Oh dear...

[Manaz]

Well, I know this post is gonna make me mighty unpopular...
But before you judge, I'm not in a very good financial situation right now.

Totally understand, have been unemployed for a few weeks myself, and it's already not a good place to be.

I have LOTS of problems with my car. I'll just start off with what is absolutely vital atm.
So, my car is constantly running out of battery. To start it I have to push start or use a jumpstarter. I can then drive around for hours, park my car for 2 minutes and it will be flat again. Is this sounding like a battery, or alternator problem?

Once the car is running, you don't use the battery much at all, the alternator provides all the current required to run things whilst the engine is running. Based on the fact that the car operates fine when the engine's running, I'd say your battery is most likely cactus, and is refusing to take a charge. Easiest way to tell is to put a multimeter across the terminals when the engine isn't running - it should produce 12v, but I'm willing to bet it's producing only 10v or even 8v (meaning it's dropped a cell or two). You'll need a new battery regardless of whether the alternator's also stuffed, so that would be a good start.

Also, whilst push starting it after work last night, my ABS failed and the car was telling me to STOP. When I got about halfway home, I decided to test if the ABS really had failed. I slammed on the brakes, and unsurprisingly, the ABS wasn't working.
Does this sound expensive?

My guess is that the ABS disabled itself due to there being no battery power available to it as the car started. Get the battery replaced.

Oh, and here's the worst bit...
My car is 10,000k's overdue for a service as I had no job for about 6 months and no centrelink support. I'm new to Adelaide and not sure on what sort of service cost I'll be expecting, or where the best place is to have my car seen to. I've been talking to random Volkswagen and Audi drivers I've run into around the place, and most seem to recommend AVW or Solitaire.
So I was wondering if anyone here could kinda give me a heads up on what I'll be expecting to pay for a 120,000k service?

The easiest way to get an estimate for this is to call a VW dealership service department and ask them. That will give you a worst-case situation. I can't remember if 100,000km or 120,000km is a major service on the Mk4, the service department will know.

Then you can work on finding an independent workshop - talking to fellow SA dubbers will help here, as you'll quickly learn which places have a good reputation and which do not.

Thankyou, and sorry if I've made any enemies by letting my car get in this state.

p.s. Please don't think of me as some neglectful moronic kid. This car was bought from interstate without an inspection and has been a money pit since it was out of warranty. All up this car has cost over 25k, not including rego, tyres, etc.
But somehow I still love it and couldn't imagine ever selling it. I've never been so emotionally attached to a car before, and if I sold it in this state it'd be a massive loss. I want this car like new again.

No enemies here. Given how much you've pumped into the car so far, selling it would just leave you at a terrible loss, so for the sake of what could only be a few hundred dollars, I'd be persisting.

One thing you didn't mention is exactly what vehicle it is?

[PhillipAudiDealer]

Totally understand, have been unemployed for a few weeks myself, and it's already not a good place to be.



Once the car is running, you don't use the battery much at all, the alternator provides all the current required to run things whilst the engine is running. Based on the fact that the car operates fine when the engine's running, I'd say your battery is most likely cactus, and is refusing to take a charge. Easiest way to tell is to put a multimeter across the terminals when the engine isn't running - it should produce 12v, but I'm willing to bet it's producing only 10v or even 8v (meaning it's dropped a cell or two). You'll need a new battery regardless of whether the alternator's also stuffed, so that would be a good start.



My guess is that the ABS disabled itself due to there being no battery power available to it as the car started. Get the battery replaced.



The easiest way to get an estimate for this is to call a VW dealership service department and ask them. That will give you a worst-case situation. I can't remember if 100,000km or 120,000km is a major service on the Mk4, the service department will know.

Then you can work on finding an independent workshop - talking to fellow SA dubbers will help here, as you'll quickly learn which places have a good reputation and which do not.



No enemies here. Given how much you've pumped into the car so far, selling it would just leave you at a terrible loss, so for the sake of what could only be a few hundred dollars, I'd be persisting.

One thing you didn't mention is exactly what vehicle it is?

If it is any help.

I am looking for a Foreman for our Holden Workshop. I need techs always (you can never have to many techs).Another Service Advisor. I am growing in sales as well and also need a salesperson.

PM Peoples Jobs are out their ( If you are quailified for these positions or want to work in these fields)