Issues! (not VR6 specific)

[Jace]

I've been settling into the car and have been noticing small problems here and there.
On the plus side, all the things that commonly fault are working fine (sorta).
Onto the negatives.
Advise me, or theorize with me about how to solve these problems.

Power Windows
The issue I have with these are that the front switch doesn't operate the rear/rhs window, nor does the turn-the-key-in-the-door-lock trick.
But as my intoxicated friend made apparent to me yesterday, the motor does in fact slide the window down just fine.
Apparently he held the switch in the down position, and used his greasy/sticky hand to wipe the window downwards.
I've tested it out, and it seems to work from the rear switch now, but still wont work from the front switch or the door lock.
I will the take the switch section of the dash apart and clean the contacts in the switches (hopefully it's as simple as what my experience tells me).
???

Front Seats
My seats are rattly and loose, almost as if they're not fixed down properly.
They are also super stiff to slide forwards and backwards.
It wasn't totally obvious how to remove these (when I looked it was dark).
Are these easy to remove, lubricate and tighten up?
???

Steering Wheel/Column
My steering wheel has forward and backward play in it. 1cm at the most, but it's annoying me. It also fouls on the housing for the wiper/indicator stalks (or a little further down the column) and makes a scratching noise when turning. Super annoying.
???

Wiper Stalk
The problem with this is that if I wipe the rear windows (by pushing the whole stalk forward) is sets itself to intermittent and won't turn off unless I turn the ignition totally off, then restart.
As well as that, the front wiper settings are all touchy and annoying. If I just want to wipe the front once, it usually clicks onto '1' unless I am super careful and pay more attention to my fingers than the road. Both that, and the indicator stalks, are sort of crunchy (in that they make a crunching noise when I move them either forwards or backwards)
I'm hoping this isn't going to be worn down sensors or anything annoying.
???

Other Little Stuff
Lots of rattles and vibrations, mostly coming from the doors I think.
I will hopefully get around to pulling them apart and seeing what's what.

There's a small panel missing from the dash, right underneath the rear window switches. It has a large plug poking out of it. It seems to be aftermarket, because it doesn't actually recess behind the forward most part of that section of the dashboard/console (too big to just put a simple cover over). I get the feeling that it's to do with a handsfree phone kit.

Small microphones, which are obviously parts of a phone kit.
They are in the corner where the 'A' pillars meet the dashboard.
I'll get a picture of these, as well as the mystery plug and missing cover on the dash tomorrow if I remember to.
Best way to remove these (small screws into the pillars )



I thought I'd ask the questions before I start ripping things apart.
Warn me, or help me out in any way you can. Money's tight as at the moment, so I don't want to replace anything unless I absolutely have to.
I'm pretty good with DIY stuff. I work for a plastics company too, so fixing broken tabs or whatever is a breeze for me.

Jace.

[wont bother with pictures because you know what I'm talkin' bout]

[A Man Eating Duck]

This maybe the fix for the scratching noise problem with turning your wheel.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=35089

[rayray086]

Front Seats
My seats are rattly and loose, almost as if they're not fixed down properly.
They are also super stiff to slide forwards and backwards.
It wasn't totally obvious how to remove these (when I looked it was dark).
Are these easy to remove, lubricate and tighten up?
???

May have been removed once and not mounted down properly on the front slider. I had a similar problem and thought it was the slider guides wearing out but it wasn't.

To take the seats out, slide the seat as far forward as you can. Pop off the seat rail covers from the back. Then slide the seat as far back as you can. Pop the holder off (small oblong tabbed shape), it's at the front slider bit under the seat. Then slide the seat out. If the plastic guides on the seat rails look worn, or have very little grease, apply some. Use those bearing type grease, not WD40 lube spray.

Wiper Stalk
The problem with this is that if I wipe the rear windows (by pushing the whole stalk forward) is sets itself to intermittent and won't turn off unless I turn the ignition totally off, then restart.

Haha yeah it's a confusing system and even til now I still don't know how it works. All I know is that to use the rear wiper once, push the stalk forward twice before it finishes. That way it only wipes the rear window once and stops. But if I push on it once, I don't know how to stop it again either!

As well as that, the front wiper settings are all touchy and annoying. If I just want to wipe the front once, it usually clicks onto '1' unless I am super careful and pay more attention to my fingers than the road. Both that, and the indicator stalks, are sort of crunchy (in that they make a crunching noise when I move them either forwards or backwards)
I'm hoping this isn't going to be worn down sensors or anything annoying.
???

I can press the stalk down just a little bit and it'll wipe once without clicking into position. This is the same with my sister's Polo. I don't know about that crunchy thing with your indicator stalk though. My stalks are pretty stiff and does take more effort to put it into position compared to a Corolla as an example, but that's what I like about it.

Other Little Stuff
Lots of rattles and vibrations, mostly coming from the doors I think.
I will hopefully get around to pulling them apart and seeing what's what.

Welcome to Mk3 ownership For what it's worth, I've Dynamat my front two doors and it has helped with rattles as well as for sound. I've grown to ignore them though.

There's a small panel missing from the dash, right underneath the rear window switches. It has a large plug poking out of it. It seems to be aftermarket, because it doesn't actually recess behind the forward most part of that section of the dashboard/console (too big to just put a simple cover over). I get the feeling that it's to do with a handsfree phone kit.

That's the diagnostic port. Hit up a wrecker to find that piece. It slides out to the right once you have the cigarette tray out.

Small microphones, which are obviously parts of a phone kit.
They are in the corner where the 'A' pillars meet the dashboard.
I'll get a picture of these, as well as the mystery plug and missing cover on the dash tomorrow if I remember to.
Best way to remove these (small screws into the pillars )

I got those too, but I think they're to do with the factory security system? Mine never had that package from the factory but I still have those microphone looking things anyway. I've taken them out since, and my car doesn't miss them (nor I).

[V®6]

Haha yeah it's a confusing system and even til now I still don't know how it works. All I know is that to use the rear wiper once, push the stalk forward twice before it finishes. That way it only wipes the rear window once and stops. But if I push on it once, I don't know how to stop it again either!

I think with the rear wiper it's just a matter of push the stalk once to start it, push it once again to stop it.

[VisionaryVr6]

I think with the rear wiper it's just a matter of push the stalk once to start it, push it once again to stop it.

thats how mine works

[Jace]

Jeez, looks like I didn't think hard enough about the rear wiper.
Thanks Ray and other guys.

[rayray086]

I think with the rear wiper it's just a matter of push the stalk once to start it, push it once again to stop it.

Learn something everyday! Will try that out.

[coons88]

There is also adjustable intermittent wipe which I find to be very handy.
My friends Mk3 had a 'crunching' wiper stalk similar to how you describe, then it went floppy before finally jamming in neutral a few weeks after the problem started. Had to swap it out for a 2nd hand stalk, not that big a job

[Soundofav6]

I still dont know how to Stop the rear wiper !

fast Click once it still continues ( nothing )
Holding on the click water starts spraying and goes in to fast wiping action.
I just switch the engine off.

[VisionaryVr6]

I still dont know how to Stop the rear wiper !

fast Click once it still continues ( nothing )
Holding on the click water starts spraying and goes in to fast wiping action.
I just switch the engine off.

push in - starts rear wiper
hold in - starts rear wiper and jets water

push in again - stops rear wiper