20 Most Recent 1997 Volkswagen Passat - Page 5 Questions & Answers

The battery terminals need cleaning.
Remove the battery cables and clean the cable clamps and the battery posts.
Probably won't need a boost to start.

the procedure for entering the code changed quite often, if you have the code and a local vw dealer,
ask them to put the code in.

you only have so many tries before it will lock up permanently and you will have to replace it.

Visit http://autorepair.about.com/od/fixityourself/u/path_DIYrepairs.htm

for resources you will find it there.

You should be able to add the fluid straight from the engine bay.. there should be a reservoir

I hope you're able to get into your car because it sounds like the system needs to be reprogrammed.

1-insert and remove key from ignition two times

2-close and open driver door two times

3-insert and remove key once from ign.

4-close and open drvr door twice

5-insert key into ign.,then close driver door

6-turn key to on (not start) then off, twice this is rewrite mode,have all remotes to reprogram it will clear any lost remotes.

7-remove key from ignition,the door locks should cycle twice.if not start over.it may take a few tries.

8-press lock/unlock together and hold for a second

9-release,and press lock on remote,the door locks will cycle confirming program.continue to do other remotes you have,steps 8 and 9.if only one in possession,you are done. To end mode open door or insert key into ignition.

You'll need to follow the steps with no more than a 1-2 second delay between each step.. hope it works

check for water getting into light units.

please elaborate. If you are askig for a radio code. No one will have except for the dealer

fuel tank

"Free" will be a problem. The best place to find a "free Owner's Manual" is to copy one from another Passat owner. You can purchase copies of the owner's manual from a variety of on-line sources, and even on eBay. Chances are that you are not the original owner, otherwise VW of America may be able to help. Unlike General Motors, VW does not offer downloadable copies of their Owner's Manuals from the VW Owners website.

Try a new ignition switch.

Hi ejj509,

Both my 97 Passat and my wife's 99 Passat were throwing the same OBD codes you listed.

Both VW's had the same problem. There is no "quick" solution for the problem. I can tell you what I found, what I had to do and how I repaired both vehicles so they no longer throw this OBD error code.

I removed the black plastivc AIR pump and found that three of the six aluminum rivets which hold the AIR pump impeller housing together had rotted off so the case was leaking air. I went to a hardware store with one of the aluminum rivets I had removed from the AIR pump and bought six brass machine screws and brass nuts. I gouged the aluminum rivets out and replaced them with the brass machine screws.

After I had replaced the AIR pump in the VW, I cleared the codes and ran the diagnostics again.
It still threw the same codes!!!

Next, I removed the plastic top engine cover from the VW engine (VR6) and located the many air solenoids hidden under the cover. I went to a local NAPA shop and purchased an eight foot length of their smallest gauge neoprene gas line (1/8 inch ID).

I carefully removed each piece of rotted VW vacuum line from the air solenoids and replaced each rotted section with lengths of the new neoprene gas line. I had to follow out each of the old vacuum lines and replace them because they were badly deteriorated. This took about five hours to accomplish.

I replaced the plastic engine cover and connected up my cable from my laptop to the VW's computer port, cleared all of the codes and ran a new scan. This time the scan was clear! Woo Hoo! Apparently, the problem was both the leaking AIR pump and faulty, deteriorated (cheap) Volkswagen vacuum lines.

It was well worth the effort. My driveway has now become a bonafied VW repair shoppe.

STAY AWAY FROM THIS CAR!!!! If there is a high piched whistle from under the bonnet and it is a turbo the said turbo is about to let loose. As for the other work niggley electrics are not un common on the passat all the other work seems wear and tear but these cars are not killed off easily it sound like it's a lemon Please dont buy it unless you are married to the owner of a bank.

There will be a dipstick under the bonnet Sounds like im taking the **** but you will have two one for the motor oil and one for transmission. it ll be buried or hidden under somehoses or wiring but it will be there honest iv'e gott a passat v6 auto it is there somewhere

possible oil valve sills are gone (dont understand why u changed injectors)

if its a supertine belt the digram is shown under the hood look arround find the pitcure if just reg belt u may or may not haft to remove the other ones to get it on like say if its in the back pulley its got to bee in line with the pully on the moter u should have a slide arm on the alt with about an 1/2 eanch bolt loosen that the alt will give just enuif to get it off put back same way u take off a#1 in tn

might have to lift hood and go about that way if not theres a frame around the headlight

Check the mass airflow sensor, this is quite a common fault as they easily get contaminated with oil. This damages the delicate element inside. It is mounted between the air filter box and the hose down to the turbo, it is held in by torx headed bolts and has a multi plug that needs to be disconnected. Cleaning it with spray brake cleaner may work if not it needs to be replaced.

CHECK YOUR O2 SINCOR I BET THATS WHAT IT IS ITS ON YOUR MANFOLE COMEING OFF THE MOTER SHOULD BEE 2 OR MABY THREE WIRS IT JUST UN SCREWS LIKE A SPARK PLUG BUT TAKES A SPICHEL RANCH TO DO SO U DONT BRAKE THE WIRES

its probably because you keep the key turned for too long while locking the car.
turn the key to lock it and turn back again quickly.
It freaked me out the first time it happened me but once you get used to it, its not a big deal