Something Weird and Wrong with Mine

[Darkmann]

2003 NBC, 5-spd, daily driver, usually driven during my 90 minute all highway commute, average speed around 70 mph. Yesterday on way back from work I was doing about 75 and as I signaled to pass another vehicle, my NBC last power completely for a fraction of a second - yes, lost power completely: all needles went to home position, all dash lights off, the vehicle bucked, the clock reset, etc, etc. Just for a fraction of a second and then everything was OK. So I was curious and turned on the headlight - nothing abnormal. But as I turned on the fogs, same thing happened. As I flashed the high beams, same thing happened. I quickly figured out whenever I added electrical load to the system, the shut off would occur! When I got home, I noticed that rpm level nor being in neutral made no difference. If an electrical source was on, reactivating it didn't cause the problem - that's why turning on the headlight didn't make any difference because the DRL was on. After I turned motor off, everything was fine. Car ran great, no matter what I did I couldn't replicate the problem. Then this morning, after driving about 7 miles and stopping, as soon as I pulled the parking brake on the car just started beeping! However, no momentary power loss and so far no more beeping. What could the problem be? Bad ground?

[Smileybug]

Have you had your battery and alternator checked out?

[Darkmann]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Have you had your battery and alternator checked out?

No, never really have had any reason to worry about either. Battery is original and probably due for replacement, but never really had any issues with it.

[Smileybug]

I'd start getting both checked out. Autozone or another auto parts store can check them for free for you. If your battery is original, that means is 9ish years old. Pretty darn old for a battery.

[IndyTom]

Take a look at your fuse block on top of the battery. Check to see how it looks. Trace the cable from the alternator to the fuse block and check for any corrosion or weak spots.
That cable is a low quality cable from the factory and has caused many of those fuse blocks to melt down. I would start there. The battery is old but it wouldn't cause a complete power interruption once the car is running. If there was a problem with the battery you would probably not get it started again. Still not a bad idea to have it tested since it is quite old.

Pep Boys has BOSCH batteries on sale this month. More cranking amps and a lot cheaper than other batteries around.

[boogety boogety]

Smileybug is right on the money. Our computers do hinky things when voltage fluctuates, as voltage does when a battery is dying. And a nine year old battery (!!!) is going to crater soon if it hasn't done so anyways, so just save yourself a heap o'trouble, go and replace the battery tomorrow morning already, and I betcha a sprinkled donut, if your cables otherwise check out, your problems will go away.

[Darkmann]

Thanks everyone. I will check cables and plan on replacing battery soon.

[Darkmann]

UPDATE:Checked the cables as best as I could without taking anything off, fusible links ontop of battery look good. So, I took a 7 mile drive to my local Walmart - olan was to stop by PepBoys to pick-up a battery (a poster informed me that the Bosch type are currently on sale). I parked the car, turned off motor, got out of car and noticed that door had some resistance closing - the car had completely shut down and the glass was in the "up" position. No crank, no lights no start, ..., nothing. After about 3-4 minutes, the radio displayed "SAFE" and I was able to start. She's currently parked in the garage until I can figure out what's going on.

[Darkmann]

Originally Posted by boogety boogety

Smileybug is right on the money. Our computers do hinky things when voltage fluctuates, as voltage does when a battery is dying. And a nine year old battery (!!!) is going to crater soon if it hasn't done so anyways, so just save yourself a heap o'trouble, go and replace the battery tomorrow morning already, and I betcha a sprinkled donut, if your cables otherwise check out, your problems will go away.

Well, here's what I did today:


Motor Off

1. Battery: 12.58 V
2. Alt: 12.57 V (measured at Alt +ve and Alt chasis)
3. Battery (+ve) to Alt Chasis: 12.56 V

I couldn't get to Alt -ve terminal

Motor Running

1. Battery: 14.5 V
2. Alt: 14.5 V
3. Battery - Alt: 14.5 V

These last readingg were fluctuating between 14.46 V to 14.48 V

Looks like the system is charging fine and that the battery is in good health. What am I missing? I can't get to the battery cable ends - just can't see them. Could there be corrosion at the cabeles themselves that would cause a sudden voltage fluctuation? I'm going to have to take her to a shop

[tech16024]

DUDE!!! a UFO flew over your Beetle!!!!

[Darkmann]

Originally Posted by tech16024

DUDE!!! a UFO flew over your Beetle!!!!

Yep, I'm beginning to wonder myself. Drove fine this evening. I plan to take her to work tomorrow. Hopefully I can have her in the shop sometime next week.