Nico3d3
Veteran Member
Here we go again, we hear a lot about people claiming a TDI can easily start in the coldest temperature but I fail to see how it will happen on my car. After three years and lots of money thrown into it, I still get the same problem, it's getting ridiculously frustrating. After a starter replacement (replaced with a rebuilt OEM Bosch starter) and then, a battery replaced twice (group 49, 1000 amp, 80 ah battery), I fail to see where is the real problem?
Last year, I saw a mechanic specialised in Volkswagen who claimed there was no problem whatsoever with the alternator, or the starter or the battery, he tested all of them. He even claimed that using, his little electronic testing device, he was able to determine there was no faulty ground or bad wiring, so he didn't look further and he didn't check visually any grounds or anything. How come he doesn't see any problems if the starter isn't cranking at temperature below -15C? I tried this afternoon and it was barely cranking, then I plugged the FrostHeater for 3 hours hoping it would help, but amazingly it was even worse when I retried in the evening, the starter isn't cranking at all, I can only hear the clicking solenoid but still, I have an almost brand new battery and I replaced it for the second time last year.
There's no corrosion at the negative and positive battery connexion but I can't look any further while I'm stuck on a cold dark night. I know there's a ground on the transmission and there are grounds below the battery too but I have no idea how to test them.
I'm in dire need of a REAL mechanic who could check visually all wiring and grounds, and check if there's anything draining the battery. I can't continue throwing money at it without finding the real cause and unfortunately, I don't have access to a heated garage where I could check all of it by myself. The brand new battery helped me last year, I was even able to start it at -30C but suddendly, it's not working anymore after one year, ***? I'm currently in Quebec city.
Last year, I saw a mechanic specialised in Volkswagen who claimed there was no problem whatsoever with the alternator, or the starter or the battery, he tested all of them. He even claimed that using, his little electronic testing device, he was able to determine there was no faulty ground or bad wiring, so he didn't look further and he didn't check visually any grounds or anything. How come he doesn't see any problems if the starter isn't cranking at temperature below -15C? I tried this afternoon and it was barely cranking, then I plugged the FrostHeater for 3 hours hoping it would help, but amazingly it was even worse when I retried in the evening, the starter isn't cranking at all, I can only hear the clicking solenoid but still, I have an almost brand new battery and I replaced it for the second time last year.
There's no corrosion at the negative and positive battery connexion but I can't look any further while I'm stuck on a cold dark night. I know there's a ground on the transmission and there are grounds below the battery too but I have no idea how to test them.
I'm in dire need of a REAL mechanic who could check visually all wiring and grounds, and check if there's anything draining the battery. I can't continue throwing money at it without finding the real cause and unfortunately, I don't have access to a heated garage where I could check all of it by myself. The brand new battery helped me last year, I was even able to start it at -30C but suddendly, it's not working anymore after one year, ***? I'm currently in Quebec city.
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