2001 Passat 4motion - Intermitten Starting Trouble

[dunnocole]

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!

[boschmann]

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.