Battery was drained, so I charged it and now no crank at all?

Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,000 MILES
Dash lights come on and what looks like a little red wrench flashes and there is a beep. No indication of crank at all. I tried to reset the immobilizer system and I tried locking and unlocking the driver's door with the key and holding it for 30 seconds but neither method worked.
Thursday, September 29th, 2022 AT 10:11 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,144 POSTS
When you crank the car over do all the lights go out? If so, it sounds like the battery is bad and a charge will not help it.

Here is a guide to help confirm the issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

if the battery is good, you can try a hard reboot which is done by removing the negative side of the battery, with the cable loose from the negative side of the battery, hold it to the positive terminal for 1 minute this will discharge the memory capacitors in the BCM and PCM allowing the system to reboot.

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please go over these guides and report back.
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Friday, September 30th, 2022 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 486 POSTS
I did the reset again and still no crank. I haven't had any time to check voltage at starter trigger wire or anything else. In a diesel would you hear the injection pump like a gas engine? I hear a small click under the drivers under dash area but haven't taken it apart to find what is clicking. A relay I assume. I also haven't tried a high amp boost to see if it's the battery. It was charged to 12.7 volts but I'm not sure if it can handle a load. I'll keep you posted.
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Monday, October 3rd, 2022 AT 9:38 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, it sounds like a bad battery to me. Let me know.
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 486 POSTS
Tried a known good battery, still no crank.
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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  • 54,144 POSTS
Hmm, let's try a CAN scan, you can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) from Amazon for about $36.00.

Here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Amazon CAN scanner link for about $35.00.

https://amzn.to/3R9lJ60

Let me know what happens. You can also try a hard reboot which is done by removing the negative side of the battery, with the cable loose from the negative side of the battery, hold it to the positive terminal for 1 minute this will discharge the memory capacitors in the BCM and PCM allowing the system to reboot.
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2022 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 486 POSTS
I decided to trust my own skills and start with the basics. The battery terminal fuse block looked too rusted on some of the connections, so I decided to clean them. I found the 80-amp MIDI fuse was good out of the car but showed bad when bolted in place. After trying this three or four times I opened it up and found that bridge was broken on one side and made contact until it was secured. I replaced the strip and then tested for all power to the starter. I have 12v to starter and power through the signal wire. Upon direct testing of the starter, I found the solenoid was not activating at all. Even when removed from the starter. Replacing starter tomorrow. Just for kicks do you know how I can disassemble the solenoid to get at the electricals? Also, when the drive gear is kicked out manually it spins freely in one direction and tries to lock in the other, but I can turn it along with the armature in the motor? This is not normal is it, or would it lock when the starter motor is turning?
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Sunday, October 9th, 2022 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, the Bendix gear locks in one direction and spins freely in the other direction. You should be able to remove the nuts on the starter solenoid and take it apart, you can upload some images so I can help walk you through it if needed. Here is how to change the starter motor out. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, October 10th, 2022 AT 10:12 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 486 POSTS
The nuts are removed but the plastic endcap won't come off to reveal the contacts and other electrical components. I'll be trying a new starter hopefully today, but I still want to open up that solenoid. I am familiar with the starter clutch but have never had one where I could turn the whole armature against the lock?
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Monday, October 10th, 2022 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Hmm it might be broken internally if you can upload a short video of what's going on I can tell for sure.
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Tuesday, October 11th, 2022 AT 10:05 AM

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