VW Passat

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2003 VW Passat

2003 VW Passat questions and answers

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Q: How expensive, or hard is it to change the oil pan on a 2003 VW Passat?
Also, will my extended warranty cover it? When I bought it the dealer said something about his friend blah blah blah, same problem but her engine blew, if she had the warranty she would have been protected. My friend borrowed my car so she could screw around on her bf, and when I got it back it was screwed up. She busted the oil pan.

A: the pan will be $75-$100, one hour of labor at most shops. so, probably about $200 out the door. its a bolt on but it can be tricky since youd have to drain the oil, get messy, etc...

Q: I have a 2003 VW passat and the glove box light stays on constantly. How do I fix this?
It doesn't seem to matter if the car is on or off the light is always on. I would imagine there is a switch somewhere that shuts it off, but I can't find it. I'm worried this little bulb is going to kill my battery before to long. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Alex Ok removed the offending bulb it's actually a pretty complex switch mechanisim that was malfunctioning. I'll have to take it to a dealer to have them look at it. Thanks

A: I don't have a real answer, except to suggest if nothing else you could just remove the bulb to eliminate the drain on your battery.

Q: I have a VW Passat 2003 USA model the engine light keeps coming on can anyone tell me of common problems.?
Can anyone tell me of common problems with an American VW Passat 2003 model which causes the engine check light to keep coming on and can anyone tell me where to find the plug for the code reader to plug into.

A: the plug thing is right in the middle..just under the radio and near the gear stick there should be a little black latch that lift off and thats where the computer plugs into

Q: VW 2003 Passat Headlights?
I have a manual 2003 VW passat and one of my headlights went out. what type of headlight do i need. what is the number and brand?

A: H3, I believe it would be a 5004. Replace them in pairs. If you want better light output, get Sylvania Silverstars.

Q: So i am going to be getting a 2003 VW Passat. anyone who has one tell me how you like it?
So i just turned 16 and i am going to be getting my dad's 2003 VW V6 passat. i just wanted to know who everyone likes that model. or just what you think of the car. any info is very helpfull to me.

A: The most important thing on the Passat is that the timing belt, tensioners/pulleys & water pump get replaced before it hits 75,000 miles. They will fail, and if either one of those do fail, you will be faced with about $5,000 in repairs. They must be replaced all at the same time. It is a great solid car but it is not a Toyota or a Honda. Maintenance must not be neglected. It will poop in your lunch pail if you don't take care of it.

Q: I have a 2003 VW Passat and want to change my own Oil. I have the 1.8 T Engine, is this a pretty straight up ?
Is the Filter a nightmare to get to? Do I have to remove anything to get to the filter? Should I just pay the $45 and go to Jiffy Lube?

A: Whatever you decide to do, you must use the correct oil in the motor: this means a synethnic oil like Mobil 1 European formula and a high quality oil filter. You can get the Mobil 1 at Walmart for under $6.00 a quart, probably the cheapest you'll find it at. Don't buy a $2 oil filter for the car; a good filter like a Mann (also used by VW as original equipment) or the like is best. When you change the filter, also replace the drain plug gasket; this will help seal the plug and generally prevent overtightening of the plug... too many times people keep reusing the drain plug gasket and eventually strip the threads or damage the oil pan by overtightening the plug. A good synethnic oil change around the San Francisco area with the correct oil will usually run more than $50, dealerships charge anywhere from $70 up around here. If you change the oil yourself, don't throw the oil into the sewer system, in most areas of the country its hazardous waste and you can be fined a large amount of money. Take the waste oil to an authorized collection location. On balance, I usually recommend that most people pay to have the oil changed; the materials alone will cost you at least $30 or more, plus your time and getting rid of the waste oil and filter are a hassle. I'd don't change my oil myself anymore; its too much hassle to save $10-15. Hope this helps, a car nut.

Q: How can I turn off the passenger side airbag in a 2003 VW Passat?


A: Have a look in the glovebox to see if there is a lock in there. If there is this shouls allow you to use the car's key to switch the passenger side airbag system off.

Q: 2003 VW Passat Engine Fan Making Noise?
My 2003 VW Passat Engine Fan is Making Noise. At least I THINK it's the engine fan - it's against the grill of the car facing the engine and making an aweful lot of noise. It sounds kinda like a mix between rattling and scraping. My 2003 VW Passat Engine Fan is Making Noise. At least I THINK it's the engine fan - it's against the grill of the car facing the engine and making an aweful lot of noise. It sounds kinda like a mix between rattling and scraping. Any ideas at to what it may be and how much it could cost to fix?

