Jetta 03 GLI. Put key in and power is on. After turning the key, nothing happens.

Asked by jmfine May 04, 2013 at 04:53 PM about the 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLI FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

This morning, I put the key in the car,  power is on (radio works, etc...).  After turning the
key, all the power (including dash) goes out, there is and no clicking.  Battery checks
fine.  Any suggestions on where to start looking for the problem?

7 Answers

The battery does NOT check fine...it is too old to "check fine" as a tester of batteries, the thing must survive a three second dead-short, then go on as if nothing happened...not to mention the charge-up time from performing a stunt like this...and although it may have 12.5 volts and is able to start your car is NOT a healthy battery as will refuse to stop accepting a charge ten percent per year, meaning that as of right now will not be taking any more charge....quite surprised your alternator is surviving the affair as it has been taken to the limit trying to charge up "grandpa"----who's croaked already~

recommend interstate batteries, my Dad has been a car battery Engineer for thirty-five years...these guys don't mess around and totally guaranteed~

The battery is only 2 months old. Swapped with a known working battery and problem persists.

did you clean the connection to chassis ground, the 1/0 battery cable and the place that it bolts to should be wirebrushed down to metal, as well as the heavy cable leading to the motor block must be capable of pullin' 300 cca without catchin' fire...the positive terminal also has a connection at the starter solenoid all washers, etc should be clean and free of corrosion- do it babe, yeah--

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