305 messages,
Last post on May 16, 2013 at 2:17 PM
You are in the
Volkswagen Jetta Forum.
What is this discussion about?
Volkswagen Jetta, Electrical, Sedan
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153
#256 of 305 Re: Electrical/Engine Issu [aubry177]
by gabby15
Nov 26, 2011 (11:23 pm)
hi did you find out what was wrong with your jetta? im having the same problems with mine. the radio blinks, the alarms go off when i try to get out.. the car shuts off when im at stoplights... im so frustrated with this car now but i want to know what the problem is... so if you got yours fixed let me know what the problem was
#257 of 305 Re: 1997 VW Jetta GL electrical problems? [jdaniels17]
by c_schaeffer
Jan 05, 2012 (11:51 am)
I am having some of the same issues as well. I too have a 97 Jetta GL and my power locks aren't working proper, I tried replacing ALL the fuses but it didn't help. I would try to take the door panel off and see if you can't find an issue.
good luck!
cody
#258 of 305 Re: 1997 VW Jetta GL electrical problems? [c_schaeffer]
by bpeebles
Jan 05, 2012 (4:15 pm)
This has been answered several times in the past. Proper use of the "search" function would isolate the answers.
For your convenience, I will summarize here:
The microSwitches inside the doors tend to wear out and start sending false signals to the computer. (ie... The door is OPEN and CLOSED at the same time, -or- the door is LOCKED and UNLOCKED at the same time... etc) The computer can respond in unexpected ways.
The proper "fix" is to tear into the door and replace either the individual switch or the entire circuit-board contaqining all the switches.
Personally, when my wife took her Jetta in to the dealer and found out it would be several hundred dollars to "fix", she decided to use the key in the door instead of the remote from now on. Hence far, using the key in the door has been able to lock-n-arm the alarm for her.
If you wish to tackle the problem yourself, there are several websites with step-by-step photos showing how to tear door apart and replace the $7 switches.
BTW: I know for a fact that the problems with my wife's Jetta started the day after the window was left open during a downpour. Apparently, water got into the 'wrong' place and has been a problem ever since.
#259 of 305 Jetta Electrical Light Phantom
by caneel
Jan 21, 2012 (5:56 am)
Jetta 2011 TDI... since it has gotten colder on the east coast, when I leave my Jetta out at night, the driving lights will turn on at some time during the night. IF I park it in an enclosed garage, they don't. VW Princeton updated the computer, but nothing has changed. Still in need of a mechanic or exorcist.
#260 of 305 Re: Jetta Electrical Light Phantom [caneel]
by creepylights
Jan 21, 2012 (10:39 pm)
You're not alone. My wife's 2011 TDI does the exact same thing (four times now). She parks it outside at work and luckily it's started every time...so far.
#261 of 305 Re: Jetta Electrical Light Phantom [caneel]
by vwdawg
Jan 23, 2012 (1:25 pm)
Hey caneel and creepylights: Every time I read another forum article about VW and Audi electrical "phantoms", I can feel my blood pressure and pulse increase. With all the supposedly wonderful Teutonic engineering that VW and Audi brag about, you would think that they could build systems that don't act in such a bizarre fashion. For a 2011 Jetta to have this issue is completely inexcusable, and for a dealer to NOT have an instant fix is even more egregious. I would go back to that dealer and DEMAND in no uncertain terms that they take this car and keep it until it's fixed, and give you a NICE loaner to use during the time they have it. I have owned five V-dubs and two Audis, and except for my 2005 Jetta TDI wagon, they have all had various combinations of power window failures, check engine light issues, oil pressure issues (make sure you use VW 502.00 spec synthetic!!!), wheel bearing problems, door latch "self-lock" phantoms, and other annoying issues. The positive thing...they just seem to keep on running, which I guess explains why, in a recent fit of temporary insanity, I just purchased a near-mint 2003 A6 Avant Quattro w/ 71k in Arizona. And I DO love it...at least for now. Good luck! vwdawg/audiphile1
#262 of 305 Re: Jetta Electrical Light Phantom [vwdawg]
by caneel
Jan 24, 2012 (6:05 am)
Noticed that when I was in Maine this past weekend (very cold) and the car was outside, the phantom lights came on. Back in NJ, in my garage, they did not. Hmmm...
#263 of 305 Re: Jetta Electrical Light Phantom [caneel]
by bpeebles
Jan 24, 2012 (6:57 pm)
Obviously - your car is not certified to be in Maine - LOL
Jan 27, 2012 (1:38 pm)
Our '02 Jetta started acting possessed about a month ago. First, the "door open" indicator kept turning on while the car was in motion even when all doors and trunk were shut securely. It comes on and off several times a minute. If you shove the driver's door with your elbow, it'll turn off temporarily. Next, the power to the cd player/radio started turning on and off randomly. Using the turn signals seems to make it worse. Now the car alarm goes off at random times while the car is stationary and off. It just went off a moment ago while sitting in my driveway, even though it has been hours since we drove it. Today the car stopped consistently responding to the key remote too. Sometimes it locks the car, sometimes it doesn't. What on earth is going on??!
#265 of 305 Re: Jetta Electrical Light Phantom [caneel]
by creepylights
Jan 27, 2012 (1:51 pm)
My wife took a video of the car with the lights on and then showing that the car was locked and the switch was off. She brought the video and the car to the dealer. After watching the video, they gave her an Audi to drive while they fixed her car. When she picked it up they said that four more people had contacted them about a similar problem. They replaced the light switch and she asked if that was really the fix or just a starting point they had nothing to say. It's warm today so we'll have to wait and see.