2003 New Beetle 1.6L running rough

**Lucas_R** · 14-10-2013, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by jarredking

anyone?

I have VCDS and am in Newcastle but not sure if my version of VCDS (as their are several types) will work on a 2003 Beetle. The oldest VW ive used it on is my friends 2007/08 Golf GTI.

Its worth a try though if you want. Providing it communicates with your car, i will be able to run a scan of the ECU to read the error codes its stored which will give you a pretty clear indication of what the issue could be.

**tigger73** · 14-10-2013, 08:56 AM

You'll need a Hex-can not a micro-can cable to talk to the new beetle.

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**Lucas_R** · 14-10-2013, 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by tigger73

You'll need a Hex-can not a micro-can cable to talk to the new beetle.

^ yeh that's what i thought. I cant remember which version i have - will have to check tonight.

**jarredking** · 14-10-2013, 09:23 AM

thanks let me know because i am booking in tomorrow with VW and they are charging me $80 just to plug scanner in!

**Lucas_R** · 14-10-2013, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by jarredking

thanks let me know because i am booking in tomorrow with VW and they are charging me $80 just to plug scanner in!

And to think i was only going to charge you $75......i need to put my prices up

$80 for a diagnosis isnt bad, at least they will have the right tool for the job, im not sure if the one i have will work on cars older than the Mk5 era which was 2005 or so. Anyway, ill have a look tonight at which version i have and ill let you know.

**Lucas_R** · 15-10-2013, 08:45 AM

My cable is HEX+CAN according to its label, which means that it "should" be able to communicate with your car. Mind you, i have never used it on anything older than a 2007/08 model Golf - so there is a possibility that it may not work.

Might be a safer bet to just pay $80 and get the VW dealer to scan it. Another option is European Car Centre at Wickham who would be able to scan it for you.

PM me if you want to discuss further.

**jarredking** · 06-12-2013, 07:18 AM

latest with this car is volkswagen cannot fix it, they say there is nothing wrong with the car.

There IS definately a problem with the car. from what i have read it could be a coolant sensor. car runs fine when the blue cold engine light IS NOT on.

Can i somehow trick the car to thinking its warm all the time?

**Umai Naa!!** · 06-12-2013, 10:00 AM

Could be the air mass sensor.

They won't throw a code when they play up.

**Lucas_R** · 06-12-2013, 10:06 AM

The issue sounds very similar/same as something my old Nissan 200sx used to do when it was cold.

If you started it up (cold start) in the morning and drove down the street on very light throttle and low revs, it would misfire (just at a particular level of load and RPM) for mabye 30-45 seconds until the engine got a bit warmer and then it went away.

Did it every time on a cold engine if you got the revs/load at the right spot. Once warm the car ran perfectly fine and never had a single issue with it. I tried and tried to find what was causing the misfire, but after changing various sensors (o2 sensor/cam sensor etc) as well as the ignition coils, spark plugs, fuel filter etc.....i ended up giving up as nothing made it go away.

I ended up putting it down to a "characteristic" of that car. It was a little bit annoying to me because i am fussy, but it never caused any issues what so ever to the car.