Check the connection to the alternator.  The cable that connected my
alternator had a small cut in it.  The result was, the power to the interior
lights and radio would come in and out.  Eventually the cable split and I
lost everything.

on 2/24/01 7:25 AM, Don Hundt at dhundt@PCEZ.COM wrote:

Hi all,
I have an 82 diesel (converted to 83 gti) with a strange problem. when I
tried to start it this morning,it turned over normally for a moment, then
stopped. next attempt I got a click click click click from the back, then
all of a sudden nothing worked. No lights, no radio, etc. I tried turning it
over again, very weak glow from idiot lights. waited a few seconds, tried
again, Click, nothing, a repeat of the first attempt. here is the strange
part- on a couple of attempts, my stereo turned itself on. The stereo is
always hot, have to turn it off manually, so it was definitely hot. I had
thought earlier his week I had noticed a little lag time between turning the
key and the actual start, also one day I got into it, started fine, but all
my radio preset were wiped clean.

This van has't had many electrical problems, I am stumped. I did have to
replace the load reduction relay a couple weeks ago, but other than
that.....
Could it be the ignition switch, my gti fuel pump relay, internal short in
the battery? any ideas? this car is my only transportation, so any help
would be appreciated.
Don

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