Crap.

"I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker" (qaaaaa) 05/24/2019 at 20:52 • Filed to: None

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Can relate, David.

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Got my Golf home after class, got in the Jetta to go to Autozone for spark plugs, wouldn’t crank. Sounded like the starter solenoid was closing, but the starter wouldn’t crank. Hoping it’s just ignition switch, which is a known weak spot on the Mk3 Jetta.

So I drove the Golf, intermittently missing all the way there. Got the plugs, got home. Changed two plugs no problem, third plug wire tore at the boot and the wire popped out. Crap. Haven’t done the second two yet. Also tore the boot on the wire that goes to the coil. So, good. I can’t do anything right.

Fouled plugs for your time.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 05/24/2019 at 21:06

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Ignition switch repairs involves bending a micro screw driver to make the tools you need to remove the steering wheel. Give yourself some.time for  that one. Also unless your car was losing lights and radio randomly whole driving, it might not be ignition switch.

pip bip - choose Corrour > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 05/24/2019 at 21:09

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those plugs look awful

new plug leads won’t hurt too

jminer > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 05/24/2019 at 21:17

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Been there- I’ve always owned sketchy cars plus 1 reliable daily to get me to work. When it goes haywire it’s praying for motorcycles to behave or snatching my wife’s car for parts runs.

There was one point where the most reliable vehicle I owned was a 1984 Honda Spree - it made many a parts run if the wife was busy or out of town.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/24/2019 at 21:18

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Yup. I briefly considered either taking the Jetta’s wires to the Gold, but figured they’d be just as dry rotted and also rip. Or, take Golf switch to Jetta, but I didn’t want to molest the Golf further.

What happened on the Jetta was turn key, click, no crank, repeat. The alarm went off, which was weird, and the battery disconnected and reconnected, based off the clock reset... I dunno. Need to read more, but that seems consistent with ignition switch. 

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > jminer 05/24/2019 at 21:20

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Problem is... these are my d ailies. I live walking distance to school/my lab, but I was driving them for diagnostic purposes. 

jimz > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 05/24/2019 at 21:29

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way back 20 years ago when I wrenched at a shop, we had a customer who seemed to be bringing his cars in like at least twice a week. I asked the head mechanic what was up that meant he was here so often. He looked at me and said:

“He buys junk.”

MM54 > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 05/24/2019 at 21:37

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Make sure the battery terminals are in good condition, not loose, cor roded, etc. This includes if they are the replacement clamp-on, err, clamps. I had an i ssu e before where turning the key would kill power to everything that was a bad battery terminal connection. Cleaning up the oxidation fixed it.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > MM54 05/24/2019 at 21:57

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Oh, crap, duh. I need a new clamp on my negative. It spins, but it’s snug enough that I think there would be a good connection. Thanks!

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > jimz 05/24/2019 at 21:58

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I’ve spent less than $2000 on cars. On repairs, well...

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 05/24/2019 at 22:33

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Yeah I had my jetta stutter in traffic one morning and the battery terminal was corroded. Another common fault. But very easy to fix.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/24/2019 at 22:45

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Yeah, should be an easy one... famous last words. I didn’t touch the Jetta today, focused on plugs for the Golf. I’m gonna wait for plug wires for the Golf to get here, then get a new terminal clamp and hope that’s all that’s keeping it off the road.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > pip bip - choose Corrour 05/24/2019 at 22:46

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Yup, running very rich. Need to tinker with it on VCDS.

Future Heap Owner > I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker 05/25/2019 at 01:05

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I also employ your strategy of multiple not terribly reliable vehicles; we’ll see how far that gets me. Right now my truck should really not be driven until I take a good look at some engine & intake stuff (makes a weird noise on start, at first only on hot starts, then on every start). So my Volvo that recently had a no-crank issue as well is my only “reliable” vehicle. Fingers crossed.

Fortunately, I work from home, so if I were to not have a daily for a little while, it wouldn’t be too bad.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > Future Heap Owner 05/25/2019 at 07:05

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My cars make weord noises exclusively.