Rennie Sawade wrote:

> Apparently, the
> paint was the only thing insulating the battery from the metal cover.

> This looks awfully strange to me.  I can't believe that VW designed it this
> way.  Could it be that this van has the wrong battery installed?

Rennie,

Most batteries have a small plastic "lid" over the positive terminal to protect
from shorts, your battery may be missing just that. A piece of rubber,
cardboard, plastic etc. should do the trick. If your battery is so tall that it
actually touches the cover, it may be too tall, the battery in my Syncro is just
1 cm (~0,5") under, but that is enough. Also check that the cover is straight,
not bent down.

PerL
87 Syncro 112i