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Question

we needed to replace our 2001 beetle tdi's starter. The night before we had to jump start the car, but i mistakenly connected the host backwards and tried to start the car. I switched the connection to the correct jumper connection and tried to start and after two times, the car started. The next day, no response when we tried to crank the car. Even with the assist of a jumper. we purchased a new starter, bench tested it and installed it. When we finally started to crank, it just spun and spun, but the connections on the battery sounded like a sizzle, and the only way to disengaged the starter (we had turned off the car) was the knock the terminal off the battery. From that point on, the car's interior lights have flickered, door locks unlocked/locked randomly, and radio is static-y. What may be the problem?

Submitted: 309 days ago.
Category: VW
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

2001 beetle tdi

Already Tried:
1. rested the stater.
2. replace the (+) terminal cable and the connection to the starter
3. new battery

Posted by Mike 309 days ago.

Answer

Hello and Welcome to justanswer...

 

It would appear from your description of whats gone on, that damage has been to to electrical components on the car..

 

Now this could b e the main ecu - the cars computer and / or the "comfort module " which controls all the items you mentioned as going haywire... or -and this is very possible too - burnt and / or short circuited wiring in the looms in the car...

 

You are going to need to check, very thoroughly and and as far as you can - the wiring throughout the car...including the earth wiring and contact points as a staring point..

 

After that -- there is not a lot you can do as it will come down to component testing - and this needs to be done with diagnostic equipment designed for the Beetle model... and as used by the dealers..

 

On this occasion, I would recommend using the dealer level equipment as the only sensible option here... as the damage that seems to have occurred will be very VW component specific..

 

But check your wiring through for anything obvious first.... and after that...its as above Im afraid.... The electronic components are very sensitive to anything like this happening I'm afraid...

 

 

I Sincerely hope I have helped you - Please ask me if you need more help...

 

Kind Rgds,.... MIKE

  • >>>>>>>>>Please don't forget..........

PS...Please press the ACCEPT button if you are happy with my answer/advice given- as thats how I get paid ;)

 

Feedback is always appreciated too... Thank you .

308 days and 23 hours ago.

Reply

When we connect the charger to the car, the door locks, fuel flap switch, headlights, basically everything works, but then when we turn the key to the start position (without cranking) a warning buzzer sounds after a few seconds. is this related to the ecu as well?

Accepted Answer

Hi there... Thank you for getting back to me...

 

This is likely happening because your battery is very flat - and you are applying "normal" power to the circuits and firing everything up.... but as you obviously know - all these things shouldn't be going off like that whatever...

 

Its not likely to be the ecu this fault - but it could well be the comfort module.... or the wiring... WHen the battery was connected wrongly, its very likely that live wiring was shorted to earth wiring --and this could well be why you are getting what you have...

 

This really must be checked out as soon as possible - -as , not to put too finer point on it... it could cause an electrical fire - certainly the odds are raised substantially if the wiring is burnt anywhere...

 

You should leave the vehicle without the battery connected until it is inspected.... That will stop the risk as above....

 

I personally had experience of this a couple of months back - a garage had done exactly as happened with your car....and instantly - the wiring was toast under the dash.... What Im trying to say is - you must be very careful here.... fire is a very real possibility - so have it inspected properly as soon as possible..

 

 

 

Kind Rgds,.... MIKE

  • >>>>>>>>>Please don't forget..........

PS...Please press the ACCEPT button if you are happy with my answer/advice given- as thats how I get paid ;)

 

Feedback is always appreciated too... Thank you .

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Expert: Mike
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 1/19/2009

VW Mechanic

30 Years of working on vehicle repair/diagostics! ;)

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