lock then unlock the doors and it shuts off. Normally I will make it the remainder of the drive without it going off again but most of the time it does it again after a while. I really hope that you can shed any light on the situation because the dealership wants $150 just to diagnose it. Also, I have read of people pulling the factory system and then not being able to start their car. Thanks so much for any help.

Answer
Hi Travis;
It is the drivers door latch.  It needs to be replaced.  The oil light is because either the oil pressure sending unit is bad, or because the oil pickup screen is clogged.  I'd try the oilpressure sending unit first.  Cheap, and easy.  It's the round part on top of the filter/cooler housing with only one wire going to it.  If that doesn't clear the problem with the oil light up permanently, then the pickup screen in the oil pan is clogged.  More time more expense.  As afr as the factory secuirty system goes, you can circumvent the entire system, but I can't remember all the details off the top of my head.  There is a relay under the dash, and there is a switch(?)/connector(?) under the mesh at the base of the windshield, on the drivers side of the car.  Look into the system by doing a little research in the "Bentley's" repair manual.  They are available most places at your local library.  Check it out, and I'll bet you acn fix it without the expense, or the time necessary to repair the door latch...they are expensive, and a really BIG job.  Good luck, Travis.  I hope I've helped a little bit.