Northland VW appt.

[Slalomguy]

Liquid:

I will be feeling your pain, soon!!! I take my '88 Jetta in to Northland next Monday, as the passenger's side outside and inside door latches, no longer open the door, as of this last Sat. It means taking the inside door panel off, but first having to get the door opened to do that (I am guessing..). I figure I would probably break something, trying to get the panel off, and even though I do have a shop manual, I am an accident waiting to happen.. Unfortunately, I choose to pay the price of stupidity, by not doing it myself, but letting the dealership do it for me... I envy all you NVD people who are mechanically inclined, and could probably do something like this in your sleep..
What is the going rate at NL now --$70 or $80 an hour??? Ouch... Not looking forward to the bill...

[Tuna]

Re: Northland VW appt.

Liquid:

I will be feeling your pain, soon!!! I take my '88 Jetta in to Northland next Monday, as the passenger's side outside and inside door latches, no longer open the door, as of this last Sat. It means taking the inside door panel off, but first having to get the door opened to do that (I am guessing..). I figure I would probably break something, trying to get the panel off, and even though I do have a shop manual, I am an accident waiting to happen.. Unfortunately, I choose to pay the price of stupidity, by not doing it myself, but letting the dealership do it for me... I envy all you NVD people who are mechanically inclined, and could probably do something like this in your sleep..
What is the going rate at NL now --$70 or $80 an hour??? Ouch... Not looking forward to the bill...

Wow, the inside AND outside latch failing at the same time, that's an unfortunate coincidence

Just throwing the idea out there but what about calling CAA or whatever they're called (if you have coverage) and see if they can slim jim the door open? That way it doesn't cost you anything and you can get the door open so you can take the panel off to figure out what's wrong with it (it may not work if the rod going to your latch has disconected). Just a suggestion in hopes you can avoid having the dealership do it. Do you have manual or power locks? I would think if it's manual locks it would be fairly easy to figure out the problem.

[Stonewall]

Re: Northland VW appt.

Go to montgomery and buy the latch, then go to the liqour store and pick up a case of beer then head over to my place. There is no way you should be bending over for a car that old. Mk2's are really easy to work on. I found the handles on the outside like to break. Whrn you pull the inside hadle is there any resitance at all?
Edit: On second thought I don't even thik you need to go to get parts. I bet maybe the outside handle is broken and the inside pull rod has come off.

[James]

Re: Northland VW appt.

ya, mistake #1 is taking your car to the dealship when its 20 years old haha.

Only reason anyone else here bring their car to the dealership is for warranty reasons. Shop rates are nuts at dealers

[Slalomguy]

Re: Northland VW appt.

Tuna, Stonewall and James:

Thanks for your comments!!! Yea, I SHOULD be able to do something like that, but I really am mechanically illiterate, and unfortunately, always have been. I have all paperwork from NL since I bought my Jetta, and it must be at least 1/4" thick now!!! There are some hefty bills in there, like for a new head gasket, and probably a couple of valve cover gaskets, over the last 17 years.. My "thing" is constantly keeping it in showroom condition, from the inside of the trunk, the interior, exterior and under the hood--I'm a certified fanatic in that regard.. I also wanted NL to rotate my tires, as that is something I just don't think about, until the tires are all ruined, and need replacing... Yea, you can all slap me upside the head on this one.. (I did change out the temp. sensor in the rad overflow bottle, as antifreeze would leak out the top, when it got hot..) This is one old dog you, unfortunately, can't teach a new trick, but I appreciate your input immensely!! Vdubs for life!!!

[LaDubDude]

Re: Northland VW appt.

Wow . . . i replaced and/or repaired my inside and outside latches so many times on my Mk2 that I lost track. I finally broke down and bought some higher quality aftermarket latches (can't remember the brand, but they weren't expensive, they were easy to find, and they're much sturdier than stock). I also took to using graphite firearm lubricant in the mechanism and lock cylinder . . . worked like a charm.

[Slalomguy]

Re: Northland VW appt.

A Happy ending to my appt. last Monday!!!

Had the Jetta in at 9 am, got it back at 11 am!! Service guy asked if I had a dog.. (how would he know we have 2--a greyhound cross and a Chihuahua,,). I said yes, and he said "We found a small dog harness jammed in the lock...." My wife must have leaned over, a week ago, after opening the pass. side front door, and this harness must have dropped, and straddled the pin on the door frame. When she closed the door--it was jammed!!! I laughed about it all the way home.

Total bill, including a tire rotation--$82!! And it took them awhile before they could get the door open, I guess!! It's nice to have a working pass. door again!!!

[Tuna]

Re: Northland VW appt.

A Happy ending to my appt. last Monday!!!

Had the Jetta in at 9 am, got it back at 11 am!! Service guy asked if I had a dog.. (how would he know we have 2--a greyhound cross and a Chihuahua,,). I said yes, and he said "We found a small dog harness jammed in the lock...." My wife must have leaned over, a week ago, after opening the pass. side front door, and this harness must have dropped, and straddled the pin on the door frame. When she closed the door--it was jammed!!! I laughed about it all the way home.

Total bill, including a tire rotation--$82!! And it took them awhile before they could get the door open, I guess!! It's nice to have a working pass. door again!!!

That is awesome to hear! Glad you got your car working without any headaches.

[Smarty39]

Re: Northland VW appt.

Nice to hear a happy service story . Maybe it's time I try Northland again.

[Cordialtea]

Re: Northland VW appt.

that sounds like something i would do meaning the dog harness caught in the door.
I am happy things worked out for you.

Cordialtea

[RONDAL]

Re: Northland VW appt.

northland has a smoking hot service girl who does the bookins......almost makes it worthwhile there to go buy their marked up priced parts.

FYI: northland marks up their prices 15% over what VWoC set their maximum prices at. its screwed up and i dont know how they get away with it. i made a stink about it and got my parts at VWoC prices only after i called my buddy who works at another dealership to get him to check his prices and the VWoC prices

[LaDubDude]

Re: Northland VW appt.

There are two VW dealerships in Halifax and one does the same thing. It really p|$$e$ me off. VWoC don't seem to give a lick one way or the other. On the other hand, Hillcrest VW is almost across the street from me and their parts prices are REALLY good on almost every item. Six of one, half a dozen of the other i suppose

[RONDAL]

Re: Northland VW appt.

i just order all of my parts from my dealership in vancouver and courier them here overnight. works out cheaper on anything over $35

[Slalomguy]

Re: Northland VW appt.

Rondal:

Man, I hear you loud and clear about the girl in service reception!!! I was sitting in the waiting area, facing the window, waiting for my Jetta to have the door fixed, and she walks through the parking lot, towards me, wearing this black form fitting short sleeved top... Talk about poetry in motion!!!
WOE BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! Oh to be young, and know then, what I know now...

[RONDAL]

Re: Northland VW appt.

im still young. i would gander she is like 20-24. perfect age for me.
i think she needs a ride in the smurf to find out what the squeak is in the back seat