New car, few things to find out...

[gti25]

Hi I'v recently got my first gti 3 door 8v, lovely clean standard car nothing major wrong with it and it drives really well.

First issue, the body work is great but there was a small rust bubble on the right rear arch, so i sent it in to get painted. Anyway its been painted really badly and the plastic arch was screwed back in from the side!! Really wasn't happy so I'v brought some new arches and i'm going to take all the bits off myself so its get done properly. really need a link to guide is there is one around or some pics of how to get the arches on and off and how to fix rusty clipping points if that's what i find under there.

Second issue is the ABS doesn't work. The light doesn't come on though. Sensors seem cheap so shall i just change them all or could something else be wrong?

Thanks!

[gti gaz]

As for abs check the bulb some people dissconect them, best way to find out if you have a fault is via code reader cheap on gaybay about 20/25 quid mark can be a usfull little tool to have kicking about

[Luke1981]

 The plastic arches are riveted on from inside the wheel arch and will need drilling out to remove them. Give the area a really good clean and treat the rivet holes with a rust inhibitor. Attach the new plastic arches and rivet them back on.

Be mindful that the wheel arch trims usually hide rust patches which will need treating.

In relation to the ABS, run a vagcom test or just change the sensors and see how that works       

[todd]

Remove the arches and leave them off also if your brave and very carefull I would remove the sill covers to check for rust and then waxoil or stone chip it all the plastic covers are water traps and hide rust well. As for the poor paint job and screwing the arch down I'd go back and make them refund you some money

[thai-wronghorse]

I hope you didn't pay someone to bodge up the repair work?

[GTI JIMMER]

By the way, the ABS might be disconnected at the dash, worth checking.

[gti25]

Hi thanks for the replies!
When starting the car the ABS and airbag lights both come on then go out once the car is started, I guess that rules out it being disconnected. I'l change the sensors and see.

As for the paint and arch, I was very dissapointed as the guy was recomended to me and I'v seen his work before, I thought basic stuff like removing trim and bumpers didnt need to be mentioned to a pro. Must be just 'oh its and old car' attitude. grrr.

Hmm I'm not so sure I'l take off the seals, out of sight out mind is good for me as I wasnt hoping for a massive project. The temptation may be too great though. 

I'l probably have some more question when I get around to sorting these things out. 

[jayh]

i would check all the connections at the back of the abs and airbag lights as if the brown cable at the back of the lights is cut,it makes things look exactly as they should ,come on when ignition is on for a second the go out ,also defo run a vagcom check ,

not sure this is good info to put on here as it mite help the bodgers out there

[gti25]

Ah thanks! How do i get to the back of the light? Thought i'd ask before breaking all the trim

cheers!

[Edwh0re]

It just leavers out, carefully...