A whole mess of problems with my Passat

[skunkops]

Hey Guys,

I've got a 2003 Passat V6 SE 18 months ago that's having a wide range of problems recently. Wanted to get your opinions in the matter. I've lurked around here for a while, trying to find similar situations but nothing has quite covered it, so here goes.

Started about 3 months ago with a coolant leak. 3 mechanics weren't able to find the leak, just said to change the water pump. Between booking it in and getting the work done, the pump failed. Was in the middle of no where, so I drove, overheated, and blew the head gaskets. Got those fixed. While they were in there, found the leak in one of the hoses and repaired it.

Got the car back last week and it's been... odd. On a hot day, cranked the AC up and it was just blowing hot air. It has pumped out cold air since, but that was strange. The left and right brake lights aren't working (the fuse is fine), but the middle one is good. The traction control error light is on, and has been for a while. Last time that happened clearing the error code got rid of it for 12 months. Gear changes have been particularly sloppy and this morning while waiting at traffic lights, then engine cut out and the battery light came on. Restarted the engine and all was good. Reset the ECU by disconnecting the Battery for 20 mins (as I read on a different forum), which helped slightly in the short term, but a it's been a few days and already running like ass again. Drive it in sports mode to control the gear shifts but it's still not great.

I really don't know what's going on since the number and combination of errors are strange. It comes across like the ECU is playing up and needs the errors cleared. Trying to find a place with the diagnostic tool to clear the errors and get the readout.

If you have had something similiar happen or can guess what's going on, I would appreciate any advice or help.

Cheers

[h100vw]

There's a few fellas in Adelaide with a VCDS cable have shuffty around the forum, there's a list a started somewhere. "who can help"

Could be both bulbs blown?

You need to scan it first really, clutching at straws won't fix it I am afraid.

I am thinking maybe an airflow meter? Make sure it's connected, I assume its been disconnected when the heads were done. Maybe it never went back on correctly. Could be an airleak too.

Gavin

[Jmac]

Hi mate just logged on here briefly and saw your thread, i see a lot of these and have to say they are pretty bullet proof so hang in there. Now i reckon the both bulbs are gone for the brake lights, next these things hate secondary air and the main culprit is the corrugated crankcase breather hose that connects head to head, bad for cracks and splits and draws in air, not too dear to replace and well worth it. To check your engine codes any good Generic scanner will draw some codes if any, dont feel you are stuck if you cant find anyone with VCDS, its great and i use it 90% but for basic stuff you are right with the likes of Hanatech or Launch. Im sure your local guy will have either of the 2. VCDS is more for the in depth stuff especially adapting coding etc. At a glance it could be an air mass meter as Gav says , it can affect the gearshift, but the throttle body can do so as well and ive changed plenty of both these items. Now weird ABS or traction control lights on that model can be the printed circuit in the ABS ECU. Now this can be repaired so dont stress too much if it is. AC - Hate to say these models are bad for Evaporator leaks which means dash out to change it. Get it checked, check full of gas, and then if not have the vents sniff tested for leaking R134A

Good luck, stick with it, great cars

Jmac