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I have a '98 Jetta TDI, 181,000 mi, owned since new. Other than glowplug and engine check-light issues, no electrical problems up till now. When I start the car, the headlights and the blower fan motor will not turn on. If I turn off the ignition and immediately restart it, both the headlights and the blower fan motor then operate as normal. This is an intermittent occurrence and has happened three times in the last four days. I am concerned that it will turn from intermittent to permanent and that eventually, restarting the ignition will no longer resolve the problem.
Has anyone had a similar occurrence they have resolved, or can anyone offer advise on how to best diagnose and repair such a problem.
When the headlights and blower fan motor do not operate, both low beams and high beams are affected, but the running lights, turn signals, and brake lights operate as normal. Blower fan does not operate at any of the speed settings. Fuses are all O.K. It is possible that I may not have yet noticed other affected electric things in addition to the headlights and the blower fan motor, but everything else seems O.K. I'll check for more affected things the next time it occurs.
Thanx for any input.
As a longer-term fix, to avoid paying for a $200 ignition-coil... Some folks have reported good luck in sealing the hairline cracks in the ignition-coil. This may get you a couple more years out of the coil.
A lot of people dont even know that the WD in WD40 means "Water Displacer"
It is said that the inventer of WD40 went thru 39 other formulas before coming up with the current one....(the 40th try) Then after all that work, the Milatary awarded the contract to another bidder.
Concenquently, not being a quitter, he marketed the stuff as "WD40" to the public and it has done pretty well.
There are reams of information about this on the net if you do a search. Here is a link to detailed photos of the door interior.
I have the same problem with my '97 jetta suddenly. did you ever get any reply or information on what to do? I cannot find any connection between these two systems on the electrical schematics, so I am at a loss for now.
thanks!
gary
Hope this helps.
If you are able to disassemble the regulator, it is worth a try to just order that. but that would be your decision
Does any one have any ideas on what I can do.
Is there a way to disconnedt the alarm so that I can start my car.
any help would be much appriciated.
thanks
This is going to make me sound stupid - but is the battery corrosion and amperage easy to check? I am SO not good with cars and pretty much take mine to the dealer or repair shop for everything. I just assumed it was related to the ignition coil replacement since it didn't start until after that, but your post describes my problem almost exactly, so I'm having second thoughts!
I am still trying to pay off credit card debt from college, etc. and cannot afford to keep dumping money into the car unnecessarily and cannot afford a new one either.
One day last week my trunk light indicator showed my trunk was ajar when it was not, I checked it and still would not go out.
I drove it the same day then could not get my trunk to open using the button by the driver seat? So, I had to use the keys to open it.
Then I went to lock the car and the alarm system went off, I could not disengage it using the car door lock, so stood there until it went off by itself, but could not get car to start due to security system had locked engine.
I ended up having it towed (another bill I could not really afford) to dealer who advised me that I could use trunk lock to disengage the security system.
Ok, I did not have them diagnose car any further because I am broke, so I left and have been driving it since, but have not been locking my doors for each time I do I have same problem the alarm goes off and have to use the trunk key to turn it off.
I also have noticed that my clock resets itself each time I now start the car?
Is all of this related??? I know nothing about cars, which is another reason I have gotten into so much debt for I trusted several different auto repair places to keep my car running for I need it to keep my job.
Any ideas/help/advise would greatly be appreciated. Thank you.
It sure sounds like it is related. The security system checks that all the doors, trunk and hood are latched before it will "arm". If the micro-switches on any of these are 'flakey', then the alarm system may not work properly.
For now, since you are on a low budget, the only recourse may be to not set the alarm.
I am concerned that your clock resets every time you start the engine. This suggests that the battery may have dirty connections or may be bad. A weak battery could cause ALL the other issues you are experiencing.
Many autoparts stores will check your battery for FREE. (Autozone.... etc)
this horn be disabled , I believe I pulled the correct fuse but horn still active. Recharged battery but no difference.The key will not shut off alarm at all. The power windows now open by themselves, no control at all.Any ideas on disarming this possessed machine would be appreciated.
Of course....that was a few weeks ago and now my check engine light is on. Grrrrrrrrrrr. I love this car to death, but if it's not one thing, it's another!!