Andy T

My alarm with remote central locking packed up recently, so i'm having to use the key! I was thinking of buying a remote locking kit and fitting it myself, because I don't want the expense of having a new alarm system fitted at the moment. Can anyone recommend an aftermarket kit for the corrado that they have fitted theirselves and is reliable?

Cheers lads. ECP don't sell the back plates anymore, but they tell me the dealers still list them as current, £14 + vat each.

One of my rear disc shields is badly corroded, I broke it off when removing the brake disc. What I didn't expect is that the shield is bolted on behind the stub axle by the main axle bolts! Those bolts are badly corroded/seized so I'd rather not have to touch them, I know they are there to keep stones and blasts of water off the discs and away from the bearing seal, but has anybody run their C without them for a period of time without them, any problems?

The same happened to me on a g60 with 10mm longer bolts, they bent the abs rotor, which caused the abs to malfunction when coming to a stop. I moved the abs sensor further away from the rotor but things got worse, the only solution in the end was to have a new rotor fitted (hub removed from car) very expensive job! So be very careful with long wheelbolts!

I've recently got VAG-COM, so I can help out in the Manchester area, have the OBD2 lead. I had a few issues using it with Windows Vista at first (Using a USB>serial cable off ebay, and VAG-COM 409), here's a few tips if you plan to do the same - Make sure the cable comes with a driver suitable for Vista, install this first Install the Vagcom software in a folder directly in the root 'C' drive, i.e. C:\VAGCOM\ (don't install in C:\program files) After VAG-Com software is first installed, use the 'Windows compatibility wizard' on the VAG-COM shortcut (see windows help for a link to it) when using the Wizard, select 'Settings for windows XP SP2' and 'run program as Administrator'. When the Wizard has completed, VAG-COM should work fine from its shortcut without freezing/crashing. Also as mentioned in other posts, don't forget to change the latency timer of the USB serial port to '5' if you want to read ABS codes - (Control panel/hardware/devicemanager/ports/ 'USB serial port' advanced tab)

I checked my service book and receipts, it says replace every 20,000 miles but it was never done at any of the eight VAG Service's it had - Strange for the stealers not to take the opportunity to extract some more cash from a corrado owner

I was doing an oil change on the VR yesterday, when I thought "I better fit that fuel filter I bought two years ago" Anyway, the corrosion on the body of the filter was pretty awful, it had just started to rust through at the bottom where it's hidden by the plastic housing! It was damp where fuel had started to sweat through. The rust had also spread to the inlet pipe which made getting the pipe off really difficult without damaging it. The service history says it was replaced five years ago, but it is a VAG Hengst filter so I'm wondering if it's the original 13 yr old one! I cut it in half to see how dirty it was inside :shock: see pics below. Last time I cut a fuel filter in half it was spotless!

Had two windscreens fitted, neither came with new lower trims, the originals were put back on. They are normally held on by clips, but sounds like some are bonded back on after a windscreen change, making them difficult to remove without breaking.

Had my windscreen done at RAC yesterday, no longer recommending them because I have problems with glue showing around the outer seal, and wind noise from a small gap on the passenger side (admittedly i've fared much better than some!) It's annoying because last time the screen alignment & seals were done perfect on the g60 (bar the small leak) and the old screen on this car was a replacement when I bought it, that too was well fitted and had no glue on the outer seal at all, it was a snug fit because it held itself in.] http://the-corrado.net/.archive/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=75328&p=901145#p901145

Had a new screen fitted at RAC yesterday, fraid to report that they've not done as good a job as they did a few years back on my G60 :( They've used glue or sealant to hold down the rubber trim where it starts to curve down the o/side A pillar, to about half way down, the glue is showing around the edges, hope it will clean off! I've also got a wind whistling noise when driving above 30mph, think its due to a small gap between the n/side screen trim and rubber seal where it should overlap, can only think that the screen is slightly off centre :mad: At least the top trim and seal is neat and hasn't blown off on the motorway, as has happened to a few people on here! last time I was at RAC I was delt with by the fitter that did the job and was shown the job inside the workshop when it was finished to make sure I was happy, all I got this time was an uninterested desk person who seemed to know nothing about the job, the car was put outside in the rain which made it impossible to properly check the car over for problems before driving away. If I can't put the issues right myself I will take it back to them, but imagine all they would do is take the seal off and reglue it and fill any gaps with black silicone :scratch: Avoid! EDIT : I've also noticed that the lower middle screen trim is now cracked (the bit near the wiper arms) careless fuckers!

