Yes... this post is OLD.

But.. It happened to me today. Went inside a parts store to get a new bulb for the backup light. Replaced the bulb. Turned off car (had passenger in the car, so it was left running), and then immediately went to start the car again (to reset the bulb failure light) - heard this loud BANG! Turned off car, looked at outside of car thinking that a baseball or something large hit it with great speed...nothing. Opened trunk, thinking maybe a spray can exploded and saw smoke....thought something shorted and popped....Looked some more and within seconds saw that the battery cover was disturbed and there was some fluid on the ground that was making the concrete sizzle (Acid).

Good thing I was at the front door of an autoparts store. Unfortunately, the force of the explosion also ruined the little vent flap device on the 1/4 panel wall.

The battery was a Varta (white in color) battery.

I don't know if the turning off and immediate turning on of the engine had anything to do with the explosion...But if I were to do it again, I would wait 5 seconds before re-starting. Then again...maybe it was time for it to depart (with a bang)....or it was bad karma...or someone wished it on me, in which case they better watch their bloodpressure, since now they have a bit of karma coming their way.

Please... carry a pair of rubber gloves in your car - And be Careful!

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D