Volkswagen New Beetle. Manual - part 31

linings 

Linings or pads glazed 

Replace pads or linings 

Worn drums 

Reface or replace drums 

Excessive Pedal Travel 

Partial brake system failure 

Check fluid and pipes 

Insufficient fluid in master cylinder 

See MASTER CYLINDERS or BRAKE 

SYSTEM 

Air trapped in system 

See BRAKE BLEEDING or BRAKE SYSTEM 

Rear brakes not adjusted 

See Adjustments in DRUM BRAKES or 

BRAKE SYSTEM 

Bent shoe or lining 

See DRUM BRAKES or BRAKE SYSTEM 

Plugged master cylinder cap 

See MASTER CYLINDERS or BRAKE 

SYSTEM 

Improper brake fluid 

Replace brake fluid 

Pedal Travel Decreasing 

Compensating port plugged 

See MASTER CYLINDERS or BRAKE 

SYSTEM 

Swollen cup in master cylinder 

See MASTER CYLINDERS or BRAKE 

SYSTEM 

Master cylinder piston not returning 

See MASTER CYLINDERS or BRAKE 

SYSTEM 

Weak shoe retracting springs 

See DRUM BRAKES BRAKE SYSTEM 

Wheel cylinder piston sticking 

See DRUM BRAKES or BRAKE SYSTEM 

Dragging Brakes 

Master cylinder pistons not 
returning 

See MASTER CYLINDERS BRAKE SYSTEM 

Restricted brake lines or hoses 

Check line routing 

Incorrect parking brake adjustment 

See DRUM BRAKES BRAKE SYSTEM 

Parking Brake cables frozen 

See DRUM BRAKES BRAKE SYSTEM 

Incorrect installation of inboard disc 
pad 

Remove and replace correctly 

Power booster output rod too long 

See POWER BRAKE UNITS BRAKE 

SYSTEM 

Brake pedal not returning freely 

See DISC, DRUM BRAKES BRAKE SYSTEM 

Brakes Grab or Uneven Braking Action 

Malfunction of combination valve 

See CONTROL VALVE or BRAKE SYSTEM 

Malfunction of power brake unit 

See POWER BRAKE UNITS or BRAKE 

SYSTEM 

Binding brake pedal 

See DISC, DRUM BRAKES or BRAKE 

SYSTEM 

Pulsation or Roughness 

 

1998 Chevrolet Pickup C1500 

GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures

  

ENGINE MECHANICAL 

COOLING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING 

COOLING SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING 

Uneven pad wear caused by caliper 

See DISC BRAKES or BRAKE SYSTEM 

Uneven rotor wear 

See DISC BRAKES or BRAKE SYSTEM 

Drums out-of-round 

Reface or replace drums 

NOTE:

This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended to be specific to any 
unique situation or individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Trouble 
Shooting information is to provide a list of common causes to problem 
symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT, 
DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing. 

CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSE 

CORRECTION 

Overheating 

Coolant Leak 

Fill/Pressure Test System 

A/C Condenser Fins Clogged 

Remove/Clean Condenser 

Radiator Fins Clogged 

Remove/Clean Radiator 

Thermostat Stuck Closed 

Replace Thermostat 

Clogged Cooling System Passages 

Clean/Flush Cooling System 

Water Pump Malfunction 

Replace Water Pump 

Fan Clutch Malfunction 

Replace Fan Clutch 

Retarded Ignition Timing 

Reset Ignition Timing 

Cooling Fan Malfunction 

Test Cooling Fan/Circuit 

Cooling Fan Motor Malfunction 

Test Fan Motor 

Cooling Fan Relay Malfunction 

Test Fan Relay 

Faulty Radiator Cap 

Replace Radiator Cap 

Broken/Slipping Fan Belt 

Replace Fan Belt 

Restricted Exhaust 

Repair Exhaust System 

Corrosion 

Impurities In Coolant 

Clean/Flush System 

Coolant Leakage 

Damaged hose 

Replace Hose 

Leaky Water Pump 

Replace Water Pump 

Damaged Radiator Seam 

Replace/Repair Radiator 

Leaky Thermostat Cover 

Replace Thermostat Cover 

Cylinder Head Problem 

Check Head/Head Gasket 

Leaky Freeze Plugs 

Replace Freeze Plugs 

 

1998 Chevrolet Pickup C1500 

GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures

  

GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING 

BASIC GASOLINE ENGINE - MECHANICAL TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART 

