Its happened again....

[stfc_gti]

Some of you may remember about a year back the fuse box the battery burnt out and needed replacing. Well, I had left my car at work for about a week, got into it last night to take her home, got abuot a mile down the road and she started throwing up all sorts of codes, lights getting dimmer, then just lost all power.

Have to get the AA out and looks like the same has happened, the black wire that apprently runs from the alternator/starter motor to this fuse box is shorting and causing the fuse box to melt away.

I've had the fuse box replaced before, but does anyone know how much of a job it is to replace the wiring?

I can supply pictures if need be. :-)

[Dalo Harkin]

Its not hard to replace the wiring, can you see the short? it must be arcing/rubbing on something

[stfc_gti]

Its not hard to replace the wiring, can you see the short? it must be arcing/rubbing on something

Let me put it another way :-)

Is it likely to cost me an arm and a leg if i took it to a vag specialist to do?

[Dalo Harkin]

do it yourself, its not hard, replace the whole wire if needed.

[stfc_gti]

do it yourself, its not hard, replace the whole wire if needed.

i have no mechanical experience whatsoever, would rather it be done by someone who knows what they are doing.

[mcgee9t2]

peice of urine, undo one bolt on the alt, right hand side i belive, chase the wire back to the fuse box, undo it back there, remove wire, remove fuse box like you are changing battery, not sure if new fuse box comes with fuses, if not replace fuses, put fuse box back in and replace/reconnect the wires.

[mcgee9t2]

however i couldnt see a garage charging more than 1 hour labour pluss parts.

[stfc_gti]

hmmm, will have a look when i get a second, now i have a new car,  i guess i can afford to try cirtain things on the golf without the fear of f**king it up and being car-less.

I can source a fuse box, but is there a part number for the wire?

[Wazzzer]

I think it's to do with the cable breaking down and drawing too much power off the alternator, then melting the fuse box. Seems to be more common on the higher powered alternators and not the baby 90amp versions (which is one reason I'm not going to change mine in a hurry)

Any power cable should do as long as it's rated to more than the max output of your alternator. Bear in mind these cables are at least 10 years old now and work constantly when your car is running so it's no wonder they let go

[stfc_gti]

I think it's to do with the cable breaking down and drawing too much power off the alternator, then melting the fuse box. Seems to be more common on the higher powered alternators and not the baby 90amp versions (which is one reason I'm not going to change mine in a hurry)

Any power cable should do as long as it's rated to more than the max output of your alternator. Bear in mind these cables are at least 10 years old now and work constantly when your car is running so it's no wonder they let go

been looking around but cant find the wire i need, could someone point me in the right direction