VW Starts and then dies - what to check and how to fix - 

This video is about 5years old but it just saved me lots of money. Thanks a million.

thank you! this helped! my beetle was driving perfectly fine all day. i went to go turn it on and it didn’t want to stay running. Called my dad to the rescue and he did this. car started up perfectly and it actually sounds better than it did before!

Thanks for posting this, even if it didn't solve your beetles problem it solved ours and what a relief

Actually you did nothing for the viewers , you claimed that it will be fixed for free and that wasn't the case....so this is actually a click bait..

Thanks the problem was as you indicated. Disconnected and reconnected as you showed in your video and car started. My car is a Beetle 2002 GLS. Thank you!

Yep, that did it! Idling like a champ. You are great, sir! I love RU-vid! I’ve been saved numerous times by all you Tubers!

it worked on my Audi a3 8l , I just had to close my doors and lock them an put the key in the ignition an boom it started 😀 thanks dude much appreciated

I have 2013 passat ,Thanks my friend I remove the battery for the transmission mount and after car won’t start, start and die , 👍👍👍

Thank you very much I had a restless night I just let the two timinals contact and problem solved u alivesaver

So I watched this full video at first, and afterwards I said "what a dipshit!? Idk wtf a cluster is?! F this I'm out" . Lol So I tried it and it works.... sooo here I am admitting my wrongdoing and thanking you. It worked. Big help.

So how much was a new cluster and how much did it cost to reprogram it?

I have a parasitic draw. I found that the car has a static draw of .58 amps this will kill the battery in a day or two. After testing I found that fuse 15 is the culprit. With it pulled my consumption dropped to ,12 amps an acceptable amount. My owners manual (for a 2007 Beetle) says it is for the light on the rear view mirror only, so I pulled it and it did what the car in your video does. After watching your video I decided to try the batter fix, but before that we decided to put fuse 15 back. It started and ran normally. So obviously fuse 15 does more than the light below the rear view mirror. I have a new ignition switch. I may try that. Any way thanks for the video, thumbs up

The video would have been helpful of you showed the scanning and diagnosing. The went out bought the cluster, installed, programmed, then started the car to to show us the car working.

This is an easy fix in three easy steps. 1st, remove coolant cap. 2nd, drive a new vehicle under the coolant cap. 3rd replace the coolant cap. Now your problem is fixed.

I have benefited SO MUCH over the years from vids here on RU-vid, and know that all procedures don't work for everyone's issue. That said, here's my story: 2000 Beetle, 2.0L AEG engine, manual 5spd. Unlocked car w/key fob; instead of getting in right away, loaded groceries onto passenger seat via opened passenger door. Alarm goes off, shut it off w/fob, closed passenger door, got in driver's side, started car, drove home. NEXT MORNING: immediate shut off after starting, along w/ flashing immobilizer icon. Called VW's National Office, was told that it was a dealer issue. Went to an online VW forum; suggestion was to hook a battery charger to battery, then turn ignition to "on" position (not started, with all accessories OFF). Immobilizer icon flashed for about TEN MINUTES then went away. I then started vehicle and it seemed to run smoother than before I had this issue. There IS a diagnostic code for this issue (17978-Engine Start Blocked By Immobilizer), but apparently, the aforementioned procedure works.

You are wrong you just need to send the computer and the dash cluster to a reprogram shop. It cost 150 they just deleted the long of code that it skips the security check and it just starts and runs and you can you any key that you cut to fit. Thought you should know. Your welcome BOOM

Thanks very much! The reset worked like a champ!!

Good day bro , i have a similar problem to yours, my Beetle Starts and moves but will go off after a kilometre or 2 and wont start but just crank...what's surprising is that after you wait like 2 hours, it will start again and move.

I had hoped that I would not be stranded on the road anymore but at the end when I saw you in front of a mechanic shop I knew I was fucked LOL

OK I'm gonna show you how to fix it for FREE.... Doesn't fix anything... Thumbs down

No offense but why did you even post this??!

this video helped so much, my mom and i were stranded at a truck stop with this very issue, it took us a while but she managed to fix it and now the cars running again. thank you so much!