Recovery System Inoperative 

Loose and/or Defective Radiator Cap 

Replace Radiator Cap 

Overflow Tube Clogged and/or Leaking 

Repair Tube 

Recovery Bottle Vent Restricted 

Clean Vent 

No Heater Core Flow 

Collapsed Heater Hose 

Replace Heater Hose 

Plugged Heater Core 

Clean/Replace Heater Core 

Faulty Heater Valve 

Replace Heater Valve 

NOTE:

This is GENERAL information. This article is not intended to be specific to any 
unique situation or individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Trouble 
Shooting information is to provide a list of common causes to problem 
symptoms. For model-specific Trouble Shooting, refer to SUBJECT, 
DIAGNOSTIC, or TESTING articles available in the section(s) you are accessing. 

CONDITION & POSSIBLE CAUSE 

CORRECTION 

Engine Lopes At Idle 

Intake manifold-to-head leaks 

Replace manifold gasket, See ENGINES 

Blown head gasket 

Replace head gasket, See ENGINES 

Worn timing gears, chain or sprocket 

Replace gears, chain or sprocket 

Worn camshaft lobes 

Replace camshaft, See ENGINES 

Overheated engine 

Check cooling system, See COOLING 

Blocked crankcase vent valve 

Remove restriction 

Leaking EGR valve 

Repair leak and/or replace valve 

Faulty fuel pump 

Replace fuel pump 

Engine Has Low Power 

Leaking fuel pump 

Repair leak and/or replace fuel pump 

Excessive piston-to-bore clearance 

Install larger pistons, See ENGINES 

Sticking valves or weak valve springs 

Check valve train components, See 

ENGINES 

Incorrect valve timing 

Reset valve timing, See ENGINES 

Worn camshaft lobes 

Replace camshaft, See ENGINES 

Blown head gasket 

Replace head gasket. See ENGINES. 

Clutch slipping 

Adjust pedal and/or replace components, See 

ENGINES 

Engine overheating 

Check cooling system, See COOLING 

Auto. Trans. pressure regulator valve 
faulty 

Replace pressure regulator valve 

 

1998 Chevrolet Pickup C1500 

GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures

  

Auto. Trans. fluid level too low 

Add fluid as necessary 

Improper vacuum diverter valve 
operation 

Replace vacuum diverter valve 

Vacuum leaks 

Inspect vacuum system and repair as 

required 

Leaking piston rings 

Replace piston rings, See ENGINES 

Faulty High Speed Operation 

Low fuel pump volume 

Replace fuel pump 

Leaking valves or worn 

Replace valves and/or springs, See 

ENGINES 

Incorrect valve timing 

Reset valve timing,See ENGINES 

Intake manifold restricted 

Remove restriction 

Worn distributor shaft 

Replace distributor 

Faulty Acceleration 

Improper fuel pump stroke 

Remove pump and reset pump stroke 

Incorrect ignition timing 

Reset ignition timing, See TUNE-UP 

Leaking valves 

Replace valves, See ENGINES 

Worn fuel pump diaphragm or piston 

Replace diaphragm or piston 

Intake Backfire 

Improper ignition timing 

Reset ignition timing, See TUNE-UP 

Faulty accelerator pump discharge 

Replace accelerator pump 

Improper choke operation 

Check choke and adjust as required 

Defective EGR valve 

Replace EGR valve 

Fuel mixture too lean 

Reset air/fuel mixture, See TUNE-UP 

Choke valve initial clearance too large 

Reset choke valve initial clearance 

Exhaust Backfire 

Vacuum leak 

Inspect and repair vacuum system 

Faulty vacuum diverter valve 

Replace vacuum diverter valve 

Faulty choke operation 

Check choke and adjust as required 

Exhaust system leak 

repair exhaust system leak 

Engine Detonation 

Ignition timing too far advanced 

Reset ignition timing, See TUNE-UP 

Faulty ignition system 

Check ignition timing, See TUNE-UP 

Spark plugs loose or faulty 

Retighten or replace plugs 

Fuel delivery system clogged 

Inspect lines, pump and filter for clog 

EGR valve inoperative 

Replace EGR valve 

PCV system inoperative 

Inspect and/or replace hoses or valve 

Vacuum leaks 

Check vacuum system and repair leaks 

Excessive combustion chamber deposits 

Remove built-up deposits 

 

1998 Chevrolet Pickup C1500 

GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures