Volkswagen-Jetta -
2002 Jetta won't start
pat (156.74.250.7) - Mon Jul 7 11:09:32 2008
2002 Jetta. Car won't start or turn over. I'd had it towed three times. Once at the dealer it starts and they say nothing is wrong and think I'm nuts. Last time(#4) I had it towed to my apartment and it started. Also each time I had the tow truck operator try and start the car and they were unsucessful. What in the towing process could be correcting the problem?
Reply #1 Shannon (66.190.169.140) - Mon Aug 25 18:57:38 2008
Please tell me if you have resolved this issue! I have the same car, and it just randomly will not start. I have taken it to more places than I can count just to have them tell me they can't find anything wrong with it. HELP!
Reply #2 dave (86.45.216.118) - Mon Jan 12 13:38:14 2009
me too!:( please email me if you find the answer! thanks
Reply #3 Sam (65.206.71.3) - Thu Jan 15 15:40:05 2009
i have the same problem on my 2002 GLX. I wonder if it has anything to do with the starter chip. the one under the dash. Please post any answer if you find one. thank!
Reply #4 Courtney (67.60.132.226) - Wed Jan 28 18:56:29 2009
I have a 2003 VW Passat and I am having the same issues. Sometimes it will start and somethimes it won't.If I hold the gas peddle down and start sometimes that will work. I was told it could ba a sensor. TPS(throttle Position Sensor) or the MAF (MAss air flow). It also sometimes feels like it is idles very high and then when I shut it off it won't start.
Reply #5 Denise (76.117.152.243) - Mon Feb 2 01:59:18 2009
I'm considering purchasing one, but after reading this I'm having second thoughts. Would anyone recommend the purchase of one of these autos? Also, have you had any high dollar repairs that they are notorious for? Thanks so much for any info or advice you can offer.
Reply #6 Erin (74.129.226.48) - Tue Feb 17 01:01:32 2009
so I had the same problem and traded the car in after "shaking it" because after every time it was towed it started...I didn't feel guilty because the service station and collision center at the same place has screwed me over several times...curiosity got the best of me, wanted to see if they ever sold the car...car fax says crankshaft sensor replaced...now if I had only known that then I wouldnt have had to get rid of a paid off car with only 50K miles on it
Reply #7 Charlie Queiroga (130.132.120.91) - Tue May 26 20:57:53 2009
I also have a 2002 Jetta, and this is the second time it did not start. The first time I had it towed to garage and when the mechanic looket at it started.The Second time I left alone all day and it started later the same day. I have a feeling that if I bring it to a garage or dealer, they will not find the problem and charge me for something else, or even maybe screw it up inducing additional problems into it. If someone knows what the fix is please post it. Please no guessing.
Reply #8 Rob (72.193.14.28) - Sat May 30 20:44:05 2009
We have a 2001 Jetta, and for the first time since we've had it, it just won't start or turn over. The dash lights come on and everything electrical seems to work. We thought it might be the battery, but after jumping it, it still wouln't even crank. I ran over to Sears (don't go there) to get a new battery anyway, they didn't even test my battery that I had with me but sold me the most expensive battery they had ($130). I hooked it up and the same problem occured. My wife immedidately called Sears back to see if we could take the battery back and get our old one. They said no. (bastards)So I proceeded to remove the starter. This took me two days. It's quite burried. I finally got it out and took it to Autozone. They tested it for free and siad nothing is wrong with it. I put it back and tried to start the car and the same thing. All lights come on. Everything appears to be normal but it won't crank or try to turn over. So here's what we know is not the problem. The battery is fine. The starter is fine. After reading all your posts I'm not going to have it towed. I will keep searching. I will not let this beat me. If I find it, I will post it. Thanks; Rob
Reply #9 Mary (71.54.46.49) - Sun May 31 16:25:08 2009
Same here since new my 2002 Jetta VR6 Wagon was towed numerous time with nothing found to be wrong under warranty and continues to have the same problem becoming more and more frequent with age.Our VW dealer went out of business in Hickory, NC and I have a mechanic moonlighting at a local repair shop looking at it again tomorrow evening since if finally left me stranded. The battery is fully charged yet it requires being jumped to start? Recently the clock retains the current time which it never did in past years - it would reset itself to 12:00? Today I went to O'Reiley's and they put a tester on it and said the battery and alternator were fine. The last time they looked at it when the fan kicked on the voltage dropped below what the alternator could have maintained indicating I think a short. The garage saw that problem on Friday before arranging for the mechanic for Monday and today O'Reiley's can not duplicate the draw when the fan kicks on so intermittent is always difficult to find. Their was a suggestion that the regulator within the alternator could stick? I will post any resolution. Mary
Reply #10 Charlie Queiroga (130.132.117.161) - Thu Jun 11 19:28:44 2009
Here is an update from the 2002 Jetta that will not start sometimes. I had it happen again and again I left it for a couple of hours and then it started again. One additional problem that I have with it is that 2 times before while driving it it seems like it doesn't want to go and is very sluguish, while giving gas it does not want to go at high speeds. Then after turning it off and leaving it for a while it goes back to normal running.I will not bring to the garage because they just charge you and lie to you. I will keep on searching for possible causes. At this point I am clueless.
