Wife turned off key and car kept running

Tiny
DEP0312
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET
  • 18,000 MILES
Wife turned off key and car kept running, had to pull coil wire to turn off. Would only start for a couple times and not turn off. Now car will not start and warning lights stay on, have to pull battery to turn off. Now car wont start. Turns over but not start. Feul pump ok, power to coil down coil wire into dist. Pickup has power while key on. BTW ingition lights now off while battery on. Ecm relay replaced, fuel pump relay replaced. Please help.95 vw cabrio 2.0L
Friday, April 6th, 2012 AT 3:59 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
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Sounds like an ignition switch problem.

Thomas (not an expert)
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Friday, April 6th, 2012 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
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Thanks Thomas, Ill try that next.
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Friday, April 6th, 2012 AT 5:27 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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You can test switch to see if it is cutting power when it should.
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Friday, April 6th, 2012 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
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Feel free to post "how" he can do that and what tools are needed.
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Friday, April 6th, 2012 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
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I put in a new switch and nothing. Same thing. Could the alarm have something to do with it.I had a spare ECM and tried that but it did the same thing so I put the old one back in. Thanks for the comments. Keep the ideas coming please.
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Friday, April 6th, 2012 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
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You are a quick worker!

The alarm disables the starter only, so if the car does not crank, then
yes, it could be an alarm module issue that is left.

The "runs" with key out, had to have been an ignition switch issue.

Or the key cylinder is soooo worn out, that the key can be removed
while the engine is running (feel for excessive play when the key
is in the ignition cylinder).

The alarm module can be bypassed to eliminate it as the cause of a
"No-Crank" situation.

If you look up behind the dash (from under the fuse box) to where
the headlight switch is, you will see the alarm module there.

Remove both black harness plugs from the module.

On the one harness plug, you will see 2 THICK red wires (one has
a black stripe). Use a jumper wires and bridge the two wires on
the harness plug.

Try to crank the engine now. If it starts, then the alarm module
was preventing you from starting the car.

If it does not crank, then there is something else going on.

I will be heading out for a couple hours. Will follow-up with
you when I get back home.

Thomas
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Friday, April 6th, 2012 AT 7:23 PM

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