It cranks has spark but wont start?

Do you have fuel pressure? And do you have injection pulse? Check these and run a scan as well you first need to know what has failed before considering your next step.

If you have spark, then you are missing fuel.... fuel pump relay or fuel pump.

Could also be a broken timing belt.

Backyard mechanics give the industry a bad name. If he can't fix it, find someone who can here:

http://autorepair.iatn.net/

Thomas

What size engine is this? And when the car shut off, did it shut off instantly like you turned the key off, or did it kind of stumble a bit, like it ran out of fuel? Any little details can go a long way is helping you diagnose this. Was there any noise in the engine before it shut off?

For it to act as if you turned the key off, then its electrical. Somehow your losing spark, and thats causing the instant shutoff. Is your check engine light on? Also, after it "dies" will the car start immediately, or does it seem like its a longer than usual crank before it starts?

Security system does not cut spark right away.

Security / Immobilizer will allow the engine to run for 2 seconds and then shuts off the engine. If your engine does not even run for 2 seconds, then it is
not a security / immobilizer issue.

Crankshaft position sensor / engine speed sensor, is the main input to the ECM... without a crank signal, the engine will not run.

Here's a video on how to replace the crank sensor: (2.0L Jetta, same location on a Beetle).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK0oDLrSo4c

Scanning for trouble codes would still be the first step.

Thomas

It needs to be matched to the other modules, so yes. Software coding needs to be done.

We can only do so much with your responses. Parts changers? Really? Most of are are Master Technicians. We do alot more than change parts.

Nobody here told you to change any parts. You yourself said that you have spark! We gave you suggestions based on the
info you provided.

Oh wait you did, but the dealer was too expensive!

My next honest reply was "yes, the computer needs to be re-programed / matched" (again, I was correct).

Thomas

Exovcds great diag. If this guy cant thankyou for the help, his problem. I'm glad to see another tech step up and come up with an diag. We didnt have much to go on here. Keep up the good work!