Changed headlight bulb, now dead battery.

[borland81]

I have a 99 New Beetle, 2.0L Just changed out the low beam headlight bulb, now my battery goes dead. I did put in a fresh battery, same problem!! Any thoughts?

[Lnzbug]

Are the cables on tight? I can't see where this would cause your battery to drain

[borland81]

Cables all seem very tight. After putting in new battery. I had drove it about 60 miles to run errands; stopping and starting motor many times. After a bit the battery light came on and battery was dead.

[Lnzbug]

mmmmm Someone here might be able to help you. Give them some time to see this thread. I'm stumped.

[SilverSportNOLA]

How quickly is the battery dying? Is it overnite, over a few hours ... minutes .... a week? Have you checked that no lights are left on. One of the reasons for the brake switch was to fix problems that would cause the brake lights to stay on all the time ... which would cause the battery to die .... and replacement by some trained VW monkeys would cause the problem.

[borland81]

Battery goes dead in hours. I do not see any lights (tail or head) still on. I am still stumped.

[SilverSportNOLA]

Check the luggage compartment light .... but I don't think it would kill it in hours. Is that in hours sitting or running. If running, I would get the alternator checked. I have always found that our batteries have very little to spare and run down over time, because the alternator doesn't charge them much with all the other electrical things to keep going. I put mine on a trickle charger every couple of months. Will probably do it soon since I have the car in the garage with the doors unlocked while doing some major maintenance .... probably be that way for a few weeks. Door unlocked will drain the battery faster than doors locked ... 4 weeks killed mine one time.