Vwlkswagen VW Passat 1.8 Turbo - Passat will not start

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Mon 29 Mar 2010 03:19
Vwlkswagen VW Passat 1.8 Turbo - Passat will not start - Mikeym1

Hi,

Has anybody come across this problem before? My 1999 Passat will not start.

This is an intermittent problem. The battery and electrics are fine, alarm

enables /disables and the key symbol on the dash goes out. The key is turned

fully and nothing. I have had the RAC out to the vehicle and they believe it is either the

starter (replaced three years ago) or the ignition switch. I am not sure, the fault is

intermittent. The main reason I feel this is not linked to the starter motor or switch.

Left the vehicle parked outside my house when the fault occured.

After an hour or so the car started with no problems and continued to start.

RAC could start the vehicle by towing it . Any suggestions please?

Thanks.

Mike

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 29 Mar 2010 17:18
Vwlkswagen VW Passat 1.8 Turbo - Passat will not start - DP

It would be relatively easy to confirm or eliminate the starter or solenoid with a multimeter. When the problem occurs, connect the positive probe of a multimeter to the smaller of the two wires on the starter, and the negative to a good earth, or the battery negative terminal. Have an assistant turn the key. If there's 12v (or thereabouts) present as the key is turned to the start position, then the problem lies with the starter or solenoid. If there's no voltage present, there's a fault with the wiring, switch, or immobiliser. Given the fact the vehicle will bump start, I suspect the immobiliser is OK.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link