Volkswagen California: Backfiring Causes

  One of the more jarring vehicle problems that you can experience is a backfire.  It sounds like a shotgun blast and can scare you if you’re not prepared for it.  If your Volkswagen California is backfiring, common causes include improper engine timing, bad spark plugs, engine running rich, and plug wires (if so equipped). … Read more

Volkswagen California:  Oil in Coolant Diagnosis

If you’ve recently checked your Volkswagen California’s coolant, and it looks almost like it has butter in it, then you probably have oil in it.  Oil in your coolant is most often caused by a blown head gasket. It can also be caused by a cracked head or even a bad radiator (well sorta, you’d … Read more

Volkswagen California:  Overheating → Symptoms + Causes

One of the worst problems that can happen to your Volkswagen California is overheating.  Common symptoms of overheating include smoke coming from under the hood, a pegged temperature gauge, and (eventually) a blown head gasket. If your California is overheating, stop driving it immediately to avoid damaging the engine. Ignoring an overheating engine can lead … Read more

Volkswagen California: Window Won’t Go Up Diagnosis

Your Volkswagen California’s windows protect you from the elements, and they protect the interior from damage.  If your window won’t go up, there are a few common issues that can cause this problem.  These include a blown fuse, bad window motor, wiring issues, and the switch.     Power Window Won’t Go Up Causes:  Volkswagen California … Read more

Volkswagen California Bad Ignition Switch: Symptoms, Causes, + How to Fix

Your Volkswagen California‘s ignition switch is one of the most vital items on the entire vehicle.  If it fails, the entire vehicle won’t be able to run.  We’ve compiled some of the most common symptoms of a bad ignition switch.  These include stalling issues, not starting, and no power to the radio or accessories. Function of an … Read more

Volkswagen California Bad Throttle Body: Symptoms + Diagnosis

If your Volkswagen California has a faulty throttle body, it can cause it to run terribly.  Common symptoms of a bad throttle body include dirt and grime, the check engine light, and an erratic idle. Your California’s throttle body controls the amount of air that enters the engine.  You control the throttle body position with … Read more

Volkswagen California: Bad Thermostat → Symptoms & Diagnosis

The thermostat in your Volkswagen California’s engine plays a crucial role in regulating its temperature. A malfunctioning thermostat may lead to various issues and should be dealt with immediately. Some of the most common symptoms of a bad thermostat are no heat, a spiked temp gauge, a blown head gasket, and more. A thermostat failure … Read more

Volkswagen California:  Bad Serpentine Belt

One of the most common issues with a vehicle is a bad serpentine belt.  If you suspect that your Volkswagen California has this problem, we’ll give you the common symptoms below, as well as how to replace it. The good news is that serpentine belts are cheap, and in the grand scheme of things, relatively … Read more