VW Mechanic?

[Kiana]

Aloha! Any recommendations for a good VW mechanic? My 99 bug has the ABS light going on and off. It has low miles, 76k. Does anyone know if this is serious or can it ride? I know it has something to do with the antilock brake system, but the brakes seem fine. Thank you!

[dmbwest]

They made bugs in 99' ??? LOL

Sorry Kiana, your title prolly has a bunch of people clicking to help then finding out you have a modern car.

That said, but don't 'modernly' sue me ... Don't worry about it.

@ 76 K I think most people would be wondering when was the last time you had brakes checked, roads where you drive, tire condition/inflation, use of hand brake, battery change, check fluid level etc ... Donno conditions, corrosion ? Maybe just pull ABS fuse and push back in ?

Personally I would vote to have Nick Garage hava look.

aloha,
pog

Nick's Garage

[Kelena]

I had the same problem. The brakes were fine. My very reliable Volkswagen with which I never had a problem, began freaking out shortly after I brought it over here. First it spontaneously ejected a turn signal cover. I thought that was odd. Ordered a new one.....over the internet. Put it on. "There", I said. Then three weeks later the OTHER turn signal cover fell off (it is attached with a metal spring and a clip). Okay. Fine.

Then the glove compartment handle fell off in my hands. Then the electric windows got balky. Then my tail lights refused to go off (a problem which spontaneously resolved itself).

And, somewhere in there, the ABS light went on. I took it to ProMechanix where there is a young specialist who used to work at Behr's. Nice guy. What he did caused even more lights to go off. Went to Behr's and he told me that his best guy no longer worked there.....he worked at ProMechanix.

Saw one more guy in Hilo -- really super nice guy, and a pretty good detective, but he was not certain of the cause. He was confident that the lights did not signify a mechanical problem. The brakes were inspected several times. Investigated a place called European Auto Specialists on the Kona side but have yet to take it over.

I am informed that check engine lights and other such lights often go haywire over here. My car is mechanically sound and is otherwise astonishingly reliable for its age. I have chosen to live with the lights until I replace the car. I think European Auto Specialists might be work examining though as they are the only VW authorized mechanics on the island. If you buy a new VW from Oahu, they are the ones that will do the warranty service.

To review, the guy at Behr's is much touted, but he told me he lost his best mechanic to ProMechanix. There they told me I was going to have to replace the entire instrument panel and in checking it, made the lights worse. You will only know if you have an ABS issue if you have the brake system checked. If there is no issue, the issue is with the light. And I have lived with it.

[dmbwest]

Dear Kelena .... Please, please do not be overly worried about this stuff .... It's only lights. Like us, the actual, physical stuff, steel and will work forever.

aloha,
pog

[ericlp]

If you don't tailgate cars in front of you and give even more space between you and the car in front of you when it rains ... you're ok to drive with the ABS light on.

[hikatz]

search topic is from 2008
http://www.punaweb.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7374&SearchTerms=volkswagon,mechanic


latest review is from 8/18/12
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bears-volkswagen-repair-hilo

[dragon2k]

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlp

If you don't tailgate cars in front of you and give even more space between you and the car in front of you when it rains ... you're ok to drive with the ABS light on.

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Oh yeah, brakes? They're overrated. You'll be fine without them.
[]

[Buffy]

Try Bears in Hilo . We have used him for years.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bears-volkswagen-repair-hilo

[SBH]

I am very pleased with Bear's, they have been very honest with me over the years taking care of two VW's, old and new.

They build VW race cars too so when a cooling part for my Westfalia wasn't available they made it themselves. I was impressed.

Give Garth a call at 969-6604

[Kelena]

P.S. There is another vee dub mechanic off of the Pahoa Kalapana road, close to Pahoa. Kinda down in a gully. Look for the VW emblem. Haven't had my car serviced there but he seemed very knowledgeable. Lacks the device that checks engine lights though.