No start issue

[Wolf]

We bought a 91 TSI AWD for $400 a few months ago and it seemed to run pretty good. After about 100 miles, the car started to run crappy, boost gauge(stock) bouncing all over the place, so I pulled the ECU. No problem, it was leaking, so we bought a new one and it fixed the problem. After a bit, the car started to act like a bad starter. All power works, just wont crank over, just a click. Pulled the battery, had the starter checked, it was good, so we replaced the battery and problem solved. Two days later, same problem. Had the alt checked, bad. Replaced it, problem solved. Another two days, same problem. Checked the battery, good. Checked the starter relay switch, good. Replaced the terminals, problem soved. Same day, same problem. Got the car to the house after messing with some wires and hearing sparking from the harness that holds the battery +/-. Pulled all of the casing off of the harness where we were hearing the arcing, saw the + to the starter solonoid wire had some fringing wires, taped it up, re-installed everything, car starts right up. Went out 1 hour later, SAME FARKING PROBLEM!!!!!!! What the hell else could it be. No blown fuses, grounds are all good, ECU is fine. I am out of ideas.
Mike

[Zeppelin]

You might have gotten a bunk alternator. Have you gotten the new one tested?

[Wolf]

We have "solved" this issue twice after, and the battery has not had to be charged at all, so I am sure it is not a charging problem. Could the factory alarm and aftermarket system be causing a problem like this?

[Cloud]

We have "soled" this issue twice after, and the battery has not hadf to be charged at all, so I am sure it is not a charging problem. Could the factory alarm and aftermarket system be causing a problem like this?

YES. I had my aftermarket alarm ruin my starting system and draw a massive amount of parasitic drain overnight to the point I needed to pushstart the car in the morning. Check ALL the wiring that is suspect and then check stuff again, especially in the steering column, that is where my crap came apart the worst.

[Wolf]

The odd thing is, I can take the battery and start another car while this one is not turning over.
Mike