1999 Golf GTI Electrical fault...

[Ronantu]

Hi Folks,

Driving along yesterday my abs warning light came on followed by brake fuild warning light. The dash then seemed to loose all power with the clocks and lights all going off....I drove for a few minutes and the clocks/dials came back on with the same two warning lights. I got home and after an hour or two I went back out and went for a run, no faults. However when going back home the ABS warning light came on followed by air bag warning light. All the lights went dim. When back at home it seemed that there was a large load on the battery. I turned off the engine and re started it, turned over very slow but started. I repeated this and it wouldn't start. This morning I tried again and it started, all lights went out and it ran for 5 / 10 minutes. When I went to move it the ABS light came on again and the engine wont turn over.....

Seems like a short or could it be an ECU issue? Hardly a battery issue (it's about 1 year's old)....There was very heavy rain last week and fear some may have harmed relays of ECU's if it got in???(it wasn't in floods or anything just parked outside in the rain)

Any help would be appreciated..dont know what to do.

Thanks in advance for any assiatance.

[richw911]

Have a look on top of the battery.......

See here http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=111624.0 

[Ronantu]

Thanks for suggestions...

Checked the fused link, no problems, all fuses fine and no probelms with continuity throught it when checked with a meter....

I have noticed one more thing, the battery light is not coming on when you turn on the ignition...I replaced the battery, and checked the voltage....12.35 with the ignition off and drops to 12 or slightly below with engine running....so not charging.

I have taken off the alternator to get it checked, but even if it it does turn out to be faulty  this wont explain the battery light not working at all....

I need more suggestions!

Thanks again.

[richw911]

Thanks for suggestions...

Checked the fused link, no problems, all fuses fine and no probelms with continuity throught it when checked with a meter....

I have noticed one more thing, the battery light is not coming on when you turn on the ignition...I replaced the battery, and checked the voltage....12.35 with the ignition off and drops to 12 or slightly below with engine running....so not charging.

I have taken off the alternator to get it checked, but even if it it does turn out to be faulty  this wont explain the battery light not working at all....

I need more suggestions!

Thanks again.

Check all the wiring to the alternator and battery 

[Ronantu]

Ok....got to the bottom of the problem.


Alternator regulator and brush pack gone....as result no gorund to the dash battery light!

Alternator refurbed & refitted all ok!

Thanks for assistance.