summary = "And now for something completely different: I'm going to fix up 1994 Volkswagen Golf III Cabrio at home."
+++
Any of my friends or co-workers will tell you I'm a nerd. I like technical stuff. To get outside more, I decided my next technical challenge should be something that I do outdoors. The plan to convert a van into a camper was quickly dropped as I'm apparently the only person in the family who enjoys camping. I soon found that older Volkswagen Golf cars can be found for cheap, but will need work: precesily what I'm looking for.
With a car of this vintage you can expect things to be wrong with it. I try to keep a complete list of issues I find, when I fixed them and what the repair cost.
Most of the repairs and maintenance I will do myself. I either already have the proper tools or want to buy them anyway. I bought a [Haynes VW Golf Repair Manual](https://haynes.com/en-us/volkswagen/golf/1993-1998) and watched a metric ton of [Chrisfix Youtube videos](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCes1EvRjcKU4sY_UEavndBw). Also, I have some friendly mechanics in my network that I can ask for help if need be.
I cannot do _everything_ myself because I lack the proper training or tools. Things like replacing tires, wheel alignment, and validating the exhaust system is airtight. I will also bring the car to my local mechanic for the required periodical vehicle inspection. This means they will check if the suspension, brakes, and exhaust are functioning correctly (after I've had my hands all over them).
- [ ] Check what's up with ABS. It's not mandatory for a car of this vintage, but I'd be nice to figure out what's going on: `01276 ABS Hydrolic Pump (V64) signal outside specifications; might be a relay or wire, but most likely it needs a new ABS pump.
Some cars have headlight range control. Basically, if you're car is carrying a heavy load, the main headlights can be adjust to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. That's a nice feature to have.
However, this car came installed with after-market headlight units. They look nice, but lack the motor for headlight range control.
Now, _if_ you offer your car for inspection, and there's a headlight range control, it's expected to work. If it is there, but does not work, means your car will fail inspection. So, if you install headlights without range control (which is fine), then the button should also be disabled. It's just, the way it has been disabled is not so nice. They could have just removed the wheel control. I think I'm going to look for an scrap light control unit that only has the instrument lighting wheel and not the headlight range control. That will look way nicer.
When looking at an online scrap parts site, I found a replacement light switch from a two door hatchback Golf Mk3 for only €10. This particular hatchback model did not come originally with height range adjust, so now it's a perfect fit for my Golf.
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{{<lightbox-imgsrc="damaged_light_switch.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="The mangled light switch currently installed">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="new_fitter_light_switch.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="The replacement light switch, still need to detail the interior and dashboard.">}}
This is a 1994 car. Volkswagen started shipping cars with OBD2 interfaces from 1995 onward. You can see this in your car: if your OBD connector is **black** it's a pre-ODB2 version, the **purple** connector indicates OBD2.
Luckily, with a cheap KKL-compatible USB cable and VCDS Lite (free shareware works for reading and clearing codes), I was able to read the Engine and ABS systems for error codes.
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="driveway_mechanic.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Working on the rear brakes. There are jack stands under the car. (it\'s not resting on the wheel, thanks for asking)">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="22-07-10 13-07-51 0307.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Nothing to see here (notice the large amounts of dripped WD-40 on the cardboard)">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="22-06-18 15-34-02 0168.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="That does not look new and shiny">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="22-07-01 16-41-59 0234.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Out with the old\...">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="22-07-02 09-55-17 0236.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="\...and in with the new!">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="22-06-18 15-34-45 0170.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Did anyone say coolant leak?">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="22-06-25 10-56-55 0214.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Easy fix, fuel supply hose not tightend properly">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="22-07-18 09-24-51 0340.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="The mechanic doing the wheel alignment was cursing like a sailor — and applying the necessary heat.">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="them_wipers.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Wipers are now nice and straight">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="spoiled_milk.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="You may not want to drink that. (Old engine oil, Vantablack™ has nothing on this oil)">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="now_with_roof_cover.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Had to remove the rear seat, and under it I found a ball head screw that was missing. Now I can attach the roof cover!">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="fix_front_right_window_regulator.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Taking a moment to lubricate the window regulator mechanism and clean the connector. Smooth as butter.">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="little_helper_wheel.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="I had a little helper installing wheels :-)">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="transmission_out.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="After removing a lot of bolts, brackets and cables, it finally came out!">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="crankshart_seal_before.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="When you have your trans and clutch out on a 25+ year old car, might as well go out with the old...">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="crankshart_seal_after.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="...and in with the new crankshaft oil seal.">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="new_clutch_fitted.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="Ready to put the transmission back on.">}}
{{<lightbox-imgsrc="old_vs_new_friction_plate.jpg"lightbox="golf3"caption="The old vs the new.">}}