2000 Volkswagen Jetta Battery Charging problem

TIGERBREEZE

MEMBER
2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

Electrical problem
2000 Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl Manual 170, 00 miles

I've been having a lot of problems with the battery holding it's charge. I've already changed to alternator twice within the last year, and I just changed the battery. The car will not intially start, and after it's jumped, it won't hold it's charge, resulting in the car dying even when it's being driven. All of the cables look like they're in good shape, no fraying or exposed wires. I've had the bettery and alternator tested, and everything looks fine. Any ideas?

3 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

Thank you for the donation.

You will have to get a current draw test done, an Amp meter is placed between the batter pos and the cable, (don't attempt to start the engine ) and this will show any excessive current draw, check with doors closed & key off. If you have excessive draw start to pull fuses to see if you can locate the faulty circuit, also check the alternator as a faulty diode will also cause a draw and still have a usable charge rate, start here.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Friday, October 3rd, 2008 AT 12:34 AM

TIGERBREEZE

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Ok, this may sound stupid, but I have no idea how to read an amp meter, is that something they can do at like an autozone? And this may sound dumb, but what a diode?

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Sunday, October 5th, 2008 AT 12:13 PM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there.

As I live in Australia I am un sure what this auto zone offer, the amp meter is a simple device to read just a needle on a gauge, and a diode is an electrical device the allows current to flow only one way, think of it as a one way valve for electricity.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Sunday, October 5th, 2008 AT 4:29 PM