so here it goes... im used to vw forums and noob questions, so if i am asking something retarded let the flaming begin.

My neighbor has a 1984 gsl se with 116000mi. Last week he was about to sell it for $800 when the prospective buyer took it for a test drive. About 10 miles into the drive all electrical power on the car died except for the headlights. So naturally the buyer backed out and the car has been sitting in his driveway since. I stopped by today and asked about the car. It looks like a pretty mint car super clean all original red leather interior and decent black paint. Im a vw tech never messed with a rotary but kind of have a thing for this car. He said to make him an offer and if I dont want it he might donate it.

1. Has anyone had a similar problem losing pwr to everything but the headlights? Where should I check first?

2. I was going to offer no more than $200 in case i didnt want to fix it and just resell it to get my money back. Is this reasonable?

3. What is a decent running mint car like this worth with 116000mi.

4. Is it at all desireable in the enthusiast market?

5. Anything else I should know?

if i buy it im torn weather to fix it and keep it or fix it and sell it. I assume to you guys this is like a classic, like what a mk1 gti would be in my world.

thanks in advance for any help

 

i would chk the fusable links under the hood on the driver side you ll see them on the front of the strut tower in a brown block i think that the SE has 5 links you can replace those w/the big plasitc fuse looking ones.

i would offer 200 easy in a heart beat and fix it!

not sure on what its worth but more than 800 in mint and stock!

find the right buyer and anything is worth it!

chk all the fuses too! i would buy the car and keep it she will most likely grow on you very quickly once you get her running!

 

It definately sounds like a fuseible link, and a great deal on a GSL-SE. I used the clear top plastic replacement fuses available from any auto shop, they plug directly in.

Also consider a bad battery connection.

 

thanks for the advice! what i dont get is why the fusible links blow? just old age?

the battery connection seems to be fine... clean terminals and i tried loosening and wiggling them a little bit with no luck.

if i get he car i will let you know what happens and post some pictures up!

thanks again!

 

A fusible link is supposed to work just like a fuse, but will allow a higher initial "surge" of power without blowing. Only a sustained high drain (like a short) should make it fail.

Despite this, many of us have succesfully replaced the fusible links with fuses without any issues. There are many writeups on this if you decide to pursue that method. Fuses are much cheaper and easier to come by than fusible links are.

When checking the links, keep in mind that they have a covering that will often disguise a failed link. They may burn up in the center (they look just like a cloth covered wire), but the covering will still be intact in many cases. If in doubt, use a volt meter to test the continuity of the link. If current cannot flow through it, then it is dead. Good luck!

 

Check the other end of the battery cables, especially the ground cable.....

 

secured the car for $300. will be picking it up on sunday. I went and got the fuses today, so I have my fingers crossed. i will let you all know what happens!
thanks again for the help

 

+1 to what everyone else said. Welcome to the forum. Check out the faq page, achives and use the search button when yu have a ?, its probably covered. If not, then post it here. Definatley sounds like a good deal. Any leaks, or anything. Check for rust behind the storage bins, wheel wells, everywhere. Hope everything works out for you. God bless

 

200 for a decent running SE is called grand theft. lol If the dash lights aren't coming on, then it's most likely the main fusible link, the middle one of the 3. The SE also has 2 extra links for the FI system that the carb versions don't have.

Welcome to the forum and the Darkside. Once you get the car up and running, you may be suprised as to how much you like the perfomance and handling and decide it's a keeper.

For the new guys, I toss up my sig line that has a link to the online FSMs and other manuals/books. Good luck with the purchase and it's probably worth 800 as it sits if the compression #s are good.