i think it's something electrical because after it turned off(lights, radio, engine, time and mileage went out), i popped the hood open, moved the battery cables a few times before i got the car to turn on. i drive a jetta. i noticed that each battery cable has 2 small bolts to keep it in place, and one of the cables only has one. may this be the problem?
Answers:
You have a lose connection at the battery. Inspect all the battery cable connections (at BOTH ends of each cable). Make sure they're all tight and free of corrosion. A wire brush and a little baking soda (in water) solution works good for cleaning up corrosion on the connections.
Replace the bolt so that there is a good connection and make sure to keep the posts and cables free of corrosion.
Your problem might be a little more complicated then just a loose battery cable! You see, once the engine starts, it produces more then enough electric power to run the engine, as a matter of fact it produces enough to recharge the battery while running the engine. You can actually start the car and remove the battery and the engine should not quit. I'd look at the whole charging system.
Yes, it is probably the charging system at fault too. Once the engine is running, the electrical system is powered by the energy from the alternator.
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