Battery charging mistake

AUDIDUDI

MEMBER
VOLKSWAGEN

OK... So I was huge rush, trying to multitask several things and unfortunately I wasn’t really paying attention to what I was doing. In the hopes of saving time, I made a really stupid mistake and it kills me because I knew better. I charged the batter in my wife’s Passat. The problem is I didn’t bother to remove the batter or disconnect the leads. The engine will crank but will not start. I don’t think I’m getting a spark but I’m not sure. Do you think I fried the ECU or do you think it’s something else?

2001.5 Passat 2.8 Wagon
a little over 100K mi

Many Thanks,
John

2 Replies

LOSONE

MECHANIC
1,616 POSTS

1st check all the fuses!

Check the group of brown wires attached to the body on the iorewall. Remove the clump and clean the body connection.

Make sure the small wires from the battery + terminal have a good connection.

Remove the coil wire from the distributer and hold it against metal while someone turns the car over. If you have spark then check and see if you are getting fuel. I doubt if you fried the ECU as they are bullet proof. No spark probably the ignition module.

The fuel pump is external to the tank on the drivers side. There are two round/square looking objects one is the fuel filter and the other the fuel pump. Have someone turn the engine over while you put your hand on the fuel pump. You can feel it running. If it isn't running tap it gentle with a small metal object and see if it starts running. Sometimes VW fuel pumps get set on a noid and won't run.

DO NOT MESS WITH THE FUEL INJECTION DISTRIBUTION HEAD UNDER THE AIR CLEANER!

Get back to me and let me know what you found. Good Luck