I have recently acquired a 2001 Passat 4Motion. It didnt have a user's manual. The check engine light is on. In the last 3 days, I had trouble with starting it. It's intermittent. The battery seems very strong because all electrical system work just fine (radio, windows, lights, etc). I keep trying to start and it finally starts after a few minutes and a few tries. Immediately after the eninge runs, a message on the dash shows "Alternator Workshop". What does that mean? My battery is fine so we know it's charging the battery. What else could be wrong with it? I had a few friends suggested checking the fuse but since I dont have a user's manual, I don't know where the fuse box is. I looked under the hood but had no luck. Please help!

There is no fuse for the alternator or charging system. The only things you can do yourself are to check all the connections for looseness & corrosion at the battery, starter & alternator. You will probably need to have someone with a charging system analyzer check it out.