2002 Passat won't start - Help

Hello there,

I have a 2002 Passat that just won't start. After driving for nearly
an hour and 15mins this evening it just died on me when I got home. I
turned the car off, took the key out but left the lights on for all of
2 minutes. When I got back into the car and tried to start it nothing
was happening. The car is being towed to Steven's Creek service
department early tomorrow morning. The car lights, stereo etc... all
work. I can hear the car turning over & it almost sounds like a
machine gun when it does but nothing happens.

If any of you have expreienced a similar issue and have any insight,
pls do share.

Thanks!

// S.B.

Single mom who knows very little about cars

wrote:
> Hello there,
>
> I have a 2002 Passat that just won't start. After driving for nearly
> an hour and 15mins this evening it just died on me when I got home. I
> turned the car off, took the key out but left the lights on for all of
> 2 minutes. When I got back into the car and tried to start it nothing
> was happening. The car is being towed to Steven's Creek service
> department early tomorrow morning. The car lights, stereo etc... all
> work. I can hear the car turning over & it almost sounds like a
> machine gun when it does but nothing happens.
>
> If any of you have expreienced a similar issue and have any insight,
> pls do share.
>
> Thanks!
>
> // S.B.
>
> Single mom who knows very little about cars



Your car has one of three possible things wrong with it. a) battery,
b) alternator or c) an electrical connection loose.

What is happening is there is just enough power for accessories to work
but not enough to totally engage the starter. Thats why the starter is
making a funny noise because the solenoid valve is actuating but the
starter itself isn't really turning because there just isn't enough
power.

If the battery is the origional than you need a new one. They are only
good for about 3 to 5 years. Less than 3 if you live in harsh weather
conditions. Batteries are temperature sensitive just like ignition
coil packs. They don't like big variations in temperature esp. within
a short period of time.

The cables could be loose where it connects to the battery. Or it's
loose where it connects to the starter. Or it's loose where it
connects to the ignition switch on the steering column. Or it's the
ignition switch itself that is at fault. It's impossible to know for
sure without diagnosing your car with a voltmeter.

If your Alternator isn't putting out the correct output. Than your
battery was discharging the whole time while you've been driving
without even knowing it. YES there is a battery warning light on your
dash, but it doesn't always go off when it should 100% of the time. A
bad alternator will eventually leave you stranded with a dead battery.
Either while you are on the road the engine will stall, or you will
park somewhere and not have enough juice in the battery for the starter
to turn the engine again.

What you are experiencing is a very common problem that ANY car on the
market can exhibit. It's one of those harsh realities like death,
taxes, STDs, and potholes.

Sure you can catch it before it leaves you stranded if you are extra
carefull and vigilant in finding problems before they happen. You can
have your car safety checked regularly/anually similarly to how
aircraft is safety checked. You can perform all necessary preventive
maintainance measures like replacing batteries once they reach 3 years
old. Oil changes can be done religiously and replacing spark plugs
could be done on schedule.

But no matter what you do. Stuff will happen. Just a whole lot less
frequently if you do as stated in the second to the last paragraph.


East-