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

[Nate Wall]

Brett:

Once my battery kept discharging slowly. It was either the trunk light staying
on, or the interior light delay circuitry. I figure it was the trunk light,
since the bulb was black!  Both are on the same fuse. Make sure the trunk light
switch is pushed up into its detent and I clipped the delay wire/prong on the
interior light circuit board so it goes off when the door is closed. I hated
the delay anyway.

--Nate

Brett wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm writing this as I wait for my battery to charge outside, had to call in
> late for work. I posted a while ago about electrical problems, looks like
> they are continuing. The problem is that my car is often losing the charge
> at the battery. Went out this morning and the battery is putting out about
> 11.85 volts, not quite enough to crank it with a long glow plug cycle (I'm
> in Southern Maine, it's cold enough all ready at 6:45 AM)
> I had my alternator rebuilt at a  local shop a few weeks ago, so I'm going
> to assume it's okay now. The alternator light has been lit up recently when
> the engine speed goes up before I shift, then it goes off. I've been aware
> of the problem, but figured I'd ask you guys for advice. I was just
> searching the watercooled group, and saw a post from Loren in 2000 about a
> possible bad ground causing this. I don't think anything should be actually
> draining the battery, especially since I don't even have a radio in my car.
> The alternator is putting out the proper voltage when it's running (right
> around 13.9 volts). The battery is getting a proper charge when the car is
> running as well from my multimeter testing results. I had the battery
> tested and it is good according to the Autozone guy that tested it.
>
> 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.
>
> -Brett
>
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