01' VW Jetta electrical problem

Tiny
ADAMFABAREZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 VOLKSWAGEN
I have a 2001 VW Jetta GLS(2.0 liter engine) 61,000 miles. I recently bought a new battery for my car because it kept dying on me. Well that didn't fix the problem because if the car is not ran for 1 day it will not start. If it is ran everyday then there is no problem. Any idea why it does this? If it was an altenator problem wouldn't the battery not be charged at all?
Wednesday, February 28th, 2007 AT 11:42 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
BRUCE HUNT
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,754 POSTS
I just replied to another chap that was experiencing the same issue. You have a draw on the system that could run from a bad ignition switch to a failing component or accessory in the car. Isolate the problem. Kind of tedious work. You will probably notice that there is a spark with the car off and lifting the positive cable of the battery. There should be a spark but it should be very small. Isolate the fuse that reduces the spark and hunt down what is on that fuse.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 9:09 AM
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
The altinator charges the battery, inside the altinator is the regulator, if the altinator goes bad then it could drain the battery. It can be checked at a garage or automotive store ex. Auto none there could also be something drawing the battery when the car is stopped. Check to see if anything stays on when you shut the car off.
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Thursday, March 1st, 2007 AT 9:17 AM

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