Life with TDI swap # 1 (Page 8/11)
CoolBlue87GT JUL 12, 10:01 AM
A few days ago I broke the switch for the cruise control, for three years it was fine with velcro to the top of the ashtray door. I damaged the ribbon cable, long story short, I bought a used replacement switch, modified the housing as was before. I was going to mount it in the same location. When I looked the space over, I discovered it would fit inside where the ashtray was. I add a layer of plastic foam, carefully worked the ribbon cable into the space and the switch fits like a glove. Can shut the door when not using.

When I gave it a test drive, visions of 007 reaching for a secret switch came to mind. lol



It works great now, the week w/o the cruise working was tough, as I've been so used to using it. Using the pedal and my brain to maintain speed was so foreign to me. I was hating to drive. Don't know if others could relate to this feeling.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 07-12-2016).]

hnthomps JUL 21, 08:06 PM
I did something similar when I went to an electronic cruise control on my 88 Mera. Since I had just installed the F355 interior I located the new cruise switch in the ash tray and when the cover is closed no control is visible.

Nelson
CoolBlue87GT OCT 14, 02:26 AM
Had a rare day off, cleaned up the car, it's been running good. Last week The computer was throwing a code, to trouble shoot it, I contacted Bmwguru for some hints, he suggested replacing the diesel fuel filter and cleaning the K&M air-filter, as both could be throwing the code. I picked up the k&m cleaning/recharging kit, the air filter was very dirty. The cleaning process was interesting, the cleaning spray removed alot of the dirt, rinsed with hose, repeated one more time, rinsed and let dry. The recharge oil was next, sprayed evenly, let sit for ten minutes, then check for even coverage. The fuel filter was next to change out, their are 4 hoses, 2 are removed with hose clamps, the other 2 are connected with a clip that is hard to remove & reinstall. Long story short, I replaced two O-rings that came with the new filter, filled the filter with brake fluid. Started the car, I expected the brake fluid would make the engine smoke, to my surprise, no smoke at all.

Checked the computer again, the code was pointing to the mass airflow sensor, replaced it, checked the computer, that took car of the error code.

Thanks again for Bmwguru for taking the time from his busy work day to field my three phone calls. What a great guy.

Here's a short video showing the buffer. Sure turns waxing the car a quick / easy job.

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 10-14-2016).]

thebigarniedog OCT 15, 07:47 AM
Never saw the gauge cluster on this swap. Specifically how, if at all it is integrated into the fiero dash. Not sure why the decision was made to use the 01m auto tragic in this swap rather than the bullet proof 5 speed.
CoolBlue87GT OCT 15, 08:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by thebigarniedog:

Never saw the gauge cluster on this swap. Specifically how, if at all it is integrated into the fiero dash. Not sure why the decision was made to use the 01m auto tragic in this swap rather than the bullet proof 5 speed.



The gauge cluster is straight from the Jetta,

( photo hosting error - will try to recover asap )

Quote from bmwguru, from build post Ref the trans:

I've had no major issues with a bunch of the 01M transmissions. The way to prolong the life of the transmission is to service it every 50,000 miles. When the transmission starts giving you issues, fix the problem....I've seen people come into my shop that need a trans because it has been slipping or not shifting for weeks. I normally call them a dumbass to their face and give them a bill for a few thousand. The ribbons go bad but are an easy fix. The speed sensors sometimes crap out, but they are easy too. The only pain in the ass job that happens on these transmissions are the vss gears breaking. Cheap part, expensive labor.

We would have preferred using a manual, but the Jetta and the Fiero were both autos so the decision was made for us.

Like I said before, the only people with issues with this transmission aren't properly maintaining their Jetta's or Golf's.

Dave

[This message has been edited by CoolBlue87GT (edited 08-05-2017).]

thebigarniedog OCT 16, 09:55 AM
Thanks for the picture. Certainly is a nice car and a tdi swap is awesome. Politely disagree with his assessment of the 01m. There is enough available on tdiclub that shows otherwise.
CoolBlue87GT OCT 16, 12:24 PM

quote
Originally posted by thebigarniedog:

Thanks for the picture. Certainly is a nice car and a tdi swap is awesome. Politely disagree with his assessment of the 01m. There is enough available on tdiclub that shows otherwise.



I'm a member of the TDIclub site, have seen the various postings, all I know is I've driven this car daily for the past 3 1/2 years, the trans has been doing fine. I don't drive like a teenager, (much), which I'm sure is helping the transmission last. I do enjoy having an automatic, my other Formula has a five speed, with my short commute to work, I encounter about 10 - 12 traffic lights, of which I catch a few red. The content manual shifting I'd be doing gets old after awhile.

Along with using the cruise control and the automatic, they let me to concentrate on other more important things like watching out for the older drivers around here that drift out of their lanes or run lights/stop signs.
CoolBlue87GT DEC 07, 09:04 PM
Nothing new to report except for the car has been performing great, had another rare day off, waxed the paint again.
CoolBlue87GT JAN 08, 12:19 PM
Swapped out battery, started dying once a week, had it tested, only had half it's rated CCA. I'm sure the bunch of times over the past few years I left parking lights on all day, draining down the old battery contributed to it's crapping out. I've heard where this type of battery doesn't like to be drained dead. New one came with terminals on the opposite side, which worked out good, as it moved the cables away from the hood strut.



We had a 35 degree this morning, when I turned the key, saw the glow-plug symbol light up for the first time since owning the car. The engine started right away.
busa_powered JAN 08, 03:26 PM
Have you taken it to the track?