2005 Jetta TDI

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

2003 was the last year of the alh engines. We own a 2001 jetta sedan that's my work, beater car. Manual windows, no sun roof, 5 speed. Averages around 42-48, depending on how much highway time there is. We also live in the mountains at 9500' . My wife drives a fully loaded, every option that was available but the 5 disc changer, 2003 jetta wagon, that we bought new. I converted hers to a 5 speed. I added a South Bend clutch, egr delete and a kerma tuner when I did the conversion. Hers blows the doors off off of mine. We love these cars. Start in the winter, do great with snow tires on. Just look for an 03 with a 5 speed.

Sent from my SM-G900V


I am looking at a 2003. May even make a deal on it tonight depending on what the check engine code reads. Meeting a mechanic with a code reader late afternoon. Is there a common check engine issue on them.

I know my 80 check light is always on. I can only replace the O2 sensors so many times. Going to shut it off by removing the cats.
 
I have a short attension span at the best of times and enjoy a little day dreaming..:beer::beer:

Love this web site and was the 3rd vendor after Marlin, some times I think we take it a little to seriously.

Back to Vdubs, they rock especially diesels..
 
Seems like the glow plugs tend to set them off, coolant sensor or plugged/in op egr valve. All very easy to fix.

Sent from my SM-G900V
 
Seems like the glow plugs tend to set them off, coolant sensor or plugged/in op egr valve. All very easy to fix.

Sent from my SM-G900V


Seems like you are correct. The codes were P0672 (glow plugs) and P0128 (open thermostat). I bought it. Now at least I own a diesel again. It may not be the 1HDT I was hoping for but maybe one day ;-)
 
Glow plugs are super easy, 10mm deep socket, under $100 last time I did them. Do the harness too, it is cut and splice. But it's only two wires that pos/neg doesn't matter. I can't remember if the thermostat open is the thermostat or the sensor usually off the top of my head. Welcome to the club!
 
Vanny, I also have an '03 Jetta Wagon TDI. 275,000km's. Here's a few things to look at closely.

- Timing Belt. Unless there is a verified time it was done and done by a TDI guru (not necessarily the stealership), then replace it.

- While doing the t-belt, do an EGR delete. Call JS Performance in Abbotsford for parts/knowledge.

- If you take it to JSP and get the EGR delete done by them, get a Stage 1 tune while you're at it because they have to mess with your computer anyways.

- Purchase an Armidillo skidplate from JSP, like STAT. The clearance on these cars is nothing and the pans are very weak. I just hit a piece of firewood and a rock with mine in the last week...saved my engine. I had a friend who did not have one and went down a gravel road...$6500 later...

- Front end wobbles seem to come from (if upon acceleration) driver's side driveshaft, lower control arm bushings, end links, wheel bearings.

- If you can afford it, buy VCDS, the VW code reader par excellence. Other code readers do not do these cars justice unfortunecookie.

- Get on the TDI forum as there is lots of good advice there.

Merry Christmas and hope you're enjoying the fuel economy.

PS: Drive it like you stole it...the Cat's seem to get clogged and the intakes get coked if you don't.
 
Vanny, I also have an '03 Jetta Wagon TDI. 275,000km's. Here's a few things to look at closely.

- Timing Belt. Unless there is a verified time it was done and done by a TDI guru (not necessarily the stealership), then replace it.

- While doing the t-belt, do an EGR delete. Call JS Performance in Abbotsford for parts/knowledge.

- If you take it to JSP and get the EGR delete done by them, get a Stage 1 tune while you're at it because they have to mess with your computer anyways.

- Purchase an Armidillo skidplate from JSP, like STAT. The clearance on these cars is nothing and the pans are very weak. I just hit a piece of firewood and a rock with mine in the last week...saved my engine. I had a friend who did not have one and went down a gravel road...$6500 later...

- Front end wobbles seem to come from (if upon acceleration) driver's side driveshaft, lower control arm bushings, end links, wheel bearings.

- If you can afford it, buy VCDS, the VW code reader par excellence. Other code readers do not do these cars justice unfortunecookie.

- Get on the TDI forum as there is lots of good advice there.

Merry Christmas and hope you're enjoying the fuel economy.

PS: Drive it like you stole it...the Cat's seem to get clogged and the intakes get coked if you don't.

Thanks for the info. So far the only complaint would be around 1800rpm if you gently accelerate there is a slight hesitation. A little more on the accelerator solves the problem. Starting Christmas Eve it became the wife's daily driver.
 
Nice man, you'll really enjoy it.

Check (1) intake to see if it's clogged, (2) CAT for clogged, and (3) injectors as they can get unhappy too. I've done all three of these things on mine and each needed to be done!
 
Jose at JS Performance is a marvel, a wealth of knowledge in that gentleman. He did a bunch of work on mine, stage two tune by Mark Malone, changed the injectors , deletes on all the EGR stuff. And as posted above rive it like you stole it, they seem to love hard driving. Another seconder on the timing belt and the skid plate under the pan.
 
I run a kermi tdi tune, they are out of Eagleville Colorado just down the road from me. The form their tunes on the 3 passes running down I70, so works great for me. I run the diesel geek Skid plate and short shifter (old style) on the wife's ride to. Super happy with the Skid, definitely worth it to get one from someone.

Sent from my SM-G900V
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom