VW Golf Electrics

[Stupid8]

I have a 1995 Golf GTI 2 litre, 2 door. After recently getting an oil leak fixed - pump had to be replaced - it has come back from the garage and the electrics are playing up. Namely the dials reset back to zero and the clock goes back to zero when i turn the ignition, there is a painful electrical grinding noise when this happens also the central locking doesn't work now (Key operated not remote). Does this sound like a knocked wire or something similar? Be greateful for any help as am totally useless with cars and would like to have an idea before I take it back to the garage or I risk getting royally ripped off I reckon!! Thanks in advance folks

[spammylou]

Did this problem occurr immediately you got it back from the garage? It sounds to me like a wire has been switched round or something like that, definitely electrical i would say. I have not had anything like this with any of the 9 vw golfs i've owned, two mk3 gti's at present.  Electrics are generally very good on these and don't fail bizarrely like this for nothing.  If your garage are half decent they will check this out for you for nothing seeing as this has occurred after this work has taken place.

[Ralph]

Does it start? Mine (1999 TDI) did this when it had a rubbish battery in it. I'd try to start it at the weekend (I don't use it during the week) and it'd turn over once then all the clocks would reset with a drrrrrrrr noise with the speedo needle flicking backwards and forwards against the stop. I'd then have to get a boost. Finally had to get a new battery, good as gold since.

If yours does start, then it's obviously not the same! Does sound electrics related and most probably due to something the garage did.

[Stupid8]

Thanks Ralph and Spammylou - think the batterry is ok due to the fact that the car starts, sometimes whines a bit but generally ok - main concern is petrol tank dial changes rapidly from journey to journey and all dials reset on ignition although stay in final position when engine is off - i.e. half tank of petrol mark as opposed to zeroing out like normal. Really weird as windows work fine - just central locking not working as well as dials on dash. Garage are baffled at present! Great