Starter not working

Tiny
SANDRA71
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 15,000 MILES
Jetta will not start. No crank with key in ignition. Already replaced starter, and battery is good. Car will not run if clutch popped. I think its engine problem because car will not run and won't start. If anyone reads this and has a possible answer it would be appreciated. I bought the car at an auction and paid 1400 for it. I dont have a lot of money to pay for answers so a donation to me would be appreciated.
Sunday, September 11th, 2011 AT 8:12 PM

28 Replies

Tiny
PROMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
How can you tell that the battery is good?

Here is a guide that will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Sunday, September 11th, 2011 AT 8:18 PM
Tiny
SANDRA71
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Lights stay bright when ignition switch is turned to off position.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, September 11th, 2011 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
PROMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
OK. The first thing you need to do is check the voltage on your battery. How bright the lights are is not a reliable indication of battery strength. It might be fine, but we need to know for sure.
You can get a cheap voltmeter at Walmart or any auto parts store. Then just read the voltage and let me know what it is.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 11th, 2011 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
SANDRA71
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Ok, I will try that and post a response when I have the answer. It will probably take a couple of days.*Sigh* the headaches of buying a used car. It's funny because the car started fine at the auction and also when I drove it off the lot, then I accidentally stalled it and it wouldn't start after that.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 11th, 2011 AT 8:32 PM
Tiny
PROMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
OK, let me know what you find. Used cars can be a pain sometimes!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, September 11th, 2011 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
VOLKSWAGONJETTA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 97 jetta gt. 2.0 4cyl. Doing the very exact thing. New starter. New battery. Will start if I send power through the start signal at the starter. But wont do anything by just turning the key. Lights up everything powers up as if its ready but then nothing. Any ideas? Really need help with this one. Please. Thank you
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Sunday, September 25th, 2011 AT 12:51 PM
Tiny
PROMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 536 POSTS
Follow my instructions above. Let me know what the test readings show and I'll help you more.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 AT 5:29 AM
Tiny
SANDRA71
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well I have great news! Turns out the jetta had a bad ignition switch! Had it replaced and the switch was falling apart (in pieces)don't know if it's your situation above but it's worth a try because it wasnt that expensive to replace! Thanks so much everyone!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, October 10th, 2011 AT 3:58 PM
Tiny
MANDYGEORGE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Im having a similar problem but with golf mk5 1.4 put key in turn no power to dash nor to start the batt is fine as the doors open any advice please
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
SANDRA71
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Our jetta was doing the same thing (mandygeorge). I would have the ignition switch looked at. We had a friend pull it out and replace it at vw dealer
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 13th, 2011 AT 1:26 AM
Tiny
MANDYGEORGE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I will have my partner to take a look for me and let you know if this is the problem thank you (sandra71)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, October 13th, 2011 AT 6:32 AM
Tiny
MANDYGEORGE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I forgot to say the car will not start there are no lights nothing works it is like it has died I have looked at my manual and it has an r1 what is this for it is in with the fuses do you k now?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-2
Thursday, October 13th, 2011 AT 6:38 AM
Tiny
STROKIN2011
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 175,000 MILES
I just replaced the starter and now my car will not roll over it was running fine just after the install and then it quit and wont roll over what can I do?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight. Check to make sure the terminals at the starter are tight.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 12:44 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MICHAELPLANDRY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1992 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 167,000 MILES
My '92 Volkswagon Jetta has been missing for some time. Initially thought I had water in the fuel tank. Quit missing for sometime then started again. The last couple of times when I started my Jetta it would not crank right away & then finally quit running all together. I have changed plugs & fuel filter. By the way I'm getting fire to the plugs. ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED.

THANKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HPARKHUSTLER
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Check firing order on spark plugs
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ACDCROCKS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
Engine Performance problem
1994 Volkswagen Jetta 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

The engine will not crank over at all and there is a lot of oil in the air filter
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
Ok change the filter, clean out the air box clean the air tube leading to th e throttle body, clean the throttle body, and change the pcv valve, let me know how it goes
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCOC12345
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1994 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • MANUAL
  • 221,866 MILES
My car won't crank an won't start but only on occasions like I can drive all day park it then go to start it again and it won't work
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
IT sounds like a battery connection problem, do all the lights on the dash go out? if so check out this information.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Please get back to me with you finding so it can help others
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, January 6th, 2020 AT 12:45 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Not Cranking Over Content

Car Not Cranking? Try This | EASY
VIDEO
Car Not Cranking? Try This | EASY
Instructional repair video
Starter Not Working
GUIDE
Starter Not Working
This guide is designed to help you identify whether the issue with your non-working starter motor is due to an electrical problem or a fault within the starter motor itself...
VIEW MORE