A: Could be the mounts are loose or broken and the fan is hitting something that it shouldn't, or the motor's bearings are going bad, or the fan may have a broken blade or ring that is throwing the whole thing off balance and scraping the edge of the enclosure. There may also be something stuck in there, like paper or something. Look to see if you see anything. Most probable fix is to replace the fan assy., but can only guess at the problem and fix without seeing it. Don't know what it would cost. Best to call around and get a few estimates after taking it somewhere to have it looked at. Most places should be able to check it out without costing anything. Best of luck.

Q: Have a 2003 vw passat, 4cyl., engine turns but car will not start, 45,000 miles. What could it be?


A: Every car needs three main but basic items to start: fuel, good compression and spark. Check for fuel delivery rate to the injectors, also look for spark at the plug tip if present. It could be that the starter motor turns relatively too slow?check for battery strength and voltage drop on the starter circuit. Has there been any recent cylinder head repairs? Re-check the engine and camshaft timing marks if they align correctly.If all the above seem to be ok, then I will suggest you visit a dealer for complete diagnostic check with a scan tool as this car has numerous electronic sensors and actuators and each of them, when faulty could cause such problems.Good luck!

Q: Is a split CV boot on a 2003 VW Passat 1.8T S/W manual shift with 36000 miles covered under warranty?
The standard warranty covers 4 years and 50000 miles

A: i own a repair shop,and i think it might be,,but one thing to consider is there going to look at this as a moving part and it may not be covered by the warranty,but id try it ,they might actually cover it,,if you drive it much longer it will need a new joint in it,, if has been busted for a while because it will sling all the grease out of it,and ruin it,and then it will fall out of it for sure,,id call them and find out real soon because a CV joint wont last long with out grease in it,,good luck i hope this help,s.

Q: How to drain a fuel tank in VW Passat (2003)?
It's a diesel car and I am afraid that diesel I used last time wasn't good quality. Just to be on safe side. Is there a way I could do it, because I couldn't stick a syphon in... There is something there preventing syphon to go deep enought... Thanks.

A: Working at the local VW garage, On a 2003 passat to drain the tank safely, 1- remove rear bench seat. 2- undo fuel pump cover with three cross head screws 3- undo the big plastic ring that locks the pumop down into the fuel tank 4- make sure to mark whichdirection the fuel pumpis resting in the tank then lift carefully out of position 5- you should now be able to easy access the fuel tank. From here we used a hand driven pump and suck the fuel out. If you have a hose, (as when you syphon from the filler neck), you can now syphon the fuel from here.

Q: will bmw alloys fit onto a vw 2003 passat?
for example, i wish to increase the width of the wheel without sacrificing profile height or increasing to "18, bmw have a stock alloy on the new 5-series which is 225/55/16 i have found this size of wheel very hard to find from aftermarket, will these fit on my 2003 vw passat? or have you got any other suggestions from other manufactuers that might have a similar fitment, that would have the same fitment?

A: No, sorry. BMW pcd is 120mm, VW is 112. Audi will fit, Ford Galaxy, old Scorpio or Granada, and interestingly ANY Merc.

Q: How do you change 2003 VW Passat headlight switch ?


A: Put the switch in the 'Off' position and slowly turn it right to the 'on' position while pushing in with some force (don't be scared). It while stop about half way, and be recessed into the switch housing. This disengages the locks and enables you to simply pull out the whole switch assembly from the dashboard. After you pull the whole thing out remove the cable harness from the back. To install, just put the harness on the switch assembly and pop into the hole in the dashboard. It will lock automatically.

Q: 2003 VW Passat, ABS and ASR light come on?
My 2003 VW Passat, ABS and ASR light come on, some time the red Brake light flash and goes, on the manual only say bring car to dealer. What is wrong?

A: could be wheel speed sensor or something as easy as a brake light switch. see the dealer

Q: I have a 2003 VW Passat with Bose Speaker. Thinking about replacing with kicker ks600. Which is better?
I have a Monsoon radio and Bose speakers. Is my kickers ks600's better?

A: The factory Bose system also has a separate amp, you will get poor sound quality if you dont replace the whole system, they are all matched, new head unit, new amp, and new speakers, even then you are unlikely to get better sound than the factory setup unless you want to spend 3-4 grand