98 Jetta Desparately needs help
 

Hi, all. New to the post. Just bought a jetta yesterday to drive to work. Drove fine all day. Then the gauges died. Pulled over and shut off thinking it might reset them, but when I tried restart, no pwr to fuel pump, gauges, or starter at all. Replaced both the fuel pump, and ignition switch to no avail. Please help!!!

1998 Volks Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0

Alternator? I'm not fimilar with any electrical problems that would cause that, check your cables and fuses.

Sounds like the alternator to me. I had mine go this summer. It pretty much went in a similar fashion. Drove it to go hiking just fine. Came back from hike and tried to start her up. Dash lit up like it's supposed to, but the starter just sputtered. AAA jumped the battery, but I just barely made it home the 10-miles with some new warning light going off every few miles before I for the most part rolled into the driveway.

You need to check and see if the battery is holding its charge. If it isn't and it's a good battery, then it's probably the alternator.

98 Jetta Desparately needs help
 

I need some transmision work done on a automatic transmission for a 99 jetta. Any recommendations on where to get it done at?. thx in advance for any info.

Start your own thread man. Don't thread jack someone else's topic.

As for the PO, does any electrical work? If not the alternator is probably the culprit. If that went out you only have a certain amount of time before the car finally dies due to a dead battery.

I would trickle charge the batt overnight if it's low and try to start it the next morning. If all is well then get it down to a local shop of your and get the charging system inspected.

If you have a digital multi meter try this: Charge up the battery and start the car (if you can). attach the DMM to the batt while the car is running. If the read out says something in the neighborhood of 13.5-14.5 volts then your alternator is working fine and you have other electrical issues.

If the battery in your car is in good condition,you can check the alternator by having the engine on. The voltage across the battery terminals should be 13.5 to 14.5 volts.Double check to see that the alternator belt is tensioned properly and in good condition.