Help! 1996 Jetta won't start

[hannah96]

I just purchased a 1996 Jetta GL from a friend three days ago. He said the car needed a new battery but that was the only problem he was aware of. When I purchased the car it still had the factory battery and after jumping it, the car started immediately and drove fine. I tried starting it again after driving home that night and the car alarm went off. So I put in a new battery and now the car won't start at all. The starter solanoid is engaging but the engine will not turn over. I tried jumping it but the car still does not start. It has been suggested that the computer needs to be reset after replacing the battery or else it will not tell the starter to engage or that I should not have used the valet key (without a chip) to start the car after changing the battery. Does anyone know if these suggestions are valid or what the problem could be? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[stuzman]

Originally Posted by hannah96

I just purchased a 1996 Jetta GL from a friend three days ago. He said the car needed a new battery but that was the only problem he was aware of. When I purchased the car it still had the factory battery and after jumping it, the car started immediately and drove fine. I tried starting it again after driving home that night and the car alarm went off. So I put in a new battery and now the car won't start at all. The starter solanoid is engaging but the engine will not turn over. I tried jumping it but the car still does not start. It has been suggested that the computer needs to be reset after replacing the battery or else it will not tell the starter to engage or that I should not have used the valet key (without a chip) to start the car after changing the battery. Does anyone know if these suggestions are valid or what the problem could be? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I have a 96 Jetta also and have had the battery connections off several times. When the battery cable(s) are reinstalled, the alarm will sound. I insert the ignition key in the door lock and turn the key. This disarms the alarm and sound. Make sure that you have good connections at the battery, solenoid and starter motor.

[hannah96]

Originally Posted by stuzman

I have a 96 Jetta also and have had the battery connections off several times. When the battery cable(s) are reinstalled, the alarm will sound. I insert the ignition key in the door lock and turn the key. This disarms the alarm and sound. Make sure that you have good connections at the battery, solenoid and starter motor.

I have checked all connections and the car still won't start. All auxiliary functions (headlights, stereo, dash lights, etc.) turn on when I try to start the car, so I know the battery connection is good, and the solenoid is working... I had a friend/mechanic look at it and he can't figure it out either.

[stuzman]

Originally Posted by hannah96

I have checked all connections and the car still won't start. All auxiliary functions (headlights, stereo, dash lights, etc.) turn on when I try to start the car, so I know the battery connection is good, and the solenoid is working... I had a friend/mechanic look at it and he can't figure it out either.

Since you've checked all the connections, you have only two possibilities left. Either the contacts for the solenoid are defective or the starter motor is the problem.