No Power to Dash or Starter

[CHEMVW]

I have a 2002 Jetta TDI manual transmission, 180K. I have had no electrical issues before this morning (except for the stupid door switch). This morning when I turn the key to ON, the dash lights all go out, nothing, not even an odometer reading (which is visible in the accessory position). I checked the battery and I have 12.4 volts on the battery. My automatic door lock seems sluggish and is not working properly, and when I remove the key from the on position the door locks make a repetitive clicking noise for a couple seconds.

Is this as simple as replacing my "Relay 109" or do I have more serious electrical issues on my hands?

Thanks,
Tim

 

[gquenstedt]

I think you need to have the battery load tested. Just checking it with a voltmeter is not sufficient, because the voltage will drop substantially when a load is placed on it.

Since you say the door locks are not working as usual, I don't think that is related to the 109 relay.

 

[CHEMVW]

The battery is about 1 year old. I have not checked the fluids in it so I can do that. I can also hook my trickle charger up to it overnight and see if that will solve my problem. I agree that the sluggish door locks made me think of a dead battery, but the fact that I loose all lights on my dash when I turn the key to on was confusing me.

Thanks,
Tim

 

[CHEMVW]

Update: When I got home from work last night I went to my dead Jetta and put the key in. This time when I turned the key to on, I got dash lights, but when I tried to start, the door locks just started clicking and humming but nothing happened in the engine compartment. After that no more dash lights. I trickle charged my battery overnight, but this did nothing for my problem. In the accessory position my radio works fine, lights in the vehicle all function, battery shows 12.4 volts, but when I attempt to turn the ignition I lose all power. The door locks still are acting very funny, sluggish, humming sound to them with lots of clicking. Could this be an ECM issue, Relay 109, bad ground somewhere? Thanks for suggestions.

 

[jettawreck]

Battery. Dead/bad cell probably. When charged it should be 13+ volts at the terminals. Wife's car did the same thing winter. Year old battery failed.
A bad ground is possible (VWs are so prone) but if you trickle charged overnight and only get 12.4v, its not going to make it.

 

[CHEMVW]

Ok, so I just got home, checked the batter. Reading 12.7, then turned the ignition on, this immediately cut power out to the dash and everything no lights, nothing, power reading at battery was 12.5. Then I got back in the car and without touching anything, the dash came to life and glow plugs cycled, checked the battery and it was 12.2. I tried starting the car and if fired right up.

Summary, after leaving the key in the ignition "on" position, the dash eventually came to life and this time the car started as usual. Now however, my glow plug light is flashing and CEL is on (was temperature sensor now it may be more, need to get it checked out).

So it isn't the battery, the terminals on the battery are fine, no corrosion at all, perhaps somewhere else I have a bad ground connection?

Thanks.

 

[jettawreck]

Ok, so I just got home, checked the batter. Reading 12.7, then turned the ignition on, this immediately cut power out to the dash and everything no lights, nothing, power reading at battery was 12.5. Then I got back in the car and without touching anything, the dash came to life and glow plugs cycled, checked the battery and it was 12.2. I tried starting the car and if fired right up.

Summary, after leaving the key in the ignition "on" position, the dash eventually came to life and this time the car started as usual. Now however, my glow plug light is flashing and CEL is on (was temperature sensor now it may be more, need to get it checked out).

So it isn't the battery, the terminals on the battery are fine, no corrosion at all, perhaps somewhere else I have a bad ground connection?

Thanks.

Grounds under the battery box.
Also ignition switch may be toast. Replaced that in wifes car two years ago.
Battery still tests w/low voltage.
Try replacing relay 109?

 

[2004STARWARSTDI]

no start

You could have a failing ignition switch or check the wires to starter to see if they are shorting out.