VW Golf MK7 - Sticking accelerator and dodgy washer jets

VW Golf MK7 - Sticking accelerator and dodgy washer jets

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Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Friday 14th February 2020
quotequote all
I have a 68 plate Golf 2.0 Tdi

I have noticed that when I take my foot off the gas, the car still goes by itself and the speed can even increase slightly until it comes to a hill. The revs seem to stay the same.
It's like the cruise control is on which it isn't.

Potentially dangerous I know. Next service not for another 3k miles.

Also the front wiper jets seem to have a mind of their own.

Nearside jet has just one weak jet instead of 2 and the offside or drivers side jet has stopped all together.

Can't be the weather as it's been mild last 2 days. Can't get at the tubes from the washer bottle as they are enclosed in the car somewhere. Bottle has plenty of fluid.

Just about have enough water from the nearside jet to clean the windscreen.

Not great for a 16 month old car.


Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Monday 17th February 2020
quotequote all
Now the driver side jet is dribbling water, but the passenger side has completely stopped.

Tried the wire down the hole to no avail.

Prised out the two jets from the bonnet enclosure and the small tubes are still firmly connected.

Just called my local (ish) main dealer. I can't take the car and wait as it's a diagnostic check which could take all day.

I can't take it on Saturday as they don't do diagnostics on a Saturday.

My wife can't give me a lift there/back as she is post major operation.

Half term this week so don't want to be stuck in the house everyday.

Main dealers - going the extra mile !

Called VW Assistance who will be here within 90 minutes. Whether they can fix it who knows.

I hate cars.

Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
VW Roadside van came out and cleaned out the washer jets.
Not as good as it should be, but working ok.

After 2 days passenger side jet now blocked again.

Driver's side still working, so can see where I'm going, but assume it's an offence for both NOT to be working ?


Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Friday 21st February 2020
quotequote all
xjay1337 said:
It's not really an offence ....... since I'm sure you can see where you are going even without any headlight washers.. !

As I said before - you need to speak to your local dealer, explain your situation and I'm sure they will be accomodating...........
They haven't proved to be very accommodating so far, can't take the car in during the week and wait, they don't do diagnostics on a Saturday.

It's a 50 mile round trip so that rules out a weekday.

Will wait for the next scheduled service (about 3k away) and ask them to change both washer jets (windscreen not headlight) then.

The VW Roadside chap said "diagnostics ?", what a load bow locks.

Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Saturday 22nd February 2020
quotequote all
Yes it is frustrating, why can't service providers go the extra mile, rather than stick to a job card or whatever ?

If/when the drivers side jet goes again, I will give the dealer another call.

It's just another job that I have to fit in with the usual household jobs, the school run, my job, etc.

Nobody said life was easy.

Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Wednesday 4th March 2020
quotequote all
Both washer jets gone again.

Booked in with VW dealer for next week as that's the soonest they had a courtesy car.

I asked if it would be under warranty - depends on what we find, for example, if you haven't been using VW approved screen wash, well.......

Who uses manufacturers screen wash ?!

I only use reputable brands anyway but not VW, it's screen wash with VW on the label.

I have been driving 40 years, never used manufacturers screen wash, and never had blocked washer jets.

Under warranty claims, can they say it's because I have used that nasty Car Plan, Halfords, etc screen wash ?

I thought a dealer can only "recommend" you use VW products, not insist on it ?

Will let you know what the issue was, what it cost etc.

Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Wednesday 4th March 2020
quotequote all
InitialDave said:
It's not the screenwash itself, as such, it's that certain different types of screenwash don't like being mixed and turn to a goo that doesn't flow well.


On your sticking throttle, bit of an obvious one, but have you checked your floor mat isn't interfering with the pedal?
I usually use Halfords' wash as it's easy to get and relatively cheap.

Yes my floor mat is fine.

Take my foot off the gas and the car still goes at the same speed, sometimes increasing speed by a couple of MPH. I have to apply the brakes gently to stop it.
Feels like cruise control is on, but I never use it.

Seems to be worse when the engine is cold.

Will get it looked at in the next service at 18k (now 14k)



Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Friday 6th March 2020
quotequote all
Olas said:
many DBW throttle pedals have a slight delay or 'buffer' built in to help the drive feel smoother.

use VagCom/RossTech/Carly to turn the delay off.
I did some "testing" this morning.

Took my foot off the gas completely in 3rd gear, the car drove itself (as if on Cruise Control) up a fairly steep hill. I was expecting the car to stall at any minute but it didn't.

I depressed the clutch and the rev counter went from around 1000 rpm to 1500 for a brief moment then returned to 1000.

