Weak Rear Screen Demister

[sciroccy]

Hello All,

This is my first post here having only become a Scirocco MK1 owner about 2 years ago and it has only just hit the road as my daily commuting car. It had been parked up in by the previous few owners for 7 to 10 years. Now that I'm using it every day, my defect list is getting longer and longer and I need some help to make it useable throughout the winter.

The rear screen demister works but it is very very weak and doesn;t clear the screen at all, it only works just enough to let me know it works!

So my question is...is there some relay that may be corroded or an earth lead that needs cleaning up? I don't have any voltage checking device but was hoping that it would be something straight forward that would allow me to change lanes on the motorway wothout risking my life and that of teh other drivers! (did i mention that the front screen blower caught fire last week as well?? I have a new one and will work out how to replace it later (or ask on here again!))

Thank you all in advance!

I have attached a picture of the fusebox (which is new becvause of the usual water leak which made the old one rust away....which makes me think it might be fusebox related). I have also attached a photo of the car after it's first wash and after I'd just been for my first drive....it actually looks way better in the photo than in real life...unfortunately! It's a 1980 GLi accoriding to the log book but it has a leather interior, the passnger side door mirror and a storm badge on the back...th eonly thing missing is the front Storm spoiler. Looks like someone went to a lot of trouble to make it look like a storm unless the first owner went for every option going!

[the edmundator]

Have you checked the wires where they bridge the gap between the boot lid and the body of the car? Those wires often get damaged and may have been badly repaired in the past.

[ianaudia4]

Welcome along mate, looks a nice car. Moved to section on electrics.

[PeteGLi]

I don't think Storms were described as such by the DVLA, so it could well be one.

However, someone has fitted later wheels as no Mk1 Scirocco had the P-slots.

[sciroccy]

Thanks for the prompt responses.

I've checked the wires near the boot and they all appear to be ok. Is there a relay I could check or replace?

Definitely not original wheels but I quite like how they look so will leave them on ( at least until the new tyres wear out and I can't afford to replace them just yet)

How do I work out if it is actually a real Storm? It could well be otherwise someone has gone to way too much effort to make it look like one.

...and another thing, is anyone else shocked by how many people have no idea what it is???

[the edmundator]

If it's a genuine GLI then it's actually rarer (but probably not any more valuable) than a Storm.

[jimmy h]

A true MK 1 Storm is identified by it's DVLA Log Book as 'Storm H'.

[the edmundator]

A true MK 1 Storm is identified by it's DVLA Log Book as 'Storm H'.

I'd treat what the log book says as a guide rather than the truth. Many Sciroccos (mk1&2) are incorrectly described on the V5C. The only way to be sure is to check with the factory.

[jimmy h]

Back before forums like this existed, I was an avid reader of Volkswagen Audi Car and Volkswagen Motoring magazines.

When I was searching for a Storm I recall an article from one of them stating that the Log Book should say Storm H, my log book reflects this.
I also note when you look on the 'How many left' site that it lists them as Storm H, and is that (site) not supported by DVLA information?

[the edmundator]

DVLA information is only as reliable as the data they receive from whoever registers the car in the first place. We have seen several examples of GTIIs described as Scalas (or vice versa) and manual cars registered as automatic, as well as Storms described as GLIs.

Anyway, back to the electrical problem...

[jimmy h]

Back to the electrical problem - Sciroccy are you sure the 'Grid' (metallic lines) that connect to the supply terminals on the rear screen are intact? 30 year + old cars they could have degraded?
Continuity tester/resistance reading on a multimeter will confirm this. I'm sure you can buy a metal based paint that sorts this.

Storm issue: Ed I find it very hard to believe that the original supplier of information to the DVLA (upon first registration) in this case Volksagen dealers, could get wrong the product they are dealing? maybe once or twice on a 'bad' day but across a whole model range?

[sciroccy]

As a bit of background, here's a run down of the current list of things to do...

Weak rear screen demister (number one item at the moment due to the imminent arrival of frosty weather!)
Burnt out heater blower
Brake vacuum leak - I can hear it when I press the brake, I suspect it may be the servo but I need to test it's not just the vacuum pipe and the brakes are weak and idling becomes lumpy when you press the brake peddle)
Rain water leaking in from top of boot lid (I know where this is coming from, just need time to get it sorted)

Missing parts -
Storm gear knob
Spare wheel
Passenger side window winder mechanism
Under dash trays (both sides, black)
Back seat back cover
...and perhaps some fuse box relay to fix the demister problem

...and there's some small pipe missing from the engine bay which I have no idea what it is...will post a photo in a bit so someone more knowledgable than me can help

[sciroccy]

Thanks jimmy h, will check out the terminals tomorrow. I really need to get it "winter proof" soon.

Another slightly unrelated issue...it sounds quite "tappetty" so I need to get that checked out too.

[sciroccy]

...and a huge thank you to everyone for their help, knowledge and expertise!

[the edmundator]

I've sent you a PM regarding spare wheels (I have a lot of wheels taking up space).