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Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:35 am

Hi Mike/bookwus,

Sometimes in the OEM automotive parts world, especially with the newer style computer parts lookup systems, invariably, the diagrams made for the OEM's have some parts left off, by design or by mistake. The OEM's have this done for them, out of house, so to speak. Usually, when this happens, if you have a part number the dealer can still check inventory without having to resort to the diagrams. The usual answer is "If it isn't on the diagram, then it isn't available". My answer is, how long have you been in the parts business, and could you check availability on this part number for me?

When I was a parts manager a few years back, KIA was making the transition from parts manuals to computer digitized parts lookup. Many parts were left off of the diagrams and all of us parts managers at the time gave our service and parts reps hell for it. 95% of the parts left off the diagrams were still available, but our only recourse was to go back to the older parts lookup to get the part number. However, for 30-year old parts the story may be different,,, and the older microphish and readers may be gone,,,,, but there again, if you have a part number to start with, like ETKA seems to suggest,,,,, 8) . It'd be funny to find out that VW still has 10000 of those clips in shiney NOS condition just sitting in a warehouse.

When all else fails, good used parts are worth looking for. Glad you found them.

Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:36 am

Hiya Pat,

Hmmmmm.....interesting information regarding the availability of the part. I do have another VW dealer in the area and when I'm in his neighborhood I'll pay the parts counter a visit and see what they can turn up on their computer screen.

Fahr: Unless VW changed the flaps in a significant manner (I'm more familiar with earlier models) I can't imagine that you would not need #35. It's the bracket that connects the flap arms to make them work in tandem. In turn the bracket is also connected to the linkage arm which runs along the back of the fan shroud.

Kelley: Sounds like a very reasonable explanation for the situation. Now I just need somebody to come up with a VW part number for that clip so I can test your theory.

Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:42 am

Bookwus wrote: Hiya Pat,....

Fahr: Unless VW changed the flaps in a significant manner (I'm more familiar with earlier models) I can't imagine that you would not need #35. It's the bracket that connects the flap arms to make them work in tandem. In turn the bracket is also connected to the linkage arm which runs along the back of the fan shroud.

....

Back to the drawing board. Anyone know where I can get one?

Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:45 am

Hiya Fahr,

I've got one sitting on my bench right now. It's left over from redoing my flaps. I'm guessing that you will need two of them - one for each set of flaps.

These things are very easy to find in a VW oriented boneyard.

Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:47 am

66foot wrote: Bookwus -

I checked ETKA, and they still list item number 37 as an available part.

Pat (66foot)

Look at number 37 at the bottom. I have a question about this. Where it says part number, is "012 645 2" the part number prefix, or the complete number? And the second column "description" the remainder of the part number, to determine which engine model, I.E. - 999 999, or 230 493?

For instance, an example part number would be 012 645 2AE, or 012 645 2AK ?

Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:47 am

Bookwus wrote: Hiya Fahr,

I've got one sitting on my bench right now. It's left over from redoing my flaps. I'm guessing that you will need two of them - one for each set of flaps.

These things are very easy to find in a VW oriented boneyard.

How much do you want for it? If I have one, I can make another one (even more as I run a machine shop). We don't have many VW boneyards in my neck of the woods.

Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:55 am

Hiya Fahr,

You can have it free for the postage.

Kelley: Duh on me! Geez I shoulda looked. Guess I'm getting too lazy in my old age!

The N prefix in the part number (instead of the usual three digit vehicle identifier) is pretty common for "hardware" kinda parts.

The description entries are a little problematical though. Those do look like engine type entries. But I'm wondering why an AE would use a different clip than an AH (I have both engines and the clips are exactly the same).

Well, anyway I now have a couple of numbers to check out. Thanks Kelley!

Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:57 am

I was looking for these a few years ago and got mine at Berg I believe.

Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:06 am

pm sent with mailing info.

Bookwus wrote: Hiya Fahr,

You can have it free for the postage.

Kelley: Duh on me! Geez I shoulda looked. Guess I'm getting too lazy in my old age!

The N prefix in the part number (instead of the usual three digit vehicle identifier) is pretty common for "hardware" kinda parts.

The description entries are a little problematical though. Those do look like engine type entries. But I'm wondering why an AE would use a different clip than an AH (I have both engines and the clips are exactly the same).

Well, anyway I now have a couple of numbers to check out. Thanks Kelley!