Mk III TDI

[yowie]

Yes, finally got around to buying in parts and pulling the handle, after buying vaseline and new pliers just in case.
Turns out it is a simple paddle with a hook and spring.
I this case the hook broke off.
Luckily it left a bit of hook in the hole so the spring stayed in place which is why the key was returning to vertical all the time.
That has also meant the spring stayed on the lock instead of falling inside the bottom of the door.

Not so luckily, the hook I ordered is too big to go in the hole/ring bit on the end of the barrel.
I was careful to tell the parts ppl which year model I had as there are two hook and loop sizes.
It would be good to know which is which in terms of models.
So, whether I have a replacement lock already and need the younger hook, or a later model hook.
Monday will tell.
Once I have the right size hook, should be a pretty simple fix. I am not looking forward to replacing an entire barrel, that looks like more hours than I can concentrate

[yowie]

Good news.
Got my hands on a Tooleys lock kit and replaced the whole thing.

I was very hesitant when I saw the barrel and the seven little keys and matching teeny springs.
Worked a charm once I found a prising tool to get the seven tiny key springs out of the lock.
And petroleum jelly is great for lubing and keeping it all together while you go.
The kit included the bigger new hook, so all good. I will get another for the passenger door.

There is a helpful youtube here- VW A3 MK3 Golf Cabrio Door Lock Repair DIY - YouTube
And also a helpful thread in here that hasn''t had a post since 2008.

If following Youtube man, watch for the fudge while fitting the last bigger spring to the hook, that is the spring that holds the hook and paddle out straight. I struggled for ages trying to assemble it as he suggested.
Then I noticed the spring has ground ends and was able to thread it around the hook after I had inserted the hook into the loop.
The Youtube clip shows the hook being inserted with the spring already in place.
But he also cuts the video so you don't see how they actually go together

[yowie]

Hello VW Watercooled, So another six months and all good, until today.
Wouldnt start in the cold. Battery is new-ish.
Sometimes the after-market turbo-timer acts up and needs neutralising. (Process is to turn the motor off, hit the turbo timer zero switch, and start up.)

Low oil, really low, after a country trip. Go buy Penrite Enviro+ ,505. 504-507, 5W-30 ($82 Supercheap, not,) in case that is the reason.
No dice.

So, I chickened-out and called the roadside assist mechanics (RACQ). They isolated the turbo-timer, but that made no difference.
The engine starts and runs about 3 seconds and then cuts out.
This is the same way the turbo-timer plays up.
So unless a brainwave intervenes, we are getting it towed to local garage.
Any suggestions would be very welcome.
Cheers, Yowie

[Gigitt]

immobilizer?

VCDS scan would be good.

[yowie]

immobilizer?

VCDS scan would be good.

Immobilizer would fit, thanks Gigitt. I guess we will see.
I dont have access to VCDS and assume they/it wont be cheap- I dont have the laptop either .
I guess thats what garages are for.

[yowie]

Gigitt, thanks for the suggestion.
It was the chip in the key.
Car started first go when I tried it with the spare key which is the factory one.
Back to the random local key cutter to see what, if anything, he has to say.

[yowie]

In the interests of keeping my silly questions in the one place...
Yesterday I was using the Mk 3 to launch a boat. Diesel pulled it easily on the 8-1 ramp. However at the time there were people standing between car and trailer and I couldnt move it, a wake wave came by and submerged the rear axle.
I hosed underneath as its a salt river, and noticed the S/S muffler for the first time.

Question is, do I need to pull the rear wheel bearings or are they sealed well enough?
I have read the manual and they look closed in but any more intelligent views are very welcome.
Is there anything else needs servicing as a result, aside from my brain?
Thanks in advance.