Newcastle area auto electrician

[Fossil]

I just bought a 2002 T4 Transporter and I was hoping somebody may be able to steer me towards a auto electrican around the Newcastle area that's familiar with working with these babies. I have asked one bloke at Maitland and he's not real keen on working on them but will do it. I just want someone to clean up the old wiring, connect a reverse camera, connect driving lights and a DC to DC battery charger. They charge around the $90 per hour mark so I want somebody who can do it fairly quickly as well as properly. The bloke above wants the car all day and seems a bit 'dodgy' to me. Any ideas or do you know of anybody please?

[weonarok]

It would appear from my own experience and reading posts of members on other forums that very few auto leccies know and understand can-bus and a lot carry on as per normal which can lead to some financially life changing events.

I remember calling into my stealer a few years ago where the techies where working on a Transporter with no headlights after an auto electrician had wired up driving lights months earlier.

It cost the owner well over 2K to sort it and replace a cooked light switch.

So, tread carefully as some older sparkies are usually set in their ways and not interested in change.

Look for a shop that specialises in European cars if possible is my advice, or at least ask if they're familiar with can-bus.




Cheers dave

[Sunny43.5]

I am pretty sure the T4 doesn,t have Can Bus wiring pretty much old school , I did heaps of wiring jobs on mine and my son's T4 stereos/ power windows/ cruise control/ sunroof /spotlights/ central locking /camera you name it and I am NOT a sparky . Yes the later T's could be a problem with Can Bus but once you understand how it works you can pretty well add anything to them with simple use of a relay . I did this with my wifes new T5.1 with tow bar wiring , if you tried to hook up trailer lights it sent the Can Bus into turmoil VW wanted over $650 for the loom and then coding on top . So I worked out that if you used a relay for each rear light then it will not affect Can Bus . I found a small box from Hayman Reece which had six mini relays exactly made for such a case fitted ours in only an hour or so NO coding required and the little black box was $120 . Same system for Cree light bar one 30 amp relay and it has worked for over 5 years now , you just have to think alternatively to the VW way

[aprr32]

Thompsons on Maitland Road in Mayfield. I send all my hard to do electrical stuff to them from the workshop and they really know whats what.

[Lucas_R]

Thompsons on Maitland Road in Mayfield. I send all my hard to do electrical stuff to them from the workshop and they really know whats what.

^ ive never used them but have heard good things about them and they are always busy.

[Fossil]

European Car Centre, Newcastle

Has anybody done business with this place and if so what are they like? My vehicle is a 2002 T4 2.5 TDI Synchro Transporter. Here is the link: European Car Centre Newcastle NSW Australia | Home Page

[Lucas_R]

I found the lady on reception at European Car Centre quite abrupt and rude so i took my business elsewhere. In saying that, other friends with VW/Euro cars still go there.

Newcastle VW Centre is only a few streets away and i have used them - would recommend.

15 Lindus St Wickham
Ph: 4927 6689

Also Twilight Automotive at Warners Bay (they guy who owns this used to work at European Car Centre) i have used before and would also recommend.

8/218 Macquarie Rd, Warners Bay NSW 2282
Ph: 4956 8848

[HaydEn]

Newcastle VW Centre only.