I then found a flat straight road with virtually no traffic, changed up to 4th gear and about 23 mph, took my foot off the gas, revs steady at about 1200 rpm, the car went under its own power for about 600 yards (to remove the built up momentum argument) until I reached a junction and had to break.

The car never increases speed rapidly just a mile at a time. I never feel unsafe but something isn't right.

When I have my foot completely off the gas, should the rev counter show zero, or some reading (it's usually 1000 rpm) ?

The car is in for the windscreen washer jet on Wednesday March 11th so I will get them to look at that this issue as well.

The car is a 6 speed manual.

Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Saturday 7th March 2020
quotequote all
I can drive the car safely as the brakes still work, and the car does not suddenly increase in speed rapidly.

I thought it might be the Adaptive Cruise Control after reading the manual, but made sure that was turned off.

Not sure why I am perceived as not being proactive, I have asked for comments/suggestions on here to get a feel for what it might be prior to taking it the main dealer this coming Wednesday.

That's a 60 mile round trip, I am supposed to be at work and my wife can't drive at the moment as she is post cancer operation.

I will let you know what the dealer has to say about both the washer jets and the accelerator/speed issue.

Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Wednesday 11th March 2020
quotequote all
Here is the dealer summary:

Sticking accelerator - "If the revs are too low the car pick revs up to avoid stalling vehicle."

So the car driving itself and picking up speed is normal apparently.

Windscreen washer jets - "washer jets blocked, unblocked and tested"

It was a combination of external debris and non VW screen wash, so not covered under warranty.

If I continue to use non VW screenwash, no warranty claims will be met.

Been driving 40 years inc. VWs, and Audis, never had blocked washer jets before and never ever used manufacturers screen wash.

No warranty will cover external forces.

Therefore, do I continue with Halfords, Car Plan etc screen wash and take my chances, or make the extra time/effort to get VW Audi stuff and be covered (providing there is no external debris in there)

We then had a chat about non VW parts and non VW dealer servicing.

Cost of unblocking a tube - £70. £144 an hour labour rates.


Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Wednesday 11th March 2020
quotequote all
When the car is doing about 25 mph, revs are around 1000.
Dealer says it is normal.

I can live with it.

Had enough of cars for today.


Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Thursday 12th March 2020
quotequote all
Just to test the theory re VW screen wash, I have just ordered some online.

My "dilemma" now is whether to continue using the VW dealer or use the specialist I have found ?

The latter has Master Technicians, only use genuine VW parts and update the actual VW service history online thereby maintaining the VW warranty.

VW were very good at trying to steer me away from that option - as expected.

Whilst ever the car is under VW warranty, would you stick with dealer or try specialist ?

I still have a doubt over warranty claims if I use a specialist, regardless of the cost saving.


Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Saturday 14th March 2020
quotequote all
My Golf has a manufacturers warranty until October 2021.

If I still have it then (likely) I tend to extend the warranty for 1 more year then get a nearly new car (12 months old to reduce the depreciation hit).

Only main dealers can carry out warranty claim work, is that right ?

A works' colleague has suggested a main dealer that he uses for company car VW, which has always found to provide good customer service and only done the work needed.

All dealers seem to send you that video showing what will need doing in 6 months time and the cost.

I never have it done straight away unless it's a safety issue. I don't compromise on that.

Looks like this other main dealer is going to get an opportunity.


Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Saturday 14th March 2020
quotequote all
I got the car 12 months old from a VW dealer in Hertfordshire.

Magpie1862

Original Poster:

82 posts

57 months

Friday 17th April 2020
quotequote all
Well, the washer jets are playing up again.

Passenger side, nice strong V shaped jet.

Driver side, only one side of the V dribbling out.

I have only been using Quantum (VW) screen wash since it was fixed at the dealer.

I find it hard to believe that it's "external debris" in the system again.

I have been driving 40 years and had about 20 cars, prior to this Golf, not had one screen washer jet issue before.

There is enough water going on the screen to clear it but I just know that it's on its way out again.

I have to drive my wife to hospital for her cancer treatment (today) so it is essential travel.

My mates have all said "Well you would insist on buying another VW, for it's perceived build quality and general reliability"

Both of which are massively undeserved apparently.

I have had 5 VWs before, all of which have had problems. Time to learn my lesson.

It's due the first service in around 2k miles, so let's hope the dealer (trying another one that has been recommended to me) can fix it again. No doubt it won't be under warranty - again.

I really like the reviews and look of the 2020 MK8 Golf, but won't be buying one.

Might go Japanese for the first time ever, Nissan, Mazda, or perhaps a Volvo.