Will not start, tried to boost battery and it only charges a little bit after 5 plus minutes of charging to bring up ESC?

Tiny
MRTODDCAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 168,000 MILES
Tried to boost battery and it only charges a little bit after 5 plus minutes of charging to bring up ESC (electronic stability control) error (can not push break pedal all the way down to be able to try and quickly start the car because this error comes up) then electronic dash stopped working after this.
Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 1:15 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MRTODDCAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Will do thanks so much.

Again it is a 2017 Golf TSI 1.8 Turbo

I also, never saw that ESC come up on the dash since I bought the vehicle over 7 years ago.

In this photo, the circle is the block I used for grounding the booster circuit to charge my car.

Hope that helps.

Thanks,
Todd
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Friday, September 26th, 2025 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
I don't see the image, can you please reload them? Also, it sounds like the battery is the problem, if it is bad and shorted internally you will not be able to jump the car. I would remove the battery and take it to the auto parts store for testing. Please go over this video as well which can help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YRW8fyNudY&t

Please upload pictures or videos in your response.
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Saturday, September 27th, 2025 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
KRAKENAUTO
  • MECHANIC
  • 69 POSTS
Definitely sounds like a battery issue, as it can make your entire vehicle electronic systems act strange when it is not properly charged. The voltage drop can cause the ESC warning you saw.

Jumping it off provides usually only enough to start a vehicle, not keep the battery going if it is severely depleted. Before you try anything else, have the battery tested or replace if it is old. Most auto parts places can test a battery for you.

When you put the battery back in make sure the terminals are clean and tight. If this still occurs then the next step would be to look at your alternator. Many times a bad alternator can also take out a battery as well.
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Sunday, September 28th, 2025 AT 5:40 AM

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