New Member Greetings and Question

1471 Views 19 Replies 14 Participants Last post by BumbleBeeTDI, Sep 8, 2010

bonniebeetle

Discussion Starter · Aug 26, 2010

Hello all! I am brand new to this forum. I am from Florida and I have a Green 2006 2.5 L New Beetle

I really love my car, and it is super fun and perfect for me.

Lately, however, I have been experiencing some weird behavior from Bonnie (my Beetle...hee hee). First, when I would lock her using the key fob, I would not always hear the "meep" sound, and then one day it just completely stopped. Then, she would not even lock when I used the fob, so I would lock her manually. Now, everytime I lock my car, the hazards/anti-theft alarm goes off. Sometimes it makes a "beep" sound, other times it is silent.

Another issue that has come up the last few weeks, is my car will not start. I have had two jumps and both times, it will crank up right away. I'm not sure if it is the battery, alternator, or if the problem is somewhat related to the electrical mishaps stated above.

Has anyone else been experiencing these types of weird behaviors from their New Beetles? Or perhaps, just some words of advice? I would really greatly appreciate it!!!

Thank you so much, in advance for taking the time to read this and any help you have to offer.

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

SixChuter

· #2 · Aug 26, 2010

Welcome to the Ogr! I can't help you with the starting problem but I'm sure someone here will help you find the answer to the problem.

In regard to the fob, have you tried a fresh battery?

Lastly, we would love to see pictures of Bonnie.

antonym

· #3 · Aug 26, 2010

WELCOME!!!!!

You need to hook up with AL (Scaraby2k). There are a bunch of nice peops in J'ville. I am down in G'ville.

peanutsmom

· #4 · Aug 26, 2010

Welcome!! I can't wait to see pics of Bonnie.. I can only think of maybe the battery is going dead.. Try that then maybe the micro switches in the doors are going bad.. Mine are dead so I have to lock the doors manually but I don't have the org keyless entry either.. All I have are the valet keys.. Good luck though.. Hope someone can help you..

Maggadog

· #5 · Aug 26, 2010

I think you need a new battery, especially if the one in your car is original. Hopefully, you do not need an alternator repair or replacement.
I am going through this now, with my '06.

dedwards0323

· #6 · Aug 26, 2010

Maggadog said:
I think you need a new battery, especially if the one in your car is original. Hopefully, you do not need an alternator repair or replacement.
I am going through this now, with my '06.

I agree with Maggadog. I just put a new battery on our 2006 NB 2.5 Convertible. Had the car since April and early this month the car wouldn't start one morning when the wife was getting ready to leave for work. Any of the 2006 NB's are getting on to 4 years with the factory battery. Getting much more life than that would be "looking a gift horse in the mouth". I put a new battery in and the car has peformed flawlessly since.

It's my experience that a car battery won't go much past 4 years for most folks without replacement. If your trips to work or around town everyday are short (> 20 min), you probably don't drive long enough for the alternator to fully charge the battery on a regular basis.

bonniebeetle

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 26, 2010

Thank You!!!

Thank you all so much!! I ended up taking it down to Auto Zone, because they test for free and sure enough the battery was dead. You guys rock! I got a new one from Sam's, cuz they are really inexpensive ($70), but they were not able to install it for me. They said the same thing at Auto Zone too. Something about insurance and because the fuse box is on top of it. Is this a hard task to take on myself?? My boyfriend is really good with cars, but I know Volkwagen's can be a bit tricky. What do you guys think?

Again, thank you so much for all of your help. I will have pictures soon!! =)

Fl_bug

· #8 · Aug 26, 2010

bonniebeetle said:
Thank you all so much!! I ended up taking it down to Auto Zone, because they test for free and sure enough the battery was dead. You guys rock! I got a new one from Sam's, cuz they are really inexpensive ($70), but they were not able to install it for me. They said the same thing at Auto Zone too. Something about insurance and because the fuse box is on top of it. Is this a hard task to take on myself?? My boyfriend is really good with cars, but I know Volkwagen's can be a bit tricky. What do you guys think?

