Electrical Problem

[trc5000]

I have a 1994 Jetta with a stock 2.0

My problem is when I am driving down the road my car runs like a dream.

The only thing is, if I use the windsheild washers the car dies. It will start right back up though. It did it with the turn signals too occassionally.

I found one of the ground wires (I think) and cleaned it really well. I also removed the distributor cap to see if there was moisture. I also put in a new fuel filter.

Basically the car runs great mechanically, but electrically its got the above mentioned problem.

When I am sitting in a parking lot or something it tends to not happen. It seems to happen only when under power.

[trc5000]

I have a book about VW Jettas that I have been reading...

So far I have done what I said above. I also pulled out the fuses one at a time to see if that had effect.

I know its a short or something, but fixing such a problem is how complicated? Will it cost me an arm and a leg?

Like I said, the engine is great. I even had a mechanic do some minor work on it and he was impressed with how nice it worked. When I did my emissions test it was less than 10% of what was allowed.

Another bit of info that may be helpful... I was living out west in pretty much a desert environment not too long ago. Then I came back to Texas a month ago with lots of humidity and rain. It seemed to start happening a lot since then.

[trc5000]

basically can someone explain where the two electrical paths cross?

My book has electrical diagrams but I am hoping someone can shed a little light for me.

It seems to me that your windsheild washers and turn signals wouldn't effect the spark to the engine. But apparently I am wrong.

[trc5000]

Here is another theory. Maybe it has an effect.

When I came back to the land of the hot and humid water begain collecting in my passengers side floorboard. The AC would dump lots of water there and water would drip on my feet as I drove.

I am thinking maybe as I drive, water was dripping on the fuses or something like that. That could cause a short. Water would occassionally drip on my gas pedal foot as I drove or turned corners etc.

I think I found the problem with the AC. I found the drain for it it and like 2 liters of water came pouring out.

I don't know if it will fix it or not, but its plausible.

[boschmann]

The only thing I can think of is a possible short or bad connection at the ignition switch.

[trc5000]

Originally Posted by boschmann

The only thing I can think of is a possible short or bad connection at the ignition switch.

You know how to test an ignition switch or about how much one costs?

It doesn't look like much to swap it out...

[boschmann]

Try jiggling the key in the lock, turning slightly in each direction to see if the changes when the problem is occurring. The electrical part of the switch isn't expensive, they are a bit of a pain to replace.