Total Power Loss - 10 Nov 2001

Captain's Log - Details - 10 Nov 2001

from Stargazer's Passat - http://www.istargazer.ca

Stardate 10.11.2001 64809 km.

I had my first hiccup with the car today . After a great day of spirited driving, I got back to town to pick up some take-out. When I got back into the car and inserted the key into the ignition, I lost all power. The interior lights cut out, the power locks did not work, and I could not arm the car with the remote--the car was dead.

I fiddled around trying to start it a couple of times and then got out of the car. I opened the trunk, noticed that the trunk light was on, and just like that, the car was alive again!! The MFA and Trip ODO were reset and the radio lost its station (even though the presets were kept). I'm pretty sure I'll have to redo the seat/mirror memory, although I haven't tested it out yet. I also have to reset the windows auto-up (auto-down still works). Strange.

Stardate 12.11.2001

Well, the car seems to be operating normally. I had to reset the power seat/mirror memory and re-activate the automatic closing and opening function of the power windows. I just followed the information in the owner's manual on what to do when the battery is disconnected and then reconnected. Let's hope this was just an anomoly!

Stardate 13.11.2001 64822 km.

It happened again ! I pulled into my driveway after work today and debated whether or not to turn the engine off as I loaded the kids into the car. I made the wrong choice, because just as I turned the key in the ignition to start, all power cut out again. I immediately opened and closed the trunk--didn't think I saw a light--but then the car started anyway. I have an appointment the day after tomorrow for some service, so I'll have them check it out.

Stardate 14.11.2001 Problem Resolved!

After some helpful tips from people over at ClubB5, I found that one of the battery cables was loose, and that was causing the loss of power. I tightened things up and that should be the end of it .

Power Windows: Automatic closing and opening function

from page 24, 1999 Passat Owner's Manual

To reactivate this feature, do the following: Lock the vehicle via the driver's door or the front passenger door (basically, from the outside, using the key not the remote). Before doing this, make sure that all the doors and windows are completely closed. Lock the vehicle once again and hold the key in the lock position for at least 1 second. Automatic closing / opening is now reactivated.

Power Seat/Mirror Memory: Initializing the Memory System

from page 61, 1999 Passat Owner's Manual

After disconnecting the vehicle battery, you must "reinitialize" the memory system, otherwise is it (sic) no longer possible to store things in memory.

Open the driver's door.
Switch the ignition on.
Move the seat to the front and top stops (see p. 57).
Move the backrest forward to the stop (see p. 57).

The memory system is now reinitialized and thus again fully functional. Note: I just opened the door and moved the seat bottom and seat back all the way forward.

Assigning a seat and mirror setting to a memory button using the remote control:

from page 59, 1999 Passat Owner's Manual

If the vehicle battery is disconnected, all assignments between the remote control and memory buttons are erased.

After you have adjusted your seat and the inside mirror, you have 10 seconds to assign this setting to a memory button via the remote control.

Remove the key from the ignition lock.
Press the "open" button on the remote control and hold it until you hear an acoustic signal to let you know that the seat and mirror positions have been assigned to a memory button.