ric220

Thanks again Brian. I was just hoping I'd been unlucky with my sharan gearbox! There's other electrical issues, a hesitating when starting and accelerating, rumbling wheel bearings etc which mean it's time for a change. There's certainly a lot of 2.3s out there with less than 100k miles. I'll see what I can get for the sharan which will dictate my budget to some extent. Thanks

Thanks all. So just to be clear, the diesel is likely to be more reliable than the petrol 2.3? And what's the view on manual v auto? Thanks again.

Ok cheers - I'll get that done asap.

Thanks Brian. Would low gearbox oil prevent selecting drive when it's cold?

Well, sods law. I decide to sell my aging sharan 1.8t automatic and it develops a new problem! In the mornings it won't shift from park to drive. The solenoid prevents it and there's no click from the box when I put my foot on the brake which releases the switch that locks the lever. I know this problem is often linked to dodgy wiring in the tailgate which stops the brake lights from working, but I've meticulously replaced the wiring and I'm pretty confident it's ok. What's strange is that once the car (and weather) have warmed up its generally fine for the rest of the day. Any ideas? Cheers

Many thanks all! You've restored some of my confidence! Seat Kid - I've had lots of experience of buying older cars and there's a heck of a lot of older motors out there with tens of thousands of miles left in them. I was simply wanting to get people's views on what engine and gearbox combination is the most reliable. I'm guessing diesel manual? Thanks again.

Thanks Sas. So in terms of reliability what would you suggest the ideal mk2 engine / gearbox combination is? I was thinking diesel manual? I'd prefer auto but hear a lot of horror stories...

My '99 sharan 1.8t is getting beyond aged and I've decided to let her go. She's done 32k miles in 20 months (now 113k on the clock) and I've reached the point where I'm throwing money into a car I've fallen out of love with. Numerous electrical problems coupled with under bonnet sensors going pop every couple of months have worn me down, and I suspect the gearbox is dying. Brilliant engines though those vag 1 8t's! But, the space, versatility and handling are brilliant and so I naturally looked at similar sharan / galaxy options (sub £1000k). However Honest John states that their reliability record is abysmal and suggests I steer clear! Really? The alternatives are the laughably unreliable Voyager or the similarly useless Citroën c8 / Peugeot 807 (I've got a partner and 4 kids so it's gotta be big). So, my question is: does the galaxy / sharan platform have fundamental flaws or do I just need to choose the right engine? I know about the universal tailgate wiring issues etc but which engine is the most reliable? I'm hoping Honest John was reviewing the duffer and there's a peach of an engine out there!? I'd prefer auto but it's not essential. Thanks all.

Hi all. I’m having issues with the (4spd) auto gearbox on my ’99 Sharan 1.8t. I know I should probably post this on a VW forum (I assume the ‘box is VW as well as the engine?) but thought I’d try here; When the gearbox is cold it can be reluctant to engage. I’ll stop at a junction for eg and when I press the gas the revs rise but no movement until it suddenly engages and moves off (obviously I only apply light pressure on the accelerator as it engages suddenly which is bound to be bad for the ‘box). Once warmed up its fine. The problem seems to be getting worse. Any ideas (PS the gear changes are smooth in all gears)? Thanks a lot.

Thanks all for your replies. Me and a friend spent 3 hrs on Sunday cutting splicing and occasionally swearing and replaced all the wires from the Jack area into the tailgate. Connected everything up and... exactly the same problems!! Aaaargh! After more swearing in desperation I replaced every single bulb on the rear and hey presto - the problem had vanished! I knew one of the tail lights (the single element) and poss a reversing light were blown but still I can't understand why that should create such mayhem with the other lighting. For my sanity I'm telling myself replacing the loom solved several problems and the blown bulbs was just coincidence but I'll never know. Anyway thanks again for the pointers!

Just to update, I dismantled the centre console and identified the hiss. It comes from a pair of green and black air lines connected to the blower speed control. No sign of a split - it hisses when not connected to the rotary dial, and also when not. It just seems happiest hissing (but goes away when I block off the vacuum one). Blocking it off however doesn't affect the starting issue. Think I'm going to have to get friend with ecu reader to run a check. I'll keep you posted. Cheers

Thanks all. I've set aside time this weekend to attack the wiring. Just 3 more questions (honest); The description in faq doesn't describe how to access the ends of the wires. On the boot lid do I remove the main grey plastic panel and start there, and on the rear wing do I need to remove the whole panel (including the lidded storage box) or can I access what I need through the Jack storage door? Secondly, I've seen reference to complete boot lid replacement wiring looms. Does anyone still sell them? Nothing on Fleabay. Finally, the rubber boot is in bits and useless. As a fix I'm thinking of wrapping the new wires in plastic (carrier bag?). Does that sound reasonable? Many thanks all for your patience!

Thanks all for the wealth of ideas and pointers. Re relay 30 suggestion, the light on the door comes on (constant, not blinking) when the key

Well, a new fuel filter has been fitted and the reluctance to start hasn't changed. The fusebox seems ok and anyway I'm not sure the burning smell isn't a figment of my imagination. Any other ideas? Thanks a lot.

Stupid question time (I know NOTHING about electrics), but does the wiring need to be of a particular type / thickness? If it's just a case of taking off the rear wing / bootlid trim, cutting each wire and replacing it with one a couple on CM longer than the original then I hope to do it this weekend. Cheers

PS the problem occurs regardless of whether the engine is hot or cold.

Hi all. I hope you can help with an odd starting problem. A couple of weeks ago I ran out of petrol. Ever since then my Sharan 1.8t auto has hesitated when starting. Rather than starting instantly as previously, it now fires, nearly dies then starts properly and runs perfectly. But, when it starts there

Excellent many thanks. One of my many new years resolutions is to fix the bloomin wiring so that'll come in handy.

Hi all and happy Christmas! Before I embark on an 800 mile uk tour visiting family, I'm trying to patch up the dreaded tailgate wiring on my '99 sharan 1.8t. I've wrapped the frayed wires in tape for now but 1 wire - black and green - is broken and the end has disappeared into the rear wing! Does anyone know what it operates? Thanks a lot.

Many thanks both for your excellent replies. I'll try to narrow down the source of the problem. Cheers

Hi all. Just a quick question; My '99 sharan petrol (1.8t) has recently started hissing at me! It comes from the centre console and goes away when I accelerate. Fan hot / cold, on /off doesn't make a difference. Performance, braking and heating are normal. Any ideas? I'm about to do 700+ miles over Christmas so comments on how safe it is wd be particularly welcome. Thanks.

Thanks Paul. I can feel a bodge coming on...

Thanks. The brake light bulbs are ok as they're working but intermittently. I'll have a look at the boot wiring. If they are shorting how do I access more wiring so I can repair (I guess only a few cm's are visible)? Thanks a lot.

Many thanks for that. I'll check it later today and update.

Morning all. I REALLY hope someone can help with a weird electrical issue on my