2004 Volkswagen Beetle i needed a new battery

2004 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
35,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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THOOGENBOOM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
after my battery died, i jump started it and took it to my local tire store. they did a diagnostic which indicated i needed a new battery. after i got it home, all kinds of bells and whistles started chiming: seat belt, brake light, then after a day the EPS. i took it back to the place and told them what was happening but they said they were not sure what it was. took it to the vw dealer where i bought the car and they said it was "the improper installation of a battery or jump start". i have checked with several people and all said the batter when improperly jump started will spark or leave smoke, or not start at all. i am convinced this happened when they installed the battery. ..and it took 3 hours! thanks for any feedback i can take to the tire store. vw dealer is estimating $2-3,000 to fix!!!!
Nov 10, 2009 at 7:23 PM
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RACEFAN966
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 5,029 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Ok here is the procedure for replacing a battery on a newer computerized car. You first make sure all electical is off including key. Now you disconnect the negative battery cable first then disconnect the possitive cable. Now remove bad battery put in new on and put possitive cable on first then negative cable. This will insure no electrical spikes that cause havic on the system.
Nov 10, 2009 at 9:07 PM
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