VW Golf
VW Golf questions and answers
Search with LemonFree.com for your next VW Golf; buying or selling a car online has never been easier.
Q: ...Vw Golf?
I'm in the market for a used car. I know I need a small car (due to my parking situation) and a hatch would be great. I'm particularly interested in a VW Golf nearby that has about 60k miles on it. I've heard some really great things about VWs and some really not great things... I was just wondering if the Golf is a good car, or not?
A: While overall a nice car, they have not been very reliable. Electrical problems and squeaks and rattles will likely surface. Repairs and maintenance are also on the pricey side. Parts can be hard to come by, and VW's often require special tools and software that only dealerships and mechanics specializing (and charging more) in VW's have. Overall a 2yr old VW is about as reliable as an 8 year old Toyota. The standard motor (the 1.8 turbo has had a lot of problems with ignition coils) is also a tad on the underpowered side, but not sure if that is important to you or not. Your best bet would be a Honda or Toyota, and maybe even a Subaru.
Q: What is the difference between a VW Golf and a VW Rabbit?
Is the Rabbit just a newer version of the old Golf? I had a 2004 Golf and really loved it. Until someone stole it. Now I drive a Pick-up and I'm thinking of going back to VW.
A: The Golf was just rebranded as the Rabbit for the US Market in 2006. So besides in name nothing.
Q: How do I bleed the rear brakes on my VW Golf?
I've got a pressurised bleeding kit which I used on my 1997 VW Golf. The front brakes bled fine but when I tried doing the rear no fluid came out. I even tried pumping the brake pedal but nothing came out. Do I have to do something special at the rear?
The only difference between front and rear is that the front bleed screw is part of the bleed nipple, but the back uses a separate alun key to open it.
A: If you opened the valve on the wheel cylinder with the allen key, you should've gotten a gush of fluid when you pressed the pedal, if not, you must've not gotten the bleed valve open.
Normally, brakes must all be bled, not just the rears/fronts/lefts/rights.
The sequence is from farthest to nearest the master cylinder location, usually RR,LR,RF, LF.
Good Luck!
Q: How much would a fuse for a sun roof on a VW Golf cost?
I tried to open the sunroof on my VW Golf and the fuse blew. I need a new one but don't know where to get it or how much it costs. Any help would be appreciated.
A: You get fuses at a parts store. They are usually in blister packs hanging on a wall in the lights dept. You can get a assortment for your car for about 3 or 4 dollars. Pick out the one you need and keep the package (it's small) in the glove box for the next time you need a fuse.
Q: How much luggage can I store in a VW GOLF 5 door trunk ?
I will be reting a VW Golf 5-door for traveling into Europe. Hpw much luggage can I expect to store in its trunk ?
A: A LOT. the rear and passenger seats fold down for extra space. my new jetta fits a lot, and the golf is even bigger.
Q: Where is the Reverse light switch in a VW Golf MK2?
I have a 1990 VW Golf mk2, and need to replace the reverse light switch. I cannot find where this is by reading my Haynes manual, although I have heard it is accessible either inside the car where the gear stick is or in the engine compartment at the gearbox.
Can anyone tell me where it is and if it is difficult to access?
A: If your vehicle is a manual vehicle the reverse switch will be on the gearbox housing with 2 wires running to it.
If you car is an automatic normally the reverse switch works off the gear select control
Q: How do i know which BHP version of the VW Golf GT TDI i have?
I recently bought a VW Golf from an independent dealer. They advertised it as a VW Golf GT TDI 130.
When i've been trying to get insurance, most companies think my car is the 150 version and others give me the option of selecting which it is, 130 or 150. The v5 doesn't reference the bhp figure.
The car looks quite low and strangely has silver GTI badges front and rear instead of TDI or GT TDI badges. It also has red sport seats.
Does anyone know how to tell for sure which version i have?
I meant to say it's a 52 plate
A: Hi Daniel,
I used to work for VW for 4 years as a tech and 2 years as a service advisor.
Here's the interesting bit...!
Officially VW badged up the Golf Gt Tdi 150BHP hatchback with a GTI turbo badge (silver GT and Red I) and on the Bora's they badged it with Complete red TDI.
They did muck about with the badges aswell, i.e. putting silver GTI badges and sometimes complete red tdi on the golf hatchbacks
Best way to confirm BHP and model of your vehicle is to look in the service book, there will be a sticker on the front page with lots of numbers on it, this tells the dealer everything about your specific car, from trim levels and colour to service regime, engine and gearbox. it should state on it the BHP or KW (power of that vehicle)
If this sticker is not in the service book, look underneath that carpet in the boot, round the outer rim of the spare wheel, there should be a sticker there too.
if it does not state the bhp or kw then go to a vw dealer or phone them with the engine code, they can tell you from that.
