About John Nelson Expertise All questions on Volkswagen 99.5-present A4 Jetta,1998-present Passat
All Touregs 1998-present Beetle 2003-present Beetle Converible. Please no A3 or B4 body style. fOR TECHNICAL ANSWERS I NEED THE VIN#. Or year, engine,make and model. Please be discriptive so I can help the best way possible.
Experience Six years at a quality analisis program dealership.
Education/Credentials AS degree of automotive science.
Awards and Honors Volkswagen Expert level. ASE Master Auto Technitian, L1 Certified. 2008 Certified.
Expert: John Nelson Date: 4/20/2007 Subject: I think I need blinker fluid....
Question Ok I obviously know that's not the right solution... but here is my problem. I have a 1996 Jetta GLS 5 speed manual transmission... (I don't really know much about cars so I'm just going to tell you what I do know.)
I was having a lot of problems starting it. I bought a new starter and installed it (with the help of my step dad) and it still didn't work. So, my step dad determined that my switch was bad at the ignition so he put in a new switch by bypassing the ignition and giving me a little levery thing that I have to put my key in the ignition so that my battery is engaged and then push this little levery thing to make my car start.
Prior to the new switch, my turn signals worked every once in awhile but usually my flashers would come on no matter if I put my left or right turn signal on. When my step dad still had the car jacked up after installing the new switch the turn signals worked but the other would come on faintly about every third blink. Then we took the car down off the jack and they worked GREAT for three weeks. No flashers at all!
Then, three days ago, my turn signals quit working altogether. I don't know if this is a coincidence or not but when my turn signals quit working, my trunk light started coming on even though my trunk is definitely closed all the way. (I do think that is unrelated but like I said I am telling you what I know.)
So, I checked the fuse for my turn signals and it was blown and I thought "Oh yes! This is an easy fix!" But it wasn't. I put a new fuse in and it blew right away.
So then my step dad said well maybe its the relay. I looked on ebay and I found a little black box thing with the number 191 on it and I was like "slick this will be easy!" (I also have a 95 Jetta that is currently not running. that will be another post) I figured I would just locate relay 191 and pull it out of my 95 Jetta and put it in my 96 Jetta. There is no 191 relay box thing above my fuses.
My next brilliant idea was to just run down to the auto parts store and find out what other numbers it could be because I could just pick it up and plug it in. The guy at the auto parts store said that there is no relay listed for a Jetta and that I just needed this flasher which is a silver round plug thing and it would be fine. (He was pretty rude about all that though so I don't really trust him) I asked him if he might know where I might be able to find this silver nuisance and he said. "It could be anywhere"
So after thanking him for all of his help I came home with my light and mirror and started trying to look for a place to stick this thing. I can't find it. Anywhere. I don't even know that this is the problem! I am asking for help before I completely disassemble my car and can't get it put back together.
Can you please help me?
Answer Well sounds like your over your head with problems. A blown fuse is a short to ground. A bad motor or solenoid can cause a blown fuse but if it blows right away then most of the time its a power circuit touching ground. The rules of electrical apply when testing a short to ground. Most of the time on a A3 body style car there is a problem with the ignition circuit a new switch is needed on a A3 body style jetta golf. The flasher relay is the hazard switch. A lot of the time the problems with the turn signals are the bulbs and the socket. They grow corrosion and or get burned. A new socket and bulb is needed. The fuse that is popping I don't have the faintest clue of what its powering up. A wiring diagram a Volt meter and knowledge of how the system works is what is needed to fix the blown fuse. If your lucky you may be able to find a open insulation of the wiring touching a metal contact of the body known as ground. Just by passing the switch at the ignition is not the answer. If it is bad then it needs to be replaced. By passing the switch only sends power to the starter solenoid. All the other wires on the back of the switch need to be on a switched power circuit as well. Good luck
