I own a 99 VW New Beetle with an auto transmission...no...

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Answer by BlueHeronTrail.com
Submitted on 5/22/2005
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My '98 has had the headlight problem, the window problem, and (most recently) the stuck in park problem. In addition to that, the driver's seat has broken, the window switches have all broken at one time or another, and I've had some issues with the power steering that were caused by an inept mechanic at the dealership where I bought the thing. Also, I just spent $900 getting the A/C fixed. Who made these junkers? I thought the Germans were supposed to know how to make a car. Well, at least the motor and the tranny have held up for 100k. (Knock on wood.) As for the headlight problem, though, I figured a way around burning them out every 10k miles. You just yank one of the relays in the fuse box. I can't remember which one, so you'll have to Google for it. It's very easy to do, and it keeps the daytime running lights from coming on while still allowing for manual headlights. If you're in a state that requires DRL (a socialist state), don't do it, or you'll get ticketed and/or sent to the gulag (sp?). BlueHeronTrail.com

Answer by Bobbyblair
Submitted on 8/3/2005
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About changing the headlights: They actually have a pretty nifty design for this. You pull the whole assembly out of the car from the front. There is a little button that needs to be fully pressed down. There is a little white mark on it, some people say it's diamond shaped, to me it looked like someone just stuck it with a white out pen. The one on the driver's side seemed to stick a little more for me and then a lever above it can be moved to release the whole assembly. I found it was easiest to just try and slowly jiggle it out through the front rather than push it from behind. Everything comes out all together, wires and all. Detach the black cover on the back of the headlight assembly and you'll see some metal clips that are holding in the actual bulbs. Just keep in mind that the high beams are actually lower, the regular lights are on top. It took me an extremely long time the first time I attempted this and I totally thought I wasn't going to be able to do it. Be patient and you shall overcome this one. And thereafter it just gets easier. No tools required and saved the money of taking it to the dealer.

Answer by tara
Submitted on 11/29/2005
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I just had the same problem with the gears sticking in Park. I called a 24-hr service that apparently VW provides (found this out today). Its an 800 number in the manual for mechanical problems... Anyway, I called them and the woman had me (From what I remember, no guarantees): 1) turn off the car and pump the brake 5 times, then hold down the last pump and turn on the car, 2) turn off the car, 3) turn the key one quarter and move the gear shift to in-between N and D (which I was suddenly capable of doing), 4) then turn on the car and put it in D, N or R. I then thanked her, put it back in Park out of habit and to check it, and had to have her repeat the whole thing over again! When I got home and checked it, and now I can move the shifter around like normal... Tara

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Question by DrBob30
Submitted on 8/24/2003
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I own a 99 VW New Beetle with an auto transmission...no probs...then suddenly is locked up in Park. I can "trick it" out of park if I turn the ignition switch off and while move the selector out of Park...starting it. But if I move it back into Park it locks in Park again?? Any tips?? Bob

Answer by Thomas
Submitted on 9/2/2003
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My answer to the problem is if the car won't go into gear without turning on the key first to put it in gear. The problem is you need to change a fuse but don't ask me which one because I don't know. I recently had the same problem, I was changing the fuse for my power locks and my horn quit working and it wouldn't go into gear. You need to change a fuse to fix the problem.

Answer by Austin
Submitted on 9/8/2003
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I just had my '02 Beetle in for a similar problem. Is the light by the shifter console (looks like a foot on a brake) coming on? If not, there is a switch connected to your brake pedal that may need to be replaced. This is the switch that forces you to step on the brake in order to put the car in gear. Safety thing. If the light is coming on, might be a fuse. I'd take it to a dealer to check it out.

Answer by Blakeley
Submitted on 2/11/2004
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My 2000 got stuck in park...so when I finally got it out by tricking it, I took it to my general mechanic and had him disengage the "safety feature" that locks it into park. No problems since then, with that. Now my transmission is skipping...

Answer by Ash
Submitted on 3/2/2004
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I have an 01 beetle, i have not had any majior transmission problems BUT water is leaking into the car throught the ouside when it rains. The water comes in by the pedals and drips on my feet, I HATE my vw because i have had SO MANY problems with it.Despite that i treat it REALLY WELL. Anyone else have this problem?

