The car won't start

Tiny
KARIMAKCH
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
  • 70,000 MILES
Passat 2007 2.0
The engine cranks normally but the car won't start, several of the warning lights, such as: malfunction of the steer assit, parking breaks, ESP failliure are on, any help will be much appreciated
Friday, September 7th, 2012 AT 2:21 PM

37 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Check out above link.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-2
Friday, September 7th, 2012 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
ROBOSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2007 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
  • 96,000 MILES
Hi, when I try to speed up start to jerking allot, and also theris no smoke coming up from exouse, thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EXOVCDS
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,883 POSTS
Size of engine? Gasoline or Diesel?

Misfire probably.

Thomas
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBOSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Sorry what is a misfire?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EXOVCDS
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,883 POSTS
Misfire is when the fuel that is supposed to ignite (to produce power) does not ignite / not burnt
fully. Due to:

- too much fuel
- too little fuel
- faulty / dirty spark plug
- faulty ignition coil
- valve piston timing
- other engine factors
etc.

The smoke is probably un-burnt fuel. The fuel leaves the engine via the exhaust and is then burnt in the
catalytic converter. Since the converter can not fully burn the fuel, smoke is present.

Thomas
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROBOSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
What I have to do now? Sir, thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EXOVCDS
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,883 POSTS
Start with checking for stored error / fault codes in the engine computer.

You will need a scan tool (OBDii / OBD2 tool).

If a fault code is stored, post the code here so I can suggest the next step.

If no fault code is stored, you are better off going to a VW Garage for diagnostics.

The longer you drive the vehicle with this fault (jerking and smoking). The more damage you can
do to the engine / catalytic converter.

It could be as simple as a spark plug or ignition coil (if it is gasoline engine) or a dirty injector if it
is Diesel Engine. But could also be more expensive.

Thomas
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PASSAT99
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
I just bought a new battery for my 1999 Volkswagen Passat. Placed it in, but car will not start, and the yellow lights flash. What do I do? The battery that was in my car before that had previously died. I charged it, and the car started and ran well. But it did not hold the charge long (did not drive it due to registration and inspection out of date). But now that I bought the new battery, the car won't even start, just the yellow lights flash for about 1-2 minutes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Does it have an anti-theft system?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PASSAT99
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes. It's kinda weak (perhaps because the year make is quite old)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
If the anti-theft system is factory, you may have to reprogram the key/remote.

If I read your question properly, it isn't turning over when you turn the key? No noise, nothing. Make sure the main fuses and relays are all in proper working condition.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PASSAT99
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I will be getting a new key battery tomorrow morning. But yes there is no sound really. All lights and radio come on and such. Before this battery (when the old one was in place) it would start perfectly. The battery just gave out completely (which was kinda expected) but I just don't understand why this new one isn't starting at all.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEXAROOKS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1999 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 69,000 MILES
I pulled the ABS fuse out while the car was running and the car shut off. It wont start back up again. The battery, starter, fuses and relays are fine. What can I do to fix the problem?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Are there any visual indicators of anti-theft system activation? Is there an LED that flashes? When you turn the key, do you get voltage to the starter? There should be a main power lead that has power all the time and a smaller one that activates the starter solenoid, causing the starter to engage and turn the engine over. Make sure the ground wasn't knocked off the engine block when the new battery was installed.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
Assuming everything is operational (the battery is in good condition, the alternator works and there isn't any after market items cluttering the path) my guess is that there is an alignment issue with some of the electronic modules and this might be an intermittent thing. Will the car start now, does the starter engage but the engine just won't run? Could be the neutral safety switch, try moving the shifter around when you make another attempt to start. If no joy please repost
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:14 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PASSAT99
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yes there are visual indicators of the anti theft being flashing yellow lights. As for the led - no. Voltage to starter yes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLEXAROOKS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The starter engages and I've already tried moving the shifter around. Everything works, it's just the car won't run. All this happened after I unplugged the ABS fuse. Everything is in the right place and fuses aren't blown.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
Voltage to which starter lead? Main, solenoid/relay, or both (with key in start position)?

The anti-theft system appears to have engaged the starter disable feature. Have you tried disabling or deactivating the alarm?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,601 POSTS
At that production date, VW used a drive away protection required by law.
BMW calls it EWS, I haven't a clue what VW calls it, it disables the PCM by not allowing fuel or spark. Its alignment requires a particular scan tool. Have you more than one key? Try another one to see if that might get it started
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PASSAT99
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well, I honestly am not sure how to disable/deactivate the system. I can not seem to find anything online. Nor in my manual. So I have not done so unfortunately.

As for the voltage i'm not totally for certain. It's just when turning the key to start. There's a slight "cricket" sound for a few seconds.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Thursday, April 11th, 2019 AT 2:15 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links