Again, thank you so much for all of your help. I will have pictures soon!! =)

Its easily doable. Make sure you have your radio code handy first if its a stock radio

bonniebeetle

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 26, 2010

Fl_bug said:
Its easily doable. Make sure you have your radio code handy first if its a stock radio

Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes.

scarabY2k

· #10 · Aug 27, 2010

Sounds like you're getting your problems solved from the good people- great! Keep us posted on the resolve.

in other news...
:jawdrop: WOW a fellow orger from Jax:jawdrop: This is too awesome for words! So glad to have you a part of the org family. Please keep posting, especially with pics of Bonnie- like the name

.

Hope that you'll become active with our growing Jacksonville nB group.

Welcome to the party:wave2:

dedwards0323

· #11 · Aug 27, 2010

bonniebeetle said:
Thank you all so much!! I ended up taking it down to Auto Zone, because they test for free and sure enough the battery was dead. You guys rock! I got a new one from Sam's, cuz they are really inexpensive ($70), but they were not able to install it for me. They said the same thing at Auto Zone too. Something about insurance and because the fuse box is on top of it. Is this a hard task to take on myself?? My boyfriend is really good with cars, but I know Volkwagen's can be a bit tricky. What do you guys think?

Again, thank you so much for all of your help. I will have pictures soon!! =)

Attached is the procedure for changing the battery in your NB. Everything is fairly simple with the only "watch out" being the removal of the holddown bolt on the bottom front. Make sure you don't drop this! It's a "b-itch" to locate it from down under. I believe it's possible to never find the bolt if this happens. I know this first hand. Spent nearly 2 hours looking for the bolt when I dropped it during my battery change. Finding the bolt was just "blind ass luck!"

If you have any questions, get back to me.

Good Luck,

dedwards0323

· #12 · Aug 27, 2010 (Edited)

bonniebeetle said:
Thank you all so much!! I ended up taking it down to Auto Zone, because they test for free and sure enough the battery was dead. You guys rock! I got a new one from Sam's, cuz they are really inexpensive ($70), but they were not able to install it for me. They said the same thing at Auto Zone too. Something about insurance and because the fuse box is on top of it. Is this a hard task to take on myself?? My boyfriend is really good with cars, but I know Volkwagen's can be a bit tricky. What do you guys think?

Again, thank you so much for all of your help. I will have pictures soon!! =)

If your boyfriend feels uncomfortable doing the battery change after looking at the Service Procedure, consider the following:

1) Since you bought the battery at Sam's Club (I bought mine at Wal-Mart - probably the same battery), go to a nearby Wal-Mart & see if they'll install it for you. Same basic organization. Take the Service Procedure with you in case they haven't done a NB before. See what they say.

2) Another option is to take the new battery & your NB to a local VW dealer and have them install it. You'll pay a bit, but they've also done it many times before so they know the steps for the task. My only advice is make sure the VW Service Tech puts everything back. Most dealer Service Techs are famous for leaving off stuff they feel isn't necessary. (Note: No offense meant for the Service Techs out there on this Forum - just my experience over the years.)

akasha1963

· #13 · Aug 27, 2010

My replacement battery was much larger than the one that died in mine. Had a heck of a time trying to get it in until I finally took the liner out, slid it onto the battery then it just dropped right into place.

Welcome to the Org, it's addictive.

4SEVEN3

· #14 · Aug 28, 2010

Welcome!
Hope you can get your battery installed soon and properly!

bonniebeetle

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 5, 2010

Success!!!

We did it!!! Thank you all so much for all of your help and advice. We got the battery replaced and everything is golden! Thanks ya'll!!!!

dedwards0323

· #16 · Sep 5, 2010

bonniebeetle said:
We did it!!! Thank you all so much for all of your help and advice. We got the battery replaced and everything is golden! Thanks ya'll!!!!

Glad to hear that this exercise worked out well. :clap:

Now - Go enjoy your beetle! :dance2:

Later,

BibiBug

· #17 · Sep 7, 2010

Welcome! Love your Beetle's name (it's my mom's nickname!) and would love to see your pics! I have developed quite a crush on green Beetles!

Abbie2007Beetle

· #18 · Sep 7, 2010

glad to read that u got the battery changed

i hope to see pics of bonnie soon

caddick

· #19 · Sep 8, 2010

If the new battery doesn't work, your bug is just unhappy that you stand on his rear!

BumbleBeeTDI

· #20 · Sep 8, 2010

really nice NB, welcome to the ORG!!!

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

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