2000 Volkswagen Jetta electrical issue? Altenator? Jetta 1.8t

AARONWHIT

MEMBER
2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
1.8L
4 CYL
TURBO
2WD
MANUAL
186,000 MILES

I recently got a 2000 jetta 1.8t 5 speed and it did have poor battery connection so on occasion it wouldn't start until I wiggled the terminals then it would fire bright off until yesterday. That didn't work and I was stuck at a gas station until we changed the battery cables and terminals. That seemed to do the trick and started right up. I thought that was the end of my issues until I started to leave again and I start out the driveway and the dash lights dim and the car just stalls out. For a few seconds I had no dash lights or anything until I turned the key a few times, car would start and same thing happened. Any ideas?

2 Replies

EXOVCDS

MECHANIC
1,883 POSTS

Check the chassis ground under the battery. I had a car in the shop this
summer that had weird electrical issues along with a "no start" (would crank ok).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Yv3UP1nuQ

I can't fix cars over the internet, so the above is just a guess.

Realistically, I would need for you to record a video of what exactly is happening
inside the car & outside of the car (hood up with view of engine bay) while someone
is cranking the engine (turning the key), to be able to give anymore detailed
guesses.

Sometimes a tow to a garage is cheaper & quicker, than internet diagnosis. I
once helped someone for 3 weeks (texting back & forth) that could have
been solved in 5min had I had the car in my hands.

Thomas