Reply #11 nick (208.21.208.11) - Wed Jun 17 09:23:59 2009
I have a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8L (the station wagon model). Back in early may of this year (2009) it didn't start (meaning all the dash lights came on, but the starter did not engage, there was no engine noise/ didn't try to turn over). Here's a trick that might get you out of a pinch. You need two people: As one person turns the key, the other person needs to tap the solenoid (the smaller cylinder attached to the starter) with the rubber end of the hammer. Not too hard, maybe about the same striking force you'd use to knock on someone's door. Car should start right up, maybe. I did this on many occasions over the past month (including asking random strangers to start my car while I tap the starter), but finally a couple weeks ago that trick stopped working.So I figured the starter had finally died. Got the replacement from NAPA, switched out the starter on monday. the next day (tuesday) my car worked fine all day. Today (wednesday), I turned the key and nothing happened. Same issue. I turn the key and the dash lights turn on, but no engine noise and no turning over. I'm the farthest thing from a mechanic, but this is what I am going to try: I am going to replace the ignition coil, and the ignition switch. When I was still driving the car and "tap-starting" it, I mentioned it to a mechanic near my home who works at a shop that does primarily european cars, and he said he has replaced 10 times more ignition switches than he has starters on jettas. I'm going to bookmark this page and let everyone know how it works out. Wish me luck. PS. if this doesnt work I am going to start crying.
Reply #12 Eric (70.135.15.249) - Sat Aug 8 16:52:27 2009
ROB I too had the exact same issue and same course of action turns out the as the mechanic put it "exitment wire" actually called a signal wire from the inition system is not carrying enough voltage to trigger the start of the cilinoid or the starer!Hope that works for you I am about to try it
Reply #13 Sasha (70.125.37.25) - Sun Aug 23 22:58:44 2009
Im having the same problems with my 2000 Jetta. If i could find a cliff I would roll it right off. =[ anyone have any ideas where to take this hunk of metal sitting useless in the street? still owe on the POS too so i cant just scrap it...
Reply #14 Trivers (205.188.116.198) - Tue Aug 25 13:51:41 2009
I HAVE A 2001 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLX..THE BATTERY HAD A BAD CELL L2 WEEKS AGO REPLACE THE BATTERY..AND IT STILLS DEAD ON ME SO I REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR..OK EVERYTHING WAS FINE THE NIGHT I PUT IT IN..THE NEXT DAY THE BATTERY LIGHT AND ALTERNATOR WORKSHOP LIGHT COME ON SO I DRIVE IT TO ADVANCE BATTERY DEAD ON ME ON THE WAY THERE..FINALLY GOT THE CAR THEY EVERYTHING TESTED FINE..THEY SAID SOMETHING IS KILLING MY BATTERY FAST...NEED SOME HELP B4 I TAKE IT TO A SHOP..THANK YOU
Reply #15 nick (208.21.208.11) - Mon Aug 31 08:10:16 2009
After all was said and done, I replaced the ignition switch 2 times - once with a NAPA Auto Parts brand starter, and the second time i had my local shop get the part through their parts people. I also replaced the starter 3 times (first on my own, second through my shop (both times i used a "re-conditioned" starter purchased from NAPA Auto Parts. The only thing that seemed to work was buying a completely brand new starter, rather than a "re-conditioned" starter. I also bought the parts through the shop i had my car worked on, because if they failed, the shop would have to replace them. So far my car has been starting just fine but we'll see once winter kicks in.
