Volkswagen wont start after battery died

Joined Jul 14, 2011

·

22 Posts

Discussion Starter · #1 · Aug 22, 2011

I have a 2001 B5.5 Passat 1.8t. Last night I left the radio playing by mistake, and the battery ran Near dead. (it would still play the radio, but not start). This morning I had a friend drive over to jump it, and it will not start. It cranks, but the engine will not turn over. It's almost like i'm out of gas, but I have over half a tank. Any ideas?

The the light that says "brake" is flashing, and I don't think that is normal, but I'm not sure.

Joined May 20, 2009

·

95 Posts

Sometimes when jumping a car the donor car needs to rev the engine (3000rpm) for a few sec before the receving car can try to start.

All the "dummy" lights should light up during the start procedure.

Joined Jul 14, 2011

·

22 Posts

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 22, 2011

My dude was revving his Yukon to the redline, and nothing. The starter sounded fine, but the engine just wasn't catching.

Joined May 20, 2009

·

95 Posts

How old is the battery? Sounds like you may have a dead cell. I would take it to an autoparts store and have them test it.

It should test between 13.5v-14v. I mention that because one autoparts store employee told me a battery testing at 12v said "that was enough", but that's false.

Joined Jul 14, 2011

·

22 Posts

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 22, 2011

The battery was bought new in March, so I certainly hope this isn't the problem, but I have a tester at home. Ill try when I get off work tonight.

Joined May 16, 2007

·

1,443 Posts

Make sure everything is turned off, AC, fans, heated seats, anything that can draw current with the key on.

Joined Jul 16, 2011

·

57 Posts

I had that happen to my 01 1.8t and what you got to do is leave the cables attached to the batteries and leave them together for like 5-10mins. That way your battery will get charged up. Make sure you have all lights,stereo,ac,etc all off. Then after waiting the 5-10mins start it up and it should turn over no problem. Then leave it running for about 15-30mins or take it for a rip for that long so the alternator can recharge and not die once you turn it off

Joined Jul 8, 2011

·

119 Posts

^^^^ That's great advice. I have used that technique several times in the past on my old '96 6 speed manual camaro. I even drove the car home with a dead battery. When I got home it was bubbling and that was it for that battery. It wasn't easy either with a stick having to constantly keep the rpms up or it'd die. I'm lucky it didn't blow and put battery acid all over the place.

Joined May 5, 2003

·

4,974 Posts

How old is the battery? Sounds like you may have a dead cell. I would take it to an autoparts store and have them test it.

It should test between 13.5v-14v. I mention that because one autoparts store employee told me a battery testing at 12v said "that was enough", but that's false.

My understanding is the battery is 12V but the electrical system etc is 13.8 V and the alternator needs to put out 13.8 V minimum to keep everything in order.

Joined May 20, 2009

·

95 Posts

Ah, yes, you are right. The battery should read at 12 or 12.5v.

As with all products, sometimes you get a lemon, even if the battery is only a few months old, you should have it tested, and replace as necessary.

What will you do when you turn the key, and your car won’t start? This is one of the worst sensations especially when there’s no apparent reason.

Volkswagen wont start after battery died

When your car loses power and won’t crank, there can be several reasons. The battery is the usual culprit, but there may be an underlying issue. Without finding the reason, you may find yourself stranded or at the mercy of waiting for roadside assistance.

autobahn-performance.com helps you uncover the reasons a car battery can die, how to solve the problem before being stranded, and who to call when there is no one around to help.

My Car Won’t Start and Battery Needs to be Jumped

When you turn the ignition key, the expectation is for the vehicle to roar to life and all of your internal electronics to turn on. When that doesn’t happen, it can be infuriating and require a jump to get your car going again.

Volkswagen wont start after battery died

When using jumper cables, the following will help you avoid electrical damage and personal injury:

• Check your vehicle owner’s manual for any special instructions or precautions before attempting to jump your or another battery.
• Align the vehicles so that the jumper cables easily reach between the two batteries.
• Inspect both batteries. If either is cracked or leaking battery fluid (sulfuric acid), DO NOT proceed! There is a serious risk of fire or explosion with a defective or damaged battery.
• Extend and inspect the cables for worn spots, frayed wires, and loose clamps (avoid using the cables if they are in poor condition)
• The jumper cable clamps are universally designated “red” for positive or a (+) sign and “black” for negative or a (-) sign. The battery posts will also be clearly identified in red or (+) and black or (-).
• With both vehicles off, attach a positive clamp to the positive post of the dead battery.
• Attach the other positive clamp to the positive post of the good battery.
• Attach the negative clamp to the negative post of the good battery.
• Attach the other negative clamp to unpainted metal on the dead battery’s vehicle, such as the frame, a bolt, or the engine block.
• Start the vehicle with the good battery and allow it to idle for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Start the vehicle with the dead battery.
• Remove the jumper cables in the reverse order they were attached: negative from the frame, negative from the good battery, positive from the good battery, and lastly, remove the positive clamp from the battery that was charged.

