97 jetta VR6 GLX electrical problems...please help!!!!

My car needs help!!!

I have a 97 Jetta VR6 GLX model. It is having some serious electrical problems; maybe someone out there can help me?

I have had it at two different VW dealers in the last year; I have left it at both places weeks at a time. They are still scratching their heads, but have no problems charging me labor on something that is still not fixed. I realize electrical is like a needle in a haystack, however, you would think the dealership should be able to find the cause.
Here's what is going on:

When the headlights are ON: 1: The blinker signal in the dash will intermittently illuminate and stay on (steady), (both left and right signals at the same time) then turn off, it seems to happen when I am accelerating, or the engine is under any load (down shifting ect.) or bumpy roads. When I switch the headlights off (while the lights are illuminated), the blinkers turn off. But, if I turn the headlights back on the blinkers re- illuminates if the car is under the same situation mentioned above.

2. Cruise control will intermittently work; it is tied to # 1 because it will work until the blinker lights illuminates. Therefore, when I need cruise, I have to turn off the headlights.

3: My check engine light comes on OBDII points to vehicle control/speed sensors This causes my speedometer to freak out (bouncing, or not working at all). This does not change even if the headlights are off.
(apparently there are a few in the tranny), all have been changed at this point. Light still comes on, but will turn off and everything is ok for a few days, then come back on.

4. Blown bulbs constantly!! Especially in the rear. The sockets have been “repaired” several times.

The only thing that the VW dealers have came up with is, there is an electrical surge that blows my bulbs, and melts the contacts for the bulbs. They do not know the cause of the electrical surge, and really don’t seem to care about finding the issue.

I have taken it to another shop, they have gone though all of the wiring under the hood and removed the dash tightened all the wires ect. They have half fixed the blinker problem, now only the side right blinker illuminates, instead of both. They are not sure what "fixed" it, because they just went through wiring, and the harnesses, cleaning and tightning.

Mechanically it runs great, just these electrical issues. LOL “just”

If any one has any insight, PLEASE let me know!! I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

Aimee

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MK3 vw's had lots of electrical problems bue to poor wire routing and poor quality wires needed to cut back on costs.

Unfortunately it looks like you have a wiring harness issue like stated above. The engine wiring harness is connected to the light wiring harness. When the engine is under load it pulls the harness thus creating a short between the headlight wires/turn signal wires/ cruise control wires somewhere in the harness. It doesnt sound like you have an open circuit problem or corrosion problem unless some connector is so heavily corroded but that would be noticable if some "shop" checked the harness. Has anyone ever installed aftermarket electrical components on you car? Putting extra wires through the firewall or cutting into harness wrapping to hide the extra wires.? It sounds like the wiring issue is in the engine bay somewhere. THere is a main harness connector next to the coil pack check the wires there. A GOOD wiring diagram (not chiltons or other crappy ones) like a VW one will help determine if the headlight wires are anywhere near the turn signal wires or cruise wires. A faulty headlight switch could also be the cause although I dont believe mk3's have the turn signal wires going through the headlight switch.

Thank you for your quick reply. I will let the shop know to check that out, they have had my car for 2 straight weeks now, plus a whole week at the beginning of February. There is some type of anti theft thing under the dash, I believe this type was pretty popular years ago, it was disabled when I bought the car.

I purchased a VW repair manual (the type that the mechanics use at the dealers, defiantly not cheap). I will check to see if this shop has one like mine. I am defiantly having Jetta withdrawals! If you can think of anything else, please let me know. I will f/u.
Thanks!
Aimee

Just because it's a '97 I would see if anything changes if you turn the ignition switch sligthly forward & back. I have seen some really strange things happen when it goes bad, and it is so common on your car (recalled).

Ok, update, The Mechanic believes it is the dash cluster¬¬¬ harness is faulty. He reached, from the bottom of my dash, up behind the cluster, and lightly tapped it. My gauges and sensors went nuts! We both feel it should not be that sensitive. He checked everything that I have forwarded from here. We went ahead and ordered the part, will not be here until Tuesday (that is if the right one actually shows up).

I am either a die hard, or a fool (I believe they both fall in the same category!) I just paid $250.00 in labor to have my Jetta put back together so I can drive it for 6 days, until the part gets here. It was in pieces from them checking every electrical line.

I can honestly say that the $250.00 is worth every penny, (remember it has been in the shop for 2 weeks now). Driving my Jetta is like a natural high, I am seriously addicted. I must be, because the $250 was just to put it together, it does not include what labor has incurred already. Thank god my husband spoils me.
I will update when the part is replaced, maybe my experience (better yet, nightmare) will help someone get their VW back faster (and save on labor).

I forgot to add this Problem prevously # 5 The speedometer was going crazy!! It woudl bounce around, as if it is not hooked up, then will not work at all, then will work fine. I have had 2 of the 3 speed indicators replaced, still the same problem, then we figured it was the harness, listed above.

While waiting for the harness,
6th problem: the speedometer went out completely for about a week, I could gauge the speed by the tach and gear, but then everything in the dash went blank, not even the clock worked. Thank God I could still drive it! However, I did get a speeding ticket!

The part finally came in, and was changed; the only thing that it fixed was the speedometer..nice. The mechanic tore my entire dash cluster apart; the electrical board had cracked/burned points/joints. I looked at the board, it was VERY cheaply put together. He sodered the points, a definite temporary fix. He installed the rigged cluster, everything worked, except the head light issue.

We finally found the wires that were causing the problem; they were tucked under the metal lip that curves over the radiator. The clip that held the wires had worn the plastic covering and was rubbing agents 3 bare wires. As soon as he fixed those, the headlight blew, which in turn sent a surge to the rigged cluster, which caused me to have no illumination on the dash, problem # 7. There was no question the cluster was going to be replaced. For those of you who do not know what the cluster is, it is the area that houses all of the gages (speedometer, tach, gas, temp, clock ect). The whole thing pulls out.


The cluster FINNALY came in, there are no problems remaining. I am a little disappointed that the new cluster has the black background; my other one had the silver backing. In addition, to have the original miles put on it would be another $275.00.

I would highly suggest any Jetta owner to replace the cluster, the new ones are completely updated, in my area they are under $300.00. From what I have found, it causes the majority of VW problems. It is a lot cheaper to replace it, then to pay over $1,200 just in labor.

wow, i haven't had any major electrical issues yet.
(knock on wood) my car is the same year and model as yours. i will keep this in mind jsut in case tho.