[jfoj]

The cowl is a FAMOUS problem area in these Beetles for water leaks.

There is only one way to fully clean out the cowl area and you need to do this. Often this needs to be done every 6-24 months depending on where the car is kept and how much debris from trees fills up in the cowl area.

You need to remove the windshield wipers at the plastic cowl in front of the windshield.

Then you need to remove the 3 front dash panels and then remove the access panel on either side of the car.

Once you do this you will start to get an idea how bad this cowl area is clogged with debris. You will also probably find a cabin air filter that was never changed. You may even fine one or more mouse nests build with the while insulation that is on the bottom of the 2 access panels.

You will need a vacuum cleaner, compressed air and a leaf blower to really clean up this mess! Then you will also use the garden hose at the end of the clean up.

I doubt the fender well drains will be clogged, there are a number of slit drains around the strut towers that you will find are clogged. These are easy to clean and as I recall there are a few drain back slots you can see front inside the car looking into the cowl area.

The dash is pretty easy to removed, you may need a 1/4" drive ratchet and some short Torx bits and maybe a Phillips bit to clear the windshield as I recall.

Also a wise idea to try and park the car on a flat or downhill rather than uphill. I have had to clean out my cowl 4-5 times and I had mice nest in the cowl when the car sat for a while while my daughter was off at college.

See these threads:

http://newbeetle.org/forums/new-beetle-convertible/128225-drain-cleaning.html

http://newbeetle.org/forums/new-beetle-convertible/32291-cabin-air-filter.html

http://newbeetle.org/forums/questions-issues-concerns-problems-new-beetle/137905-cabin-filter.html

http://newbeetle.org/forums/questio...etle/120361-floor-behind-driver-seat-wet.html

 

[jfoj]

Given the cars age, I guarantee the cowl is a mess and needs a thorough cleaning.

Mouse nests, nuts, leaves, sticks, mulch, you name it. If the car has a cabin filter it is most likely original as well!!!

18 year old cars need lots of MAINTENANCE AND RESTORATION!!!

 

[jfoj]

Unfortunately this is really a "maintenance" item, probably need to clean the cowl area every few years, but if you try to keep up with it, often you can clean it from just under the hood by removing the wipers and plastic cowl cover.

Glad it worked out and you listened to what I had to offer.

 

[jfoj]

Been a while since I was under the dash like your picture shows.

The box is the ECU/ECM, there is a way to release it, but there is nothing but solid space under the ECU/ECM as I recall.

I think the arrow on the left may be your problem??

Notice the cable for the hood latch has a nice grommet around it and appears to be sealed up.

I may be wrong, but there are a few drain areas and what you are showing looks questionable unless this is a real drain that is clogged.

Might put a piece of wire or string trimmer down and see if you see it under the dash, if you do, this is NOT good!!!

You can use the hood release cable as a reference from under the dash. You will have to remove at least 1 hush panel.