12th Dec 2006, 22:55

I purchased a 2002 Jetta (57,000mi) last may. I have not experienced any problems until recently. I cannot take the automatic transmisson out of park. The brake light stays lit even while I am pressing the brake pedal. Likewise, when I press the brake the rear brake lights fail to light up. There is plently of brake fluid in the main chamber so I do not think it is a matter of lack of brake fluid pressure. I am assuming it is a mere electrical problem, perhaps as simple as replacing a mere fuse. I was hoping someone could help me out before I take it to a shop and get charged hundreds for a problem that may only cost me a few cents.

18th Dec 2006, 00:11

To the person who posted on Nov 20, 2006 (and others) regarding the radio-dead battery-alarm system situation:

I had the same problem for several months and took it to three dealers, spending lots of money for "diagnostics" with no relief. (Unfortunately taking out the #42 fuse trick was not working either.)

FINALLY, the VW in Sacramento figured out the problem: the radio was not shutting off properly internally. This was causing the battery to drain. Since the alarm system relies on the battery, it would not work either. Apparently it's an electrical wiring thing.

The mechanic disconnected the radio and YAY! I have not had one dead battery since this got fixed in October! This was such a relief after needing at least one jump a week before figuring this out.

Hope this helps. The next time this happens to you, tell them to just snip the radio wires.

Now I just miss listening to tunes in my car!

19th Dec 2006, 19:50

I had a 1996 Golf GL. Very nice car. Not perfect, but faithful and logical. It was still running well when I donated it at 225,000 miles. I replaced it with a 2002 Jetta 1.8T. If I had known then what I know now I would have left it on the lot. I did purchase the extended warranty.

My problem is with the air conditioner. After running the unit, restarting the car produced a noxious smelling gas that is not present if the A/C has not been operated. I took it to the dealer where it was purchased and they told me that it tested o.k. They put some kind of disinfectant into the system which masked it for a few weeks. It is winter now so it is not an issue. However, summer will be coming around again and it gets really hot in Sacramento for a few months. Any help from anyone experiencing this problem would be greatly appreciated.

20th Dec 2006, 20:36

I have a Golf GL 2002, and I'm on my third battery. The radio dies, then eventually the battery. I brought it to a mechanic (NOT the dealer) today and he said the alternator is fine. He said the radio is not working properly and the wiring is not correct, and it's draining the battery. At last, I have a solution. Thanks to your posts too, I know I am not alone.

22nd Dec 2006, 14:16

Just had the battery problem with my 2002 Jetta. Another thing to pile on the list of problems with this car over the years.

First the antenna shaft broke off. The next day, just after scanning the Internet for a replacement antenna, I noticed the radio wasn't working at all. Today, the car was completely dead.

I just bought a new car the other day, same exact day the antenna came off the Jetta. Funny, its as if the Jetta knew I was about to get rid of it and was having one last tantrum. I would never buy another Volkswagen or and Audi for that matter. I used to have a Honda Accord, and never had a single problem with it.

Glad to hear I'm not alone. I just wish I had read this site and had tried the fuse trick before the battery drained.

2nd Jan 2007, 17:21

Thanks for all the great info. Perhaps I missed it, but dash airbag light is on and couple of others, radio not working, car won't start without jump, (new battery yesterday) pulled the #42 fuse and nothing changes. HELP!Not happy. 64k miles... like new. Just started doing this last week. I have had it since May 06.

13th Jan 2007, 11:52

Wow, I have owned a 2002 Jetta since new. There are so many things I enjoy about the car, but I have had this battery issue since early in ownership. I rarely drive the car and have less than 20,000 miles on it. I was told by mechanics that my rare use was allowing the computer to run down the battery, but now I see from all of these posts that there is a bigger problem... apparently the radio is not turning off. I have been close to selling this car so many times. I have a question, has anyone figured out if a new, non-factory radio installed will solve the problem or is it the mechanical working of the wiring that is the problem? Thanks for the posts and helpful sharing.

18th Jan 2007, 06:03

Hi all, I've had the same troubles with my 2002 Jetta. Passenger window fell into the door (luckily it was still under warranty). And now for the second time in six months, my radio system will stop working and then my battery will die a week or so later. I really want to trade in my car, but I won't be able to for a few months. Will someone please let me know if replacing the radio system entirely helps? Otherwise, I have a seven year warranty on my battery and will probably have to replace it over and over until I can trade it in. If you're shopping for a used 2002 Jetta--beware!

23rd Jan 2007, 18:08

I have a 2002 Jetta TDi, and I had my mechanic look at the lighter (which didn't work when I bought the car) and he said it was just the fuse, and replaced it for free. Apparently if you jam plugs into the lighter outlet at the wrong angle it bumps something that causes the lighter to stop working.

I just had the problem with my radio, so I will try your fix tonight. Hope it works!

30th Jan 2007, 00:10

I have an '02 Jetta with a constant Engine Light on. I had the light code checked and it read "Catylist threshold below bank 1 crossed". But the car ran fine. To be safe, I decided to have a pro look at it. Took it to the mechanic and they said it was my O2 sensors ($600) and/or my Cat converter ($300). So I got the O2 sensors fixed because I had 85k miles on it and they tend to go bad around then. 1 Week later the light comes on again. I get it checked again. Same light code. So this time, I get the cat converter fixed. 1 week later the light shows up again with the same code. The car is still running smoothly. No other problems what soever. Mechanics are stumped and say that in theory, all that was done to the car to fix the light, has been done. They thought that maybe it was a switch that VW had to turn over or something. I think they might be right, but want to know if anybody else has had the same prob. Let me know.

-Rich

richworld1979@yahoo.com.