08 Passat not starting

Momof2wldboyz83

Yesterday my check engine light came on and it was too late to go have it plugged up to do diagnostics. I drove it this morning a few blocks and when I came back out it wouldn’t start. It tried to turn over the first time but now nothing. Lights, radio, etc work but nothing when I push the key in. It jerked a few times the other day also. This is the first non-Chevy car I’ve owned and have no clue where to start.

Mr_Shiftright

First of all make sure the battery is charged up and that the cables are secure on the posts. Sounds like the battery went dead on you for some reason.

If you dont' have a charger, then get a jump start and see what happens.

If it cranks and cranks but doesn't start with a jump start, then squirt some starting fluid into the air intake while it is cranking, and see what happens. That will tell you if you have fuel delivery or injector pulse issue.

One of those two methods should get you started (if only briefly in the second case).

If it only runs on starter fluid, then the engine either isn't get sufficient fuel or the injectors aren't opening.

Retrieving the trouble code might be a big help before you get too involved, but you will at least need to charge up the battery to do that with most code readers.

Momof2wldboyz83

Thank you Mr_Shiftright. I’ll start with those things tomorrow!

Momof2wldboyz83

Mr_Shiftright said:

First of all make sure the battery is charged up and that the cables are secure on the posts. Sounds like the battery went dead on you for some reason. If you dont' have a charger, then get a jump start and see what happens. If it cranks and cranks but doesn't start with a jump start, then squirt some starting fluid into the air intake while it is cranking, and see what happens. That will tell you if you have fuel delivery or injector pulse issue. One of those two methods should get you started (if only briefly in the second case). If it only runs on starter fluid, then the engine either isn't get sufficient fuel or the injectors aren't opening. Retrieving the trouble code might be a big help before you get too involved, but you will at least need to charge up the battery to do that with most code readers.

Jumping it didn’t work...it does nothing. Taking the battery to advance auto to charge it. This is crazy I haven’t even had the car a month. 

Mr_Shiftright

Be sure to check the cables and grounds when you re-install the battery. There's no "security" light on, is there?

Momof2wldboyz83

Mr_Shiftright said:

Be sure to check the cables and grounds when you re-install the battery. There's no "security" light on, is there?

The only light that’s on is saying I need to get air in my tires. We’re going to check the starter next I guess. I’m hoping it’s just a lose wire or something. Ugh so frustrating 

Mr_Shiftright

I think on your car it's best to take the battery and battery tray out to access the starter and/or the solenoid. This of course, makes it difficult to use a test light to test if the ignition switch is sending a signal to the starter solenoid (the "S" terminal). You'd have to rig up some battery cables from your removed battery to the cables still in the car--in a sense re-powering your car for the test.

Momof2wldboyz83

It was the starter. Got it fixed yesterday. Ran great yesterday and all day today. Then I noticed my defrost/heat/cig lighter wasn’t working. Started pulling fuses and now the damn thing isn’t starting again. It’s turning over but not firing. Any ideas?