few problems w/1997 jetta

[jeli]

This may be a little long winded so I apologize in advance. 1st of all, I just moved somewhere very cold and when I tried to check my anti-freeze level before it got too cold, I could NOT get the cap off. I could not find a normal radiator cap and so I need to know how and exactly where (in Layman's terms, I am engine illiterate) to find where to check. Also, when it gets colder than 30 my passenger door doesn't open and lower than 10, neither does my driver's side...why and how can I fix that? And last of all, my check engine light came on a couple of days ago, and last night as I was driving my car died on the highway, and I thought it could be because I had no gas, so I put some in and thankfully the car started back up and made it home, but this morning when I went to start it, it just clicks it doesn't start. All the lights come on so I don't believe it is my battery. Thanks and sorry for such a long paragraph.

[Igovert500]

Ok, well I'll try and answer what I can.

First off, don't ever take your radiator cap off when the car is hot...EVER! Now that said, you should have a white reserve resevoir somewhere (sorry, I don't own a Jetta, so I don't know where) but it should have a high and low marking on the side of it. (like I said it should be a white plastic tank filled with greenish liquid). This is the easiest way to check the level of the coolant.

Second, as far as the doors not opening...this sucks, but it happens to everyone at some point or another...chances are it is your weather stipping that has frozen. When this happens, you just have to gently pry it open or wait until it defrosts...just be careful, because you don't want to rip the rubber weatherstripping.

3rd, any check engine light should be checked immediately. Every time that light comes on, your ECU (car's computer) stores a numbered code, which tells exactly where and what hte problem is. Autozone typically has the capabilities to retrieve these codes...and they do it for free. Your dealership will probably charge you an arm and a leg for this simple service...but that's just because dealerships make a living off of screwing their customers (I used to work at one). But without that code, it is impossible to know what that Check engine light(CEL) is up for.

4th, in this cold weather a battery can get drained and not have enough power to turn the car over...it may still have enough to power the lights, locks, alarm, clock, etc, but it just might not have enough cold cranking amps left in it to get that initial startup...this happens to my Mitsu far too often here in NY. Just jump it, drive it for an hour with your radio off, so it can recharge, or take it to Autozone and ask them to recharge it (again, they do this service for free). To avoid this in the future, just start your car every day, and let it run for a few mins, just to keep it alive in this cold weather. If this continues to happen, it may be time for a new battery.
Hope that helps.

[jeli]

Thank you very much!

First off, don't ever take your radiator cap off when the car is hot...EVER! Now that said, you should have a white reserve resevoir somewhere (sorry, I don't own a Jetta, so I don't know where) but it should have a high and low marking on the side of it. (like I said it should be a white plastic tank filled with greenish liquid). This is the easiest way to check the level of the coolant.

Second, as far as the doors not opening...this sucks, but it happens to everyone at some point or another...chances are it is your weather stipping that has frozen. When this happens, you just have to gently pry it open or wait until it defrosts...just be careful, because you don't want to rip the rubber weatherstripping.

3rd, any check engine light should be checked immediately. Every time that light comes on, your ECU (car's computer) stores a numbered code, which tells exactly where and what hte problem is. Autozone typically has the capabilities to retrieve these codes...and they do it for free. Your dealership will probably charge you an arm and a leg for this simple service...but that's just because dealerships make a living off of screwing their customers (I used to work at one). But without that code, it is impossible to know what that Check engine light(CEL) is up for.

4th, in this cold weather a battery can get drained and not have enough power to turn the car over...it may still have enough to power the lights, locks, alarm, clock, etc, but it just might not have enough cold cranking amps left in it to get that initial startup...this happens to my Mitsu far too often here in NY. Just jump it, drive it for an hour with your radio off, so it can recharge, or take it to Autozone and ask them to recharge it (again, they do this service for free). To avoid this in the future, just start your car every day, and let it run for a few mins, just to keep it alive in this cold weather. If this continues to happen, it may be time for a new battery.
Hope that helps.[/quote]