[David McLaughlin]

Problem #10. After sitting all last summer and winter with out being driven under my ownership and who knows how long under the PO's ownership, the battery was toast. Though I really wanted an Optima, Sears was closer and cheeper. After installing the new battery, the car started and ran well (at least as well as to be expected without a tune up). At the last AutoX, the car would not start, no juice in the battery. I could push start it, but it would not charge the battery. I took off and cleaned both braided ground cables and took it for a ride tonight. An hour later, I stopped the car and attempted to re-fire it. Nothing. no charge at all.

When I turn the key, the altinator light glows like it's supposes to then (when jumped or roll started) the light goes out after the engine fires. While driving , all seems normal, but at idle, the headlights are very dim until I rev the motor (bad idle below 500 rpm, I need to adjust the carbs). WIth the car off, the battery reads 12.3 volts. with lights on the voltage drops to nothing. With the car running I only get 12.6 volts up to 13 with the car at 1500 rpm.

I will buy a battery charger this weekend and order new ground cables and a voltage regulator next week. Should I look at anything else. I really hope it's not the altinator, because I hear that in a six, you need to drop the motor to remove it. When I comes to choosing the ground cables, Performance has an interesting set vinyl covered set for the 924 and a braid/vinyl covered set, will either of these be ok since Pelican says NLA.

Looking for opinions, ideas, and suggestions.

Thanks all,


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Dave
1970 914/6
1995 Golf GTI-VR6
1996 Passat TDI
djm914-6@mediaone.net