Happened again... utter frustration :(

The first time it happened I had hydrolocked the engine and supposedly burned the starter. With a new (rebuilt...) starter it started and ran for a long time.

Then one day in the mall parking lot the same happens, I turn the ignition key once, instrument cluster lights up, turn it to start and all power dies. I disconnected the battery and waited a few minutes, reconnected it and the car started up and ran fine for another thousand or so miles.

Today again. I drove around for 50 miles or so in the heavy rain, parked, drove, parked, drove. No problems. Parked at work, the rain was already just a drizzle, half an hour later decided to get out quick for a snack (hectic day), got in the car, turn the key, instruments light up, turn to start, electricity dies. I think, I know what to do. Disconnected battery and left it for like half an hour. But nothing changed. No lights, no life.

All fuses are OK like they've been all other times.

Just when I need a car the most cause I'm starting getting some classes besides work and my TSI is still all over my house...



any ideas please :(

I understand how frustrating this can be. Does the starter turn at all? When you say there's no electrical power, is it completely gone when this happens?

No the starter doesn't turn. When I say no power I mean no power at all, the headlights don't turn on, instrument cluster doesn't light up, nothing clicks or makes a buz. :(

main fuse?

Long shot, but is the negative battery cable good or secure?

All fuses are good.

I just came to work and there was power and it started fine. I'm absolutely at a loss... if I don't know what it is how can I know when next this will happen. :(

Originally posted by fly1
Long shot, but is the negative battery cable good or secure?

I would also check out the positive cable, make sure the post and the connector are both clean and free of corosion. I had this problem about 6 months back, I ended up having to get a new battery cable the corosion was so bad.

Now, is this no power at all anywhere when you're trying to crank it, or you try to crank it, and everything cuts completely off and doesn't come back?

Have you had your battery tested? Sometimes a battery will get an internal sort and it will do some werd stuff.