Reply #16 dwayne (96.50.200.228) - Wed Sep 2 23:33:59 2009
Same thing with my girlfriends car, you have to shake it to get it started, while holding the key forward. I have tried everything, anyone have a solution yet?
Reply #17 Maps Onburt (99.242.97.156) - Thu Sep 17 19:25:29 2009
My 2001.5 Passat has started doing the same thing. If I put the key in, about 50% of the time now it won't turn over have the solenoid click or anything. I've noticed that if I bump the car around a bit (jerk the steering wheel back and forth, run the automatic shifter through the gears) it'll start but it takes some fiddling. I've noticed there is a relay or something clicking about where the radio stack is as I've tried to start it (when it goes I can't hear the relay click so don't know if that is signficant or not). I've also noticed some weird electrical problems on it at the same time... the doors won't lock off the fob (although the alarm will engage), the windows other than the drivers window's won't go down, the A/C light is not on, etc. These all happened at the same time. I'm suspecting a loose/corroded connection somewhere that is tying all these together. Once it starts, it drives fine for hours... then it's 50/50 if it'll start immediately again or not. I really don't want to take it into the dealer without a clue as to what it is as those idiots will just replace parts (like most of the ones above). I know how to test a battery/solenoid/starter and it is none of those... I suspect a computer chip or some sort of relay is corroded/loose somewhere. Anyone have a wiring diagram?
Reply #18 john (192.43.65.245) - Tue Sep 29 13:46:26 2009
anyone find a resolution to this problem? My jetta will do the same thing, turn the key and everything turns on but the car, the starter nevers trys.....
Reply #19 Denise (174.23.37.179) - Thu Oct 1 13:53:30 2009
We bought our used 2001 VW Jetta in May. We have had no problems but a few weeks ago I went out to go somewhere and it wouldn't turn over. I tried again and it started. Then today, I went out to go somewhere and it will not turn over. The lights come on and it kinda clicks a little. I tried a number of times and then gave up and drove my other vehicle. I'm afraid to go out and try it again!! (it will probably start!). I'd love to know the solution, I do not want to take it to a mechanic because they will charge me and arm and a leg to tell me it is fine!!! SIGH
Reply #20 irene (76.126.241.81) - Sat Oct 3 13:59:19 2009
Mine (VW 2004) had problems with starting too. Turned out the battery was no good. Had to replace it.
Reply #21 Marty (99.199.44.85) - Sat Oct 17 00:54:44 2009
Mine, 2001 2.0L will crank but not start. I can smell the gas out of the exhaust. So the injectors are dropping fuel. I figure no spark. Ill be checking spark tomorrow. If no spark I could have a bad coil pack. Ill let you know what I see.This car has already gone thru a cam sensor a mass air flow a battery and so on. Stay posted Marty
Reply #22 marty (99.199.44.85) - Sat Oct 17 22:05:37 2009
Found the problem. Looks like them little TACO coils crack. I could see them all around the housing. Got a new one for a phenomenal price (250.00$)Got the spark back. Shoud be good for a few months till another MEX made sensor goes.Looks like the coil packs are an issue if you look at other forums.
Reply #23 cdroes (76.179.48.74) - Mon Oct 26 20:35:41 2009
Did Dwayne, Eric, or Rob figure out what the issue was with car not starting? My wife's 2002 passat just did the same thing tonight. Turn the key and the dash lights up but it won't turn over. Even the doors wont lock with the remote.
Reply #24 car (24.39.138.194) - Tue Oct 27 08:32:24 2009
i hav a 2002 jetta gl i have same problem car cuts off @ red light or sharp turns and wont start until engine is cold then it runs until it dies again with a fully charged battery , i did research and it is the signal sensor another word for code po322 , crank sensor , price around $55.oo-$75.00 now i just need a diagram so i can install it ,
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