VW Jetta Electrical Problems

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

    
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#261 of 305 Re: Jetta Electrical Light Phantom [caneel] by vwdawg

Jan 23, 2012 (1:25 pm)

Replying to: caneel (Jan 21, 2012 5:56 am)
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)

Replying to: vwdawg (Jan 23, 2012 1:25 pm)
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)

Replying to: caneel (Jan 24, 2012 6:05 am)
Obviously - your car is not certified to be in Maine - LOL

#264 of 305 Exorcism vs. Mechanic by thedavisfamily

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)

Replying to: caneel (Jan 21, 2012 5:56 am)
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.

#266 of 305 Re: Exorcism vs. Mechanic [thedavisfamily] by bpeebles

Jan 27, 2012 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: thedavisfamily (Jan 27, 2012 1:38 pm)
Not an uncommon problem.
The microswitches in the door are starting to get flakey. To fix, the door needs to be torn apart and parts replaced.
 
BTW: When my wife found out how much it would cost to 'fix' her 2003 Jetta, she opted to NOT get it fixed. DOWNSIDE.... the alarm and keyfob is also affected. (Cannot lock doors with keyfob...must use key in door)

#267 of 305 Re: 1997 Jetta starter problem [gfant] by dachbackworld

Feb 01, 2012 (7:55 pm)

Replying to: gfant (Jul 22, 2007 8:22 am)
A little to late and missed to help you, but maybe some one else will like to have a professional answer. The problem you were having was the ignition switch. The steering wheel must come off along with the air bag and use a bearing puller to pull off a sleeve to get out the blinker switch mechanizm. Once out and placed on a bench there is a little screw that holds the switch into place. Change the switch and your back on the road. I hot wired the starter for a year before i took my precious time to do the job. After enough teasing it became an obsession. Just another hill to climb waiting for the next problem like the transmission shifting great, then out of the blue it dont like over drive or even some times third gear, shut the car off and back to brand new, change the transmission speed sensors, make sure all wiring isall up to par with no corrosion or bare wiring. Great car once your past the gremlins.

#268 of 305 97 VW Jetta Electric Problems by carpenterjw

Feb 02, 2012 (11:11 pm)

#269 of 305 97 VW Jetta Electric Problems by carpenterjw

Feb 02, 2012 (11:11 pm)

I just recently got this 97 Jetta and theres some problems:
1st: the horn doesnt work
2nd: you have to hold the brights on for the headlights to work.
3rd: the check engine light is on but it runs fine?
 
any ideas?

#270 of 305 Re: 97 VW Jetta Electric Problems [carpenterjw] by belaircarguy

Feb 26, 2012 (5:22 am)

Replying to: carpenterjw (Feb 02, 2012 11:11 pm)
1. The horn could be a loose wire, or even the horn itself.
2. Try pushing the headlight stalk the other way. VW's normally have a "flash to pass" feature that you can blink the lights by giving the stalk a quick pull.
3. Check engine light could be one of many things. No way to know until a mechanic hooks it to a computer and finds out what code the car is giving.
 
Sounds like you will need to take this to a shop, at least for the check engine light.
 
Bel Air Car Guy
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