[Vwdiesel] 2001 Golf TDi juice drain

[Rolf Pechukas]

hey gang
I have a new (last winter) Optima red-top battery in my Golf
but for some reason cranking amps seem low
I've had to charge the battery several times this winter using external charger
alternator was replaced last year
when it's cold, she sometimes won't crank over fast enough to start
is this a known issue? what should I look at first?
connections? bad alt? sneaky short somewhere draining juice?
when I top up the battery, she fires right up
so I know starter good
thanks,
Rolf in MA