Car Battery Problems and Solutions

The following are scenarios in which a car battery has lost or will not hold a charge:

Scenario 1 – You left a light on in the car or forgot to turn off the headlights and running lights.

This is the most straightforward scenario to fix and the easiest to avoid. After getting a jump for the battery, operate the vehicle for a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes to reenergize the battery.

Volkswagen wont start after battery died

Solution: Before exiting the vehicle, turn of headlights, running lights, electronic accessories, or anything requiring a power source.

Scenario 2 – The battery is faulty, old, damaged, or can no longer hold a charge.

After getting a jump, operating the vehicle, and stopping, the battery dies again or has difficulty turning the engine over (When the car is in operation, the headlights and internal console lights will burn steadily).

Volkswagen wont start after battery died

Solution: Replace or have the battery replaced. Make sure the replacement battery is the appropriate size (BCI) and strength (CCA) for your vehicle make and model.

The two numbers associated with your battery are as follows:

BCI – Battery Council International or BCI group number. These numbers identify the physical dimensions of the battery. If the new battery is the wrong size, it will not fit properly in the battery tray or not be secured by the hold-down clamp or strap.

CCA – Cold Cranking Amps. This defines a battery’s ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. The higher the CCA, the greater the starting power of the battery.

Old Battery Disposal – Part of the cost of a new battery is a refundable core charge. Since car batteries contain toxic materials such as lead and sulfuric acid, it is encouraged to give the old battery to the vendor that sold you the new one for a core charge refund and proper disposal of the battery.

Volkswagen wont start after battery died

Scenario 3 – The vehicles alternator is no longer functioning, and the battery repeatedly dies.

After getting a jump, turn on the internal console lights and/or the headlights. If the lights brighten and dim as the motor revs up or slows down, it is indeed the alternator that is no longer sending power to the battery and electronic components of the vehicle.

Volkswagen wont start after battery died

Solution: Replace or have the alternator replaced by a trusted mechanic, then have the battery checked after replacing the alternator to ensure that it was not damaged while in use without a functioning alternator.

Some other potential reasons your vehicle may be failing to start may include:

• Fuel line interruption
• Out of gas
• Bad starter
• Failed starter solenoid
• Bad alternator diode
• Bad ignition switch
• Faulty wiring

Except for being out of gas, the above mechanical or electrical malfunctions should be addressed by a trusted mechanic.

Roadside Assistance When Your Car Won’t Start

If you find yourself in a situation where your car won’t start, and no one is around to help you or offer a jump to get you going again, roadside assistance is a mobile mechanic service that comes to your location to help fix most common mechanical issues, including the battery and electrical system.

Volkswagen wont start after battery died

Roadside assistance is offered by most car insurance policies and is a component of most service packages when purchasing a new vehicle from a dealership (time and mileage limitations may apply).

Many states also offer roadside assistance programs. The State of Georgia, for example, provides services through programs such as Coordinated Highway Assistance & Maintenance Program (CHAMP) and Highway Emergency Response Operators (HEROs), both of which can be reached by dialing 5-1-1 from any mobile device. Visit dot.ga.gov/DS/Travel/HEROs for more information.

Why Won’t My Car Start

A dead battery can leave you in the awkward position of relying on a Good Samaritan or having to wait for roadside assistance to arrive.

In this article, you discovered several reasons why a car battery may die, how to solve the problem, and who to call when no one is around to give you a jump.

Once you are mobile again, your next stop should be to your trusted mechanic to fix your battery problem. Procrastination for this type of repair may lead to catastrophic electrical failure within the vehicle or leave you stranded in a random location.

Sources:
https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresource/fsjumpbattery.pdf
http://www.dot.ga.gov/DS/Travel/CHAMP
http://automotive.aaa.com/
https://www.geico.com

Autobahn Performance

6476 Buford Hwy Norcross, GA 30071
(770) 409-8288

Why is my car not starting after replacing battery?

The most likely explanation is that your alternator isn't functioning properly. In other words, your battery is in great shape but the alternator isn't charging it. If your car won't start with a new battery, you most likely have a bad alternator.

Do I need to reprogram my car after battery replacement?

Yes. You will need to reset your settings. Usually the dealer can do it free of charge but no promises. If you take a battery off and put a new one on, if there was anything hooked up the the battery, i.e. the hose you are speaking of, reinstall it.

What causes VW not to start?

Running out of gas, a clogged fuel system or a broken fuel pump will all prevent the vehicle from starting. Faulty spark plugs and a broken starter can also be problems in this case.

Do VW batteries need coding?

Why do have to have my battery coded to my car? ECU keeps a record of the charging history and the state of the battery. This is important for vehicles that have start/stop. Coding a new battery tells the car the battery is new and to forget the history of charging.