Date:         Sun, 11 May 2003 13:56:25 -0400
Reply-To:     David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>
Subject:      Re: Hey folks;  horror;  New Beetle?
Comments: To: "Horace K. Sawyer" <hksawyer@CATT.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Replace the battery before you get too worried.  The load of the battery is
vital for the proper functioning of the alternator and voltage regulator.
Without it there's nothing to take up spikes in the system and provide
reserve power for heavy loads (like power windows.)

If it was let sit at 1.7V for long the plates are sulfated, and the internal
resistance is so high it's like driving with the battery cables
disconnected.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Horace K. Sawyer" <hksawyer@CATT.COM>

> What I am hoping for (read:  praying) is that this battery is just
> getoasten and low voltage is causing these weird happenstances.  Have to
> wait for the dealer to open up this week I guess because no parts store of
> any kind around here seems to have a battery for that car.  When I got
home
> after a two hour drive, I shut the car off and guess what?  When I opened
> the door the light didn't even come on.  Turned the key and nada,
> nothing.  Deader than Hector.
>
> Folks, I've never seen anything like it.  It's good to be back.