Volkswagen California: P0562 – System Voltage Low

P0562 is a common OBD-II trouble code.  It’s a general code, which means that it means the same thing for any vehicle, including the Volkswagen California.  P0562 indicates that the system voltage is below 10 volts for a solid minute.  With the engine running, the system voltage should be 14.1-14.4 volts, and it’s typically caused … Read more

Volkswagen California:  Signs of a Bad Water Pump

Your Volkswagen California’s water pump is one of the most crucial parts of the engine.  If it doesn’t pump water through the engine, it’s going to overheat and do a lot of damage.  Typical signs of a bad water pump include overheating, white smoke, a bad smell, rough idle, and more. A water pump works … Read more

Volkswagen California: Running Hot → Causes

If your Volkswagen California is running hot, it is a serious problem.  If it gets too hot, it leads to overheating.  A hot engine is usually caused by a few different things, such as the thermostat, water pump, radiator, or outside conditions.     Volkswagen California Running Hot Symptoms Obviously, the main symptom of running … Read more

Volkswagen California Rod Knocking Diagnosis

A rod knock is a very serious problem.  If your Volkswagen California has a knocking rod, it’s almost always going to be caused by a failure of the rod bearing or the rod caps (leading to a spun bearing) or lack of oil.   If you do have a rod knock, don’t ignore it for … Read more

Volkswagen California: Bad Torque Converter → Symptoms + Diagnosis

Your Volkswagen California’s torque converter is responsible for converting the energy generated by the engine at the flywheel and transferring it to the transmission, creating a bridge between the engine and the transmission.   In the Volkswagen California, a bad torque converter is often caused by bad transmission fluid, worn clutches, bad seals, or loose … Read more

Volkswagen California Burning Smell: Causes + How to Fix

A burning smell is one of the most troublesome problems you can experience in a vehicle.  If your Volkswagen California has a burning smell, there are many potential causes.   Typically, the smell is caused by some type of fluid (oil, trans fluid, etc…) hitting the exhaust or other hot parts of the engine or … Read more

Volkswagen California:  Burning Oil Diagnosis

  The engine burning oil is one of the most common problems that a vehicle can encounter, particularly one with high mileage.  If your Volkswagen California is burning oil it is typically caused by piston rings or valve guides.     How Much Oil Consumption is Normal? Most auto manufacturers are hesitant to tell you … Read more