There is another way to tell too but it starts to get a bit technical. if you lift up the engine cover, if its a 150BHP then there will be a big black plastic intercooler pipe running straight past the oil filter casing. this is because the 150's have a bigger turbo and the 130's don't have this intercooler pipe...
If you cant find any stickers and dont wanna look under the bonet, phone VW up and give them the Reg number, they can bring up the information on a dialoge system, this will state the engine code's and the BHP, if the vehicle has had a plate change or its an import then give them the chassis number, they should get it from that.
The GTI TDI 150's came standard with 16inch Montreal alloys and the 130's came standard with 15inch avus alloys, this is not to say that they havnt been changed or upgraded though. see below link for standard 150's alloys.
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/reviews/Review.aspx?model=1031
I also belive that 150's came standard with a Leather / Wood / chrome gear knob and the 130's just a standard leather one. once again this isnt to say its been changed or upgraded.
Actually to drive these vehicle's standard you wont notice much difference at all.
When you mention about the red sports seats, all of the GT TDI's have these, even the 115BHP tdi's.
Hope this helps mate,
Q: How to change a vanity bulb in a Vw Golf MK4?
I've been googling for days now and I can't find a way in which to change the vanity light (that's the little light that comes on when you drop down the sun visor in a car) in a VW Golf MK4. Anyone?
A: The casing should snap off and on. Get a flat edged item to work as a lever then change it snap back on
Q: How much is my '95 VW Golf Turbo Diesel worth?
It is a 1995 M reg VW Golf Turbo Diesel 1.9 engine in very good condition and about 96k miles on the clock. It is the 5 door CL model with MOT and TAX. I cant get an accurate valuation from Parkers website as they do not provide valuations for cars older than 1997. Also, can you suggest the best place to sell my car based on your own experiences? Thanks
A: its worth about £850-1000, sell it on autotrader.co.uk or just go and view the site to get ideas about prices etc....
Q: How can I tell if my 1988 VW Golf is MK1 or MK2?
I just bought a 1988 VW Golf. Is there any place that I can find out if it is a MK1 or MK2?
A: You might run the VIN at Carfax.com. You don't have to pay to get the basic info.
Q: How do i replace a leather gear gaiter on a vw golf mk4?
i am trying to replace my leather gear gaiter on a vw golf mk4, how do i get it off. how do i remove the gear knob?
A: What 2nd poster said. You can also use a plastic zip tie to secure new gaiter, or a metal hose clamp if you don't feel like crimping.
Q: I'm buying a 95 VW Golf is this a good deal and are there any known issues with them?
I'm thinking about buying a 95 VW Golf for $800 but it has 195k on a gas engine with a 5spd manual trans and it needs new tires, a blower motor for the heater and rear struts. Is this a good deal?
Also are there any known major issues with these cars. eg. GMs are known for having faulty bearings. Thanks for the help.
A: This car is prone for having problems with the transmission in the manual and auto variety. The manual trans mostly has problems with the reverse syncro/gear mesh. When backing up you will here a rattling, kinda crunching whine, or it will just skip while reversing. Also these early A3 body VW's had issues with the wiring harness under the hood with regards to contacts and grounds.
Q: Where can I buy a key for my VW Golf Trek rack?
I purchased a 97 VW Golf Trek with a bike rack on it that looks like the original owner never even touched it. They did not have a key. Does anyone know where I can find one?
A: Well if it is from VW try your VW dealer. If it a thule or yakima call the company and see what they say. If you can't figure out who made it you will prolly need someone to cut it off. If you really don't want to cut it off, try looking around ebay for a model that looks like yours and maybe you will find a key there.
Q: what does the lambda valve sensor on my VW golf do?
ive got a vw golf mrk 3 and the car seems to be missing when its ticking over. would the lambda valve be the problem?
A: The Lambda probe measures the oxygen level in the exhaust fumes and signal is sent to ECU (engine control unit) which then adjusts ignition timing to keep this at a specific level. Also the Lambda probe regulates the valve to help the ECU keep the oxygen level.
This is one way of getting the optimised combustion in your engine. There are other ways of doing this.
With regards to your little problem, you better let a mechanic have a look if it bothers you. It could be an array of different things causing your engine to misfire when idle.
However, if your fuel consumption is OK and engine running smooth when driving then why not save yourself a few pennies and wait till the next service comes up.
Q: Is it legal to take the Emblem off my VW golf in New jersey?
I have seen it alot around, but i want to know, is is legal to "debadge" my car, meaning taking off the golf, and the VW emblem off the back of the car. Please dont ask why, its just a tuner thing. Please, Cops, etc.. someone experience, thanks guys.
A: Do what you want. It's perfectly legal to remove it. If you want, you could even put a BMW emblem on your car.
What would be illegal is if you put the BMW emblem on, then tried to claim that it IS a BMW when you sell it.
If you are leasing, then you have to return it to original condition before turning it in.