# 1997 VW Eurovan Electrical Problem

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-vw-eurovan-electrical-problem/79024>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** eurovan, volkswagen\
**Created:** [April 29, 2013, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-vw-eurovan-electrical-problem/79024 "2013-04-29T23:52:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Surfgator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@Surfgator](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Surfgator)\
**Post date:** [April 29, 2013, 11:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-vw-eurovan-electrical-problem/79024/1 "2013-04-29T23:52:25Z")

</div>

While driving, a rapid clicking sound randomly comes from under and to the left of the steering wheel and the van concurrently has stuttered power. It still drives but is rapidly getting worse with frequency and we are on a road trip on the Oregon Coast with young kids and limited local mechanics. It seems like something as simple as a loose connection but before digging in to check electrical connections I thought I would check in with this knowledgeable crowd to hopefully steer me in the right direction.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-vw-eurovan-electrical-problem/79024/2 "2013-04-30T02:33:01Z")

</div>

Would that be where the fusebox is located? there may be a failing relay. Plug and play if you can figure out the offending relay by sound. Not familiar with the car, just an idea.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Surfgator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@Surfgator](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Surfgator)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 5:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-vw-eurovan-electrical-problem/79024/3 "2013-04-30T05:42:35Z")

</div>

Yes, the sound does seem to be coming from one of the relays. Any ideas what to do if I can not identify which relay is making the sound?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-vw-eurovan-electrical-problem/79024/4 "2013-04-30T06:00:35Z")

</div>

If this happens even while parked and idling, you can just put you finger on the relays and feel which one is clicking in time with the stuttering.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Surfgator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@Surfgator](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Surfgator)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2013, 6:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-vw-eurovan-electrical-problem/79024/5 "2013-04-30T06:15:45Z")

</div>

Yes, the sound does seem to be coming from one of the relays. Any ideas what to do if I can not identify which relay is making the sound? I am guessing it is the Air Conditioner relay as it feels slightly warm to the touch compared to other relays. Does the failing relay create a voltage surge through the system and this is what is causing the engine to stutter when the relay is acting poorly?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2013, 8:57am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1997-vw-eurovan-electrical-problem/79024/6 "2013-05-01T08:57:37Z")

</div>

My first guess would be fuel pump or fuel injection relay.