144 messages,
Last post on Mar 03, 2013 at 5:26 PM
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Volkswagen Beetle Forum.
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Volkswagen New Beetle, Electrical, Oil
#93 of 144 Battery will not stay charged
by john_from_ca
Jan 15, 2010 (6:39 pm)
We have 2000 Beetle with about 50,000 miles on it. If the car is not driven at least every other day the battery looses charge. Anyone have any ideas for me.
#94 of 144 2007 Volkswagon New Beetle Headlight
by loreashlinn
Jan 16, 2010 (9:04 pm)
Could someone please give me some directions on how to change the headlights on my buggie! I found some excellent directions for another year, but they didn't work for mine! Please, please help! I really don't want to have to take it to the dealer to get this done! Also, the wonderful guy at NAPA couldn't even tell me which headlights that I needed to buy. I want the brightest ones around!
Thanks,
Lore from MS
#95 of 144 Re: Battery will not stay charged [john_from_ca]
by belaircarguy
Jan 17, 2010 (8:59 am)
If a battery loses a charge within such a short period of time it most likely is one of two problems:
1. Battery is old and near the end of its useful life. If it is about 4-5 years old, you may want to consider getting a new battery.
2. A short somewhere in the car, whereby the battery is being drained when the car is not running. This could be almost anything.
Best bet is to take this to a shop such as Pep Boys or Sears or somewhere that sells batteries and have them check the electrical system. They will tell you if the battery is old and not holding a charge properly. They can also look for a drain on the battery, if that is happening when parked.
Good luck.
BelAIrCarGuy
#96 of 144 Re: Battery will not stay charged [john_from_ca]
by ivanhoe9
Jan 20, 2010 (9:55 pm)
John had same problem 99 NB; had a recall on it too. Turns out to be a short in tail light assembly. Sure enough found burned bulbs in driver side tail light but only after going through two batteries. Even with the recall VW would not refund the cost of batteries claiming electrical was not covered! Check those bulbs for hot burn spots. Hope that helps
#97 of 144 LIGHTS OUT!
by ivanhoe9
Jan 20, 2010 (10:07 pm)
I just experienced the dash lights and gauge blackout that I’ve read about on other forums. I’ve been told that the coolant overflow reservoir can leak onto the electrical harness and cause shorting. Well I can believe it now! Lost all lights tach and speedometer and all engine failure lights came on. Lucky I didn’t get all the warning sounds or I would have gone nuts.
Anybody had this happen or heard of it?
Also been told to drill a small hole in reservoir bulb to allow this overflow to travel elsewhere.
Any thoughts friends?
#98 of 144 Re: LIGHTS OUT!-II [ivanhoe9]
by ivanhoe9
Jan 21, 2010 (7:05 pm)
UPDATE: I blew out the ALT on the trip home from work. No head lights, dash lights, tach, speedometer, radio, horn and all indicator lights on. Repaired
$850. All A-ok now.
#99 of 144 1973 VW superbeetle
by ulrichgrun
Jan 24, 2010 (6:50 pm)
where do the wires go from the positive side and the negative side of the coil ? I just purchased this for a project car and the wiring was all disconnected. I know the ign wire goes to positive side of coil but what wires go to the negative side????
Mar 28, 2010 (8:17 pm)
I HAVE A 2000 BEETLE AND I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR TWICE IN TWO MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME IT WASN'T RECHARGING THE BATTERY I REPLACED IT. THE SECOND ALTERNATOR WAS OVER CHARGING THE BATTERY. THE ALTERNATOR THAT I REPLACED IT WITH IS NOT CHARGING AT ALL. SO I FIGURE IT'S SOMETHING ELSE. CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM.
#101 of 144 problem with my security system
by sophiebug
Apr 13, 2010 (8:35 pm)
I have a 99 bug, and when i lock it, 9 times out of 10, i cant unlock it. The door will unlock, but the standard security system wont shut off, so when i put the key in the ignition the alarm goes off, i mean, there have been days that i just cant drive my car because the feature wont shut off. Someone suggested I get my battery checked, i did, and its fine. its annoying as hell! fix it!
#102 of 144 Re: problem with my security system [sophiebug]
by swine
Apr 28, 2010 (12:51 pm)
have you replaced the batteries in the key?
I have similar problem: mangled switch in key sender drained key's battery.
Now replaced battery and disabled alarm, but car still won't start.