Answer by Eudora20
Submitted on 3/8/2004
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I have had similar problems with water leaking on my feet, but sometimes it was not raining so I am amusing that it is water from the engine somehow. But I am currently trying to fix my trunk, it does not want to close properly. And does any one else seem to have the headlights bulb blow frequently?

Answer by YukonBug
Submitted on 5/11/2004
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I also had the brake swith/stuck in park problem. No water leaks but those weak little headlights pop every few months. My cruise control switch no longer does anything, my trunck is a pain to close properly. For the trunck I peeled away the plastic coating on the latch and now it closes much nicer. Are there better haedlights out there for these things. Oh Yeah, after hearing a loud snap/bang in the passenger door, the window is now free floating and is taped closed, there is nothing holding it up inside the door.

Answer by rockp
Submitted on 6/23/2004
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As for the window problem.... VW has issued an extended warranty for the window problem you described. Apparently, there is a design flaw in the way the current windows are constructed. Just take it in and they will update both windows with the newly designed parts for nothing.

Answer by azb
Submitted on 6/30/2004
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My window in my 99 bug did the same thing, but my general mechanic fixed it for me. I am trying very hard to figure out how to change my headlights without taking it to a garage, does anyone know how to do this??? I no longer like to drive my car, because something is going to fall off of it

Answer by Butterfly
Submitted on 7/5/2004
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I have had my 2000 beetle for exactly 30 days. I bought it with 86K. Already, got stuck in a parking lot car would not start, the waterpump went and I keep having to fill it with cooling fluid every 500k because the temperature light comes on. I have had to replace my break light and my back parking light broke off from the inside??? I too am having problems with the hatch not always opening or closing properly... I love my bug, but am always nervous when driving it now.

Answer by ori
Submitted on 7/8/2004
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My 2.0 01 Bora has a delay between selecting and engaging reverse, since day 1. When approach dealer he advised it's intentional being a safety feature. Is it?

Answer by baby buggy
Submitted on 9/8/2004
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i had the problem with the same problem with the locking in park with my 99 beetle (among many other problems)...it's actually just a bad switch which you'll probably have to have replaced...they've since made new ones that don't have that problem. but you certainly want to take it to a vw dealer or a good vw mechanic and let them know. you don't want to get stuck somewhere and be stranded.

Answer by hugs
Submitted on 10/26/2004
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My bugs sucks!!! I hate that damn parking crap. I have had it with the bug and I gonna drive it over a cliff. Tell how to get pass the stupid gears sticking. Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer by ColeopteraVW
Submitted on 11/2/2004
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Actually, yes, the delay is intentional because a while back, people were griping about this "sudden acceleration" problem Audi and VW had. it was not a real problem but they had to do something. I have a new beetle. Its great! Some oil spilt into the catalytic converter and a piece of cooling system broke. thats all thats gone wrong in 56,000 miles!

Answer by mg
Submitted on 11/10/2004
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I've had the same delay delay in the transmission since day one. It usually does it when going from reverse to drive. It's a 98 beetle I purchased it new. I can't see how that would be a safety feature maybe to save the transmission but definetly not the save the driver with the 2-3 second delay between gears.

Answer by mercy
Submitted on 11/4/2006
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I JUST GOT A 2000 NEW BEETLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF TRANSMISSION OIL ITS USE

Answer by suzesbug
Submitted on 11/29/2004
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Hey I have a 2003 VW beetle convertible.. that doesn't like to start all the time.. took it into the dealership, and they don't know what is wrong... any suggestions? I turn the key and I get nothing, no grinding, or anything.. it doesn't happen every morning..

Answer by sadlilstar
Submitted on 12/16/2004
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I have 2000 beetle i have had it for 2 yrs....both of my windows do not work....my trunk closes miserably....my sunroof no longer closes ..so it stays cracked open. other than the 1,000 problems its great. oh, and this is the 2nd time it has been stuck in park.

Answer by amiga
Submitted on 1/11/2005
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Am having problems with headlights blowing as well as some of the other folks. costs a fortune to take it into the garage. Today the car would not start, just out of the blue. I figured I should change the battery, but can't figure out how to get the darned thing out of the car? Anyone have a clue about that? Will I have to take it in to the garage just to change the battery? Up to now, I've had so few problems with my bug!

