Automotive question. 2000 VW GTI VR6. Engine started cranking slow.
Next day would not crank at all. Rapid clicking sound (solenoid?).
Assuming the battery
was over the hill, I replaced it myself. The installation was
straightforward. However, the car would not crank and the electrical
was totally dead (nothing worked, no LCD clock display or odometer,
nothing). I removed the battery leads and cleaned them and the posts
with a wire brush. The car then started right up, I drove it around
for a few minutes and then put it in my garage. 20 minutes later I
tried to start it and it is again totally dead, no signs of life.
Despite re-cleaning the connectors and posts, I cannot get it to
start. It will not even jump start, it's totally dead.

Did I screw up by resetting the computer or something like that? Any
information or suggestions before I take the car to the dealer for
what I'm sure will be a major reaming will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Might want to check your alternator, or perhaps just the alternator
belt.  If your lucky, the alternator belt is just a little loose, and
it's not letting the battery charge.  A few bucks, or if you know
somebody who can do the five minute job for you, then, free.

Galactic Polyglot

Turned out to be several little things: bad battery cable, loose
ground on starter, and shorted brake light switch, which burned out
the bulbs and killed drained the battery.

Thanks.