John West Bear

Southend.

Where abouts in Essex are you - I have a copy of VAGCOM but won't be back with me for another couple of weeks. Someone is borrowing it.

Quick update - Car went in for a major service at VW where it got damaged on there 2 poster ramps - As a result its squashed all the door sills. VW are now replacing the door sills and undercoating the car FOC and they are also carrying out investigations into why the battery keeps going flat as a gesture of goodwill (Supposed to be £102 an hour!). They have come back and said they need to replace the ignition switch as they think that when the car is being turned off its not actually cutting the power which means some circuits are still using power (Not sure which ones they are talking about here though!). I wasn't to happy as they didn't tell me they had an accident I drove home and then checked under the car when it looked a bit unusual and saw the damage. Went down Monday morning and they have agreed it's there fault - Will take 3 weeks to repair. They have also decided to let me borrow one of there cars as a loan car - That will be delivered next week. Not a bad result in the end.

Just out of interest do you work for British Gas? Had a very similar incident a few weeks ago.

Cheers btw did you ever get the auto dimming rear view mirror to work?

In the Golf GTi I have an ITG Panel filter which is serving me well.

That's the plan. But was interested to see if anyone has had anything similar where it just destroys the battery life - I wouldn't be concerned normally but the battery is a week old and something is eating through the charge for it to last less then 2 days. My next door neighbour has a battered up corsa that he hasn't driven in 2 weeks goes out this morning and gets it started first time! I have to keep jump starting mine. Any ideas on where the diag port is?

Car went in for a service today at VW and they performed a diagnostics check on the car at the same time and gave me a print out - I have been having a problem recently where the battery is not holding a charge for more then 36 Hours and they have told me there was a fault flagging up with the Immobiliser and they recommend that I pay them to investigate. A little bit wary as a) They charge the earth for investigation work and If it was a problem with the immobiliser surely I would be having some starting problems with the car which overall I am not - It's just the battery going flat. The fault code listed was as follows: 01176 007 Key Signal to Low Sporadic Fault It also lists sporadic faults (whether these have any relevance or not I don't know according to VW they don't) Listed these below as well just incase: Engine Control 17978 P1570 035 Engine Control Module Disabled - Sporadic Fault Airbag and Side Airbag Systems. 00532 007 Supply Voltage Signal too Low Central Locking 00668 Vehicle Voltage terminal 30 Signal to Low Sporadic fault Interior Monitoring 01463 Alarm via sensor for Anti theft warning system Sporadic fault. Now they still haven't said if anything could be causing the battery to drain so quickly and I am going to get a multi meter and work it out for myself but are there any areas of concern based on the above codes? Also where is the diagnostics port located in the lupo? I'm wondering if the codes are anything to do with the previous guy trying to programme a transponder though the ignition barrel? Either way VW have reset the fault codes but are advising that I go back to get it checked again at a cost of £102 per hour (hence the lack of urgency to return!) Any help appreciated. JWB

You and Little Green been out driving in the snow? Has it been ploughing the roads for the council?

On the same issue - My battery is draining like a bottle of whiskey at a poker night. I get up in the morning and if I don't start it everyday its had it by the evening. Getting right on my tits. Its definitely not the battery I have only had a new one a week and the one that was on it previously was doing the same thing. The alternator is fine - Putting out 14v when engine is running and there is no aftermarket parts. Earthing appears to be fine as well. What am I missing? Only thing that I have noticed that is a bit dodgy is the drivers side window switch is a bit temperamental ie you have to get it in the right place for it to go down? Any ideas?

I've had my fair share of 'Stop Gap' cars that just 'Stop' and go no further I wanted something that was reliable but would hold some value. I'm off travelling for 3 months next year and was going to sell the car / let someone use it. However I'm going to find it a nice garage to stop in whilst I am away and then I have a decent car to come back to. Be interested to hear your 'more fun' cars though see what you come up with. So far I've had Clio 172s, Golf GTi's, Clio RSi's / Williams, XR2i's (Crap!), 205 GTi amongst other's. I would say the Lupo is up near the top in enjoyment / overall package.

Can always go custom - plenty of places that do them. Probably cost you more though.

No I got it from a guy in Norfolk - The car was playing up not starting properly in the mornings - Ended up changing the battery, leads and coil pack and were onto a winner. The car was accident damaged in the past as well I believe but the repair was done in a VW garage so its as good as new. But meant that it was cheaper then most and the mileage is pretty low as well for its year so overall even with the battery expense more then happy with it. The drivers side window is a bit weird as well sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't got a mind of its own - Will probably test the switch and see what is happening there. On a seperate issue the Beetle is proper having a hissy fit - Drivers side door is stuck solid ended up having to cut the rear quarter light window out and climb through. And the Battery is knackered on that as well - So you can see having a good week on the car front

Picked the car up about 2 weeks ago now and already done a couple of quick changes. Not going to drastically change anything as it's a smart car - Didn't ever think I would like the car and it was supposed to be a stop gap but pretty much fallen in love with it, so it can stay!

A quick picture (Not in court either before anyone says a thing! )

Does it hang down that low when its on the ground? I can see its still on the axle stands there.

You mean accessories or just generally a VW Parts list?

Southend - Unfortunately.

Hey, Thought I would introduce myself. I have just recently got a Lupo GTi and also own a classic Beetle (Which is going up for sale soon). Already had a few problems with the car so will no doubt be picking some brains. I've owned plenty of VWs in the past including Mark 1/2/3 Golfs and Beetles. Any guys down South on here? Seems to be alot of people in the midlands. A couple of pictures below: Gary