I got in the car this morning and it wouldn't start. Now when I try to start it, one time it will start right up and the next it just cranks. When it cranks, you can hear it trying to fire. I've tried to check the codes but the reader won't read it. I had a mechanic I know try to check it a while ago, but his scanner wouldn't read it. I'm hoping the experts on here might have some ideas on what to look for.
The details: 2003 Passat 1.8 turbo, 160000 ish miles. About 70000 on the timing belt. New coils a little over a year ago.
Well it is a VW.
A friend of mine had a hot restart problem. If it was above 75 deg or so and the interior was hot as well, it would not start ever. Cool off the interior with open windows, and your good.
~Alex
Does it still run good after you finally get it started? Try this..get it warm, and shut it off. Turn the ignition on, but don't trip the starter. Listen for the fuel pump to spool up. Turn the ignition back off. Repeat 5 or 6 times (you're trying to really pressure up the fuel rail). If the thing starts on the 1st or 2nd try after this, you've got a fuel pressure problem somewhere.
EDIT: You'll need a fresh battery to do this, otherwise it'll be so pissed that you haven't properly charged it that it'll die.
I think it might be the fuel pump. If I turn the key on and wait a couple of seconds it seems to start up.
It's getting a major service soon, I might go ahead and swap the fuel pump while I'm at it.