Investigated droning noise from rear brakes... found the friction material had come away from the backing plate on one of the pads, and cracked in two pieces! Can't tell what make the pads were. Attempted to fit new pads, but caliper piston was seized so wouldn't wind back in, broke my caliper rewind tool in the process :( So now need new caliper, and a new rewind tool! £80 for a new caliper, might have to look at mk4 ones...

Nice one, might be a genuine screen from VW then. Does it say VW on the glass?

Taking my chances with RAC, they managed to get authorisation from my insurer to pay the full amount less the £60 excess. I've took the 'A' Pillar trims off to avoid any possible damage/scratching to them. They are very easy to remove, no need to do anything with B pillar trim! Also bought a new outer seal & top trim from VW, in case RAC haven't. Only cost £28 in total for both. btw, the left & right trims were £45 each! the dealer wasn't sure if they were still available. So its fingers crossed for monday!

EDIT : Looking for a good windscreen fitting place with a workshop, other than Autoglass/RAC - Cheers!

Good point that, a proper OE spec screen shouldnt have any messy looking bits in it. Went to VAG dealer today to price up a new windscreen, £206 inc. VAT (not as bad as expected) they have stock in this country but apparently they are obsolete now! The rubber seal was about £23 (available) top trim £9 (available) left & right trims £44 (getting back to me about those). They list adhesive & cutting wire also. I'm going to get quotes from RAC & Autoglass, and find out what they are paying/charging for the actual screen, and what make etc. Anyone been mad enough to consider doing the job themselves?

Hi Thats what the guy at Bosch UK told me. It makes sense. All the oil and crankcase particles will jam the shaft. The lubed ISV lasted about 3 months, then the car suddently started stalling occasionally between gearchanges and idling low, and the low speed throttle hesitation came back. I've just fitted a second hand ISV that was in good nick, just cleaned and not lubed this time!. The idle is back to its normal smooth self, but i've still got the hesitation issue, on and off the throttle at low speeds, when engine is either cold or warmed up. :(

If it is marked with 'Sekurit' on the bottom of the passenger side, then it is a proper OE screen. If its unmarked or another make, it could be a pattern screen which causes problems in itself. I'd take it into the depot if your able to, more chance of them putting it right properly.

When I had mine done at RAC a few years back, they kept it in the depot for 5 hours in total to let the adhesive go off properly. They also secured the whole trim/seal down with masking tape for my journey home, they must of had some experience with bits flying off before! I drove home pretty slowly. It did work though, never had a problem with the trim or seal coming out. What make of screen did they fit btw?

From everything I've read, i'm not going to even bother! Does anyone know a corrado friendly Insurer that uses RAC for widscreens, or even lets you choose your own repairer? sods law that my MOT is due before my Insurance renewal..

I need my windscreen replacing, and my Insurer (Brentacre, Highway) now uses Autoglass.. there's now way i'm taking my car there after what I've read about them. I'm considering moving Insurers to someone who uses RAC, does anyone know of another insurer that uses them? I tried RAC insurance but the quote was 4 times more than i'm paying now!

I need to get my windscreen replaced, my Insurer 'Highway' now uses Autoglass, a couple of years ago it was RAC. If I use a different company, they only pay £100 towards the cost! Can anyone recommend a particular Autoglass centre in the Manchester/Stockport/Northwest area, that did a good job of fitting their windscreen? and did they use a Sekurit screen or something else? Thanks

I've noticed on a couple of corrado's that the A pillar trims have been damaged (probably when the old screen has been cut out with a tool) leaving jagged edges which looks really shit. My VR needs a new screen now so I think I'll remove the A pillar trims before I take it in. My G60 windscreen developed a small leak from the top near the rear view mirror, water would drip on the gearnob after a heavy/prolonged downpour! I took it back to RAC, they put a hose on the seal for hours, but sods law, not a single drip in the car!

I've had problems with the heated mirrors before, could be corrosion on the spade connectors on the back of the glass, or failed elements. Not sure why the rear screen would be slow to clear, do you have a multimeter? I could check the voltage/current draw across mine for reference.

What did you use to straighten it? Would be interesting to know, when I tried I couldn't find enough room to get in there with any of the tools I had, ended up taking the hub off !

Alright Bron! what are you driving now? Lucky for me she paid up last week, just waiting to get it in the paintshop now :)