Took battery to be tested and charged, once.

Was it cranking before you had the battery tested and charged?

Standard or automatic?

Key on, does the battery light come on? Does the check engine light come on?

Thomas

You must never disconnect the battery on a Volkswagen or let it run dead. Have it towed to the dealership to have numerous computers unlocked. That's a trick that was designed in by a few shrewd manufacturers to make money for their dealers after the sale.

Oh my god you really have to get over this battery disconnect phobia!

To the original poster:

Make sure the shifter is fully in park or try starting in neutral.

Ignition switch, park/neutral relay or starter solenoid.

Thomas

Sorry, I got off track because of the above comment.

If circuit #15 (ignition power to dash) is not energized. It's either a fuse or ignition switch issue.

Thomas

It's not a shifter issue if you have no ignition circuit power. Sorry for the confusion.

With no ignition power, the ecm and tcm are not powered up and that's why the starter isn't being triggered.

Thomas

I'm just repeating what I learned at some really high-level schools. The instructor owns a specialty shop that only works on the one out of a hundred cars no one else has been able to solve. Their only customers are other shops. They have contacts at most manufacturers and often work with them on elusive problems. They have described how on some models if you disconnect the battery or simply move the throttle under the hood while the engine is idling, computers will lock the car. IF you can get the engine to start it may not come off idle regardless what you do with the accelerator pedal. That's the fine unnecessarily-complicated throttle-by-wire system. It may also not come out of park. We were told stories of Volkswagen owners having to drag their cars kicking and screaming off the hoist, stuck in park, and skidding them onto flatbed trucks for a trip to the dealer because aftermarket scanners wouldn't unlock the computers. Why should they? Any car thief can buy a scanner. So you bet I have a phobia about disconnecting batteries. GM, Volkswagen, and BMW are the worst offenders. We read about the insane problems people run into every day after they try to replace their battery, and this post is no different.

The next chance I get at work, I will disconnect the battery from a vw, post the video on my youtube channel and post the link here.

If I'm wrong, I'll be pleased as punch, but why am I reading about these problems so often with the same three car brands?

Good old fashioned troubleshooting will get her going again.

Check for power at ignition switch, turn key to ON and check for power on terminal 15 of ignition switch.

Power = yes, follow 15 circuit to fuse box and instrument cluster.

Power = no, bad ignition switch.

Cardio, reading about something is not 100% proof. A 2003 vw is not the same as a 2012 vw.

Just because brand new vehicles "might" have issues when the battery is disconnected, doesn't mean all others will also.

When was the last time you were still in the trade?

I have an 8 to 5 job working on vw's and audi's. Have yet to have one that needs a full reset after battery swap / disconnect.

Thomas

I avoid VWs like the plaque whenever possible. To me, German engineering is just different, not better.

I taught Engine Repair, Electrical, Brakes, and Suspension and Alignment at a community college until four years ago and two of the requirements of holding that position are we actually did it for a number of years and we were to regularly go back and work in industry. We also had State-Called meetings each year where industry trainers would come in and update us on the same things I got when I worked at the dealership. Chrysler, GM, Ford, and Honda never missed a year and Toyota was usually there. Never once had a European manufacturer there. They prefer to keep their knowledge in-house and not share. Case in point, why won't BMW release their paint codes or service information?

I have no reason to doubt what I learned in other classes. When I'm told trying to raise engine speed under the hood will cause a mismatch between the two throttle position sensors causing the electronic throttle system to shut down, I have no reason to tempt fate and find out for myself. I don't think the expert would make that up. I've watched other mechanics swap computer modules only to have them not work because they weren't programmed to that specific car. How does that benefit a car owner or the salvage yard trying to sell used computers?

I have no reason to doubt you either but you're one of many experts providing different information. I'd rather err on the side of not having to tell a customer I locked their car up from something I did.

Last statement says it all. You don't know. So don't freak everyone out when there is no need.

This Beetle has a simple problem that just needs finding. No reset needed.

I'll just have to stay quiet and continue to enjoy the expert comments provided.

Enjoy your retirement.