Answer by jedimeatman@yahoo.com
Submitted on 1/14/2005
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with the leaking water problem did the dealer replace the Windsheld as well or just take it off and fix the seals. I have a slight knick in my windsheld.

Answer by VWLVER
Submitted on 3/26/2005
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I have a problem with my new VW beetle. My brake lights went out and I don't know what's going on... My lights work but the brakelights don't. Is it the fuse? If so how do I go about changing it??

Answer by canotwait
Submitted on 6/4/2005
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Here is a link to instructions on how to change a headlight in a new VW Beetle. http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/viewtopic.php?pid=209286#p209286

Answer by Lucky
Submitted on 8/3/2005
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IF your VW Beetle(01) stuck in the parking brake, Try to turn the key on 1 notch and then put the gear in the middle of N & D and then start your car it should let you move the gears and let you drive.

Answer by SPW
Submitted on 9/23/2005
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It's the brake pedal switch. It controls the brake lights AND the parking safety lock. It had a recall in 2003. My dealership swapped mine out free when it happened to me.

Answer by KC
Submitted on 10/11/2005
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I am trying to find step by step written instructions on how to change new beetle headlights. I think it's absurd to have to pay a minimum of $50 per light + cost of parts which will be marked up at least 300 percent!

Answer by newbug
Submitted on 11/11/2005
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how do i replace tail light of 99' beetle?

Answer by shannon
Submitted on 3/24/2006
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I have a 99 Beetle, when starting off, if I give it too much gas it shuts off and it won't switch into gears. I have tried to check the transmission fluid but cannot find where to check it and the owners manuel doesn't have it either.

Answer by twiglet
Submitted on 4/10/2006
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i'm having the same problem with the headlights i change mine like every other month, its ridiculous. i have 03 bought brand new i love the car, but its causing me so many headaches. i've also just recently had to get a new brake switch.

Answer by Evan
Submitted on 5/24/2006
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I also had to keep adding coolant. The fix... replace the coolant flange on the left hand side of the head. It's a black plastic piece with i believe four hoses attatched to it. Around $10.00 for the part.

Answer by Nicole
Submitted on 6/28/2006
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I have a 2000 beetle as well and i have the same issues with my gear shift being locked in park. This is such an inconvenience and could be a possible life threatening situation. If only they would tell you these things at purchase. RECALL ANYONE!!!

Answer by BugSwatter
Submitted on 7/13/2006
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My wife has a '99 New Beetle; she drives it and at least used to love it. I've always worked on it and have hated it from day one; literally the day I picked it up it started breaking (the driver's side window regulator broke). TO CHANGE HEADLIGHTS you need to locate and move (good luck) the sliding lock along the inside face of the headlight assembly, which is near the back of the assembly under the hood. It's held in place by a little locking tab; if you break the tab, don't worry about it 'cause it's really not needed. You have to slide the lock (downward I believe) then you can remove the entire headlight assembly from the front of the car and change the bulbs.

Answer by jonm
Submitted on 7/28/2006
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I recently bought a 2000 beetle and love except it too just started getting stuck in park. I have also noticed a delay in going into reverse. Kinda quirky if you ask me.

Answer by zerofish
Submitted on 7/29/2006
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If the light is on next to park on the shifter center console then the car does not realize the brake is engaged. With your foot on the brake pedal reach down under the steering wheel console about where the brake pedal would come back up. You should feel a little button about 1/2" long. Push it in with your finger towards the steering column. Slip your finger off and let the button pop back out. This will usually trigger/release the stuck solenoid in the switch and the car will realize the brake is engaged and let you move it from Park into Drive/Reverse

Answer by tkee
Submitted on 10/30/2006
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I have a question. I own a 2000 Beetle 1.8 Turbo. Recently when I have driven it for a while and stop, I go to start it up again and it won't turn over. I can tell it's trying to turn over, but won't. The engine light has now come on. It never hesitates when the engines cold. only warmed up. One time it started finally and the speedometer needle(choke) went up and down like crazy like someone was pumping the gas pedal.

Answer by lorna
Submitted on 2/2/2007
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there are many different problems VW just came out with a recall for the brake light and not going into gear problem so make sure you get to the dealership and get that at no cost to you!

Answer by Shepdog
Submitted on 4/29/2007
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Has anyone had a problem with a manual transmission not going into reverse. When you put it into reverse the car feels like it is in 3rd or 4th gear.