Intermittent no start, no crank, no dash lights.

2006 Jetta, TDI, 5 spd. This situation has occurred twice in as many days. Both times fired right up in the morn but failed to restart at my first errand of the day. FOB unlocked door, odo/message center lites up, turn key and no power to the dash, gauges, warning lights etc. Relocked doors and unlocked doors then reattempted. Even manually re-locked and unlocked doors. Then for no reason, after 5 mins or so it started and continues to work fine. Pressure is on, we need to travel to Wisconsin over thanksgiving. Thanks for listening.

Should be noted that with key on I have power to radio, heater motor etc, but nothing comes on in the cluster. No warning lights no gauges.

Remove your airbox and clean/tighten the rather large chassis ground located there. It has a big and a large wire bolted to the chassis with an acorn nut. In fact, check/tighten/clean all of your grounds. Report back with your findings.

I just removed air box and cleaned all grounds under 4 acorn nuts. I still have no power to the instrument cluster. I should point out that the problem is no longer an intermittent as the condition still exist. Unfortunately I do not have access to my Bently manuals due to a software issues. Does anyone know if there is a relay or fuse for the cluster?

Attached VCDS and could read some of the systems but could not connect to engine and airbags.

Sounds like the J329 power supply relay gone bad. There is story after story of your symptoms being remedied by replacing it. You don't necessarily have to buy it from IDparts, but the link will let you know what it looks like and the VW part # as well in case you want to hazard a try at the dealer.

http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=123_86&products_id=2583

Thanks bl00tdi, I'll be able to sleep now.

As cheap as they are, I would be inclined to go to the dealer just to get it quicker.

Good to know about the power suply relay. My next step would have been to look at the power side of things.

tbailey4 said:

Thanks bl00tdi, I'll be able to sleep now.

Click to expand...

Indeed.

Ol'Rattler said:

As cheap as they are, I would be inclined to go to the dealer just to get it quicker.

Click to expand...

Agreed. My local dealer usually has a part within two days.

I got the relay from local dealer for $14.00, my relay was labeled as 460, fortunately there were two on the relay board so I swapped them for test purposes. FWIW, The main power relay was on the extreme left lower corner of the relay board, which is most difficult to remove and see. Both relays should click when you turn the key to the on position so feeling for the click may help for the next troubleshooter. Thanks for all the help everyone.

I'm glad it was a quick and easy fix.