Hello all!

I am a proud owner of a new (to me) 2000 Jetta GLS. 2.0 AEG
I am asking for some input. The previous owner had taken good car of the car and changed the oil regularly. It has approx 102,000 miles. He never had to replace the timing chain or water pump (or anything major at all, he owned it for 4 yrs). Ive read that this is the major thing that can go wrong with these vehicles. Should i be looking into doing that fairly soon?

I would like to do a basic tune up on the vehicle (although it runs great, just common practice for me).

I like synthetic oil (i use it in my other vehicles- Mobil 1)
What type of oil should i use, i know on various vehicles, people tend to like a certain kind.
What kind of spark plugs and wires should i get?
I just put in a rechargeable K&N filter.
I also just replaced the Engine coolant temp sensor, it kicked a p1256 code.
I read in the Owners manual that the brake fluid is do change every two yrs as well.
Also Is there a specific style clutch that i should look into (it works fine, just want to start with a fresh one).
Also does anyone have a pic of what the dummy lights on the dash (Service engine soon, brakes, oil, coolant low) look like all lit up? I dont believe that my SES light is working.
I dont plan on Moding this car, just looking for a nice reliable VW!
Anything else i am missing please inform.

Thanks,

Joe

 

Nice car. The wear limit on the timing belt is 22mm. There's a cover to the left of the valve cover just take it off and measure it. I've never heard of the water pump being notoriously bad. Stick with Mobil 1, use 10W40. I like Bosch spark plugs. For you I would say irridium +4's. I wouldn't worry about the clutch. I know mine was the original and it looked brand new at 125,000. Engine light is yellow with a picture of an engine on it. Brake light is red, says brake on it. It should come on when the parking brake is engaged. The coolant gauge is red and it has a picture of a thermometer on it. All the instrument cluster lights should come on when you turn the ignition on. If they aren't check your fuses first of course.

 

Alright, thanks.

All my lights dont come on when i turn the key (all do except engine and some weird circle with a triangle). It is failing emmisions for this reason. I called VW and they want 524.87 for a cluster (said it has LED's and they cant change them) and 200 for install (which includes burning the mileage on the odometer). I have checked every single fuse in the dash behind the door. Has anyone have any experience changing LED's? I can easily take the cluster apart, just dont know where to start with changing an LED. A little nervous cause i dont want to mess up the odometer. I REALLY do not want to spend 724 dollars on a freaking light!

 

The circle with the triangle in it is traction control. If the led's are fixed to the circuit board then you would have to solder them if not, plug 'em in.

 

so this should be an easy fix?
sorry if im being stupid....im good with the mechanical side off things..not so hot with electrics!

thanks for your help

 

It would be hard if you have to solder them and easy if you can just unplug them. Some people have an easy time with soldering but my hands shake so bad I can barely do it. I can walk you through it if you need to solder.

 

Thanks for all your help!

All this is not necessary for i have found the cause.

A little piece of electrical tape.

Some shaddy seller or mechanic down in this cars history. If it was the seller i really dont understand why. It had a P1256 code, a 7 dollar part fixed it!

Thanks again!

 

Boy, some people are morons. Nothing better than an easy fix.

 

Yea, i really think it wasnt the seller. I think it was the "stealership". This way it wouldnt pass emmisions and he would have had to bring it back in. Then they would tell him the cluster is bad and have to replace it...724 dollars later....

 

My car would meet emmisions but, I sure am glad we don't have to worry about that in Missouri.