[Vwdiesel] Cont'd Electrical gremlins - bad ground?

[Bill Truesdell]

Brett wrote:

>
> How many electrical grounds are there on an A2 Jetta? I should probably
> clean them up. I recently replaced the starter -> positive battery
> terminal
> cable with a low (2) gauge cable. I have a new 4 gauge cable to
> replace the
> factory alternator -> starter cable. However, the battery ground cable is
> original and the location where it anchors to the body is a little
> corroded, all I've done is spray it with some Rust Check to try to
> keep it
> from getting worse. I'm suspecting it's just a really bad ground not
> allowing the battery to fully charge, but am not really sure. Any ideas?
> Thanks in advance.


It could also be grounds where you do not want them. Open grounds will
not discharge the battery since they are open. But an open charging
circuit will prevent battery charging.

I had a similar problem with the battery discharging but it was a turn
light that was grounded where it was not suppose to. However, that also
led to other things happening so I was able to isolate the problem from
what was common.Does not sound like your problem.

As with all problems, go from the simple to the complex. Connections
should be cleaned. Fuses checked. The battery may be "good" but in Maine
(I live here too) you really need a very good battery to get good
cranking in the winter.If everything was fine in the summer, it does not
mean it will be in the fall. Even the make of battery makes a
difference. Generally I like Sears because they are nearly always good,
but I will go with Consumer reports if there is a good combo of price
and performance.

Add one bad glow plug with a weak battery and on cold mornings my Jetta
is near impossible to start. A strong battery will overcome a bad glow plug.

Bill T