In reading others comments, some negative, I’m telling you it worked for me less than two hours ago. Disconnected cables from both post, cross connected the cables for maybe 5 seconds not touching the battery. The car started right up! My car symptoms were: 1. Sister in law borrowed car and returned it while we are on vacation. When she parked it in the garage she left the key in the ignition completely discharging the battery. I have a aftermarket stereo that remains on when the key is in the ignition. I charged the battery and the car fired right up but immediately died. The code reader gave code P0-321 so I replaced the sensor near the oil filter. No change. I followed the instructions found here and it absolutely worked first time!

The guy said he fixed the problem with a new cluster, the comments say otherwise, I'm confused

Seriously? I asked about a Volkswagen Jetta,and why would it die and all dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree and you proceeded to tell me about a VW Beetle, hello? Im female,just bought it,i used to kno lil bit about cars, now i want to drive this one off a cliff! Oh, how i long for an old 52 chevy when you could open the hood an still see the ground!! The good ole days

You're awesome dude thanks so much thumbs up from me

Well.....did it work? the new cluster?

Did you really just remind us not to touch the two battery cables together while they’re connected to the battery. Would you mind explaining how that’s even physically possible?

Hey buddy My car is getting off while driving beetle 2003. When i opened the hood and just touched the battery box it was turning off and on the lights and engine fan. Is it the same issue as in the video?

Sound like a trial and error job . You guys just go be replacing parts and create a high bill for the customer. Kmt

No confirmed fix and you post the video? Uhhh...

These cars are cute but these problems are kinda weird

2014 passot did this and I followed your instructions and it fired up thanks

My 01 jetta 2.8 VR6 does this. Starts up and runs, but dies. I reset the computer in every way possible. Took the battery off, touched the terminals for 10 seconds. Nope. Tried taking the terminals off for 10 minutes, putting back on then having the key on for 30 mins. WHAT THE HECK IS MY PROBLEM

I have my polo blm engine is start and switched off no rev

I just acquired a 2002 vw beetle. The lady that had it had put it in a shop for over a year. Shop couldn't fix it, said it was losing compression. I drove it today, it runs great and has plenty of power. When it gets hot, it does the same thing. Starts up but goes dead. I'll do some more checking, it may be the instrument cluster(immobulizer) as well?

I did that what you say do but it still start and shuts off

After you touch battery terminals and restarted the car it immediately shut-off did not work to show that is hilarious 😂 is that y you had to 📞 a programmer to come diagnosis it, yet you'll be Bless for your gud deeds when you least expect it God Bless you, that's y I still gave you a thumbs up ! it happens to my 2001 VW Beetle 1.8 Turbo GLS like maybe every 2yrs but it works everytime I clean terminals really gud 1st...try cleaning you battery terminals really gud with a terminal cleaner b4 you reconnect them that may be b 🚫 blocking the drainage efforts 👌

$175 for the diagnostic???

doesnt tell anything, in the begining he says, you can do it for free, and then goes to the dealer

The first part worked for me! I finished replacing the starter and then had this issue. Drained it, reconnected the battery, and it worked! Ty

What causing the car not Rev polo blm

Battery disconnect doesn't work, Try putting a charger on your battery, Turn ignition on for an hour, Worked for me.

Hi everyone after long day and nights finally I have sorted the problem VW and Audi drivers Take off your back seat you will find small black box with electric socket Connected to the fuel pump it’s 12 v in should be 8 to 10 v out try to clean that socket and test the electric voltage that connected to fuel pump My car VW gti 2011 . Good luck

Those vw beetles are nothing but a headache

Just did what he said (disconnected the battery cables, crossed them) and replaced. Car started right up.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta se.. having the same crank die issue. I thought it was the throttle position sensor, but it comes as a whole throttle body assembly and is over $800.00 for it. Then I thought it might be a fule relay, but the vehicle has a internal in tank. Then might be a fule delivery issue fule regulator, but no it's priming up just fine. So it never occurred to me that it might be the instrument cluster panel.. I thought maybe there is a way to reprogram the fob to the ignition.. like some vehicles you switch on the ignition and pump brakes so many times, or cycle key on and off so many times.. but this guy is saying that the cluster panel has to be replaced with a new one of the same make and model.. this is probably going to be a costly replacement part I'm guessing?

First of all I never buy vw,or Audi,but your problems is not with the key or cluster,and who ever told you about resetting the computer by using the battery terminal that's wrong to,you must love throwing your money away,your mechanic is robbing you,get rid of him immediately,your problem is,CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR........GO ON AMOZOM $30 part

Thanks for your suggestions. None worked, but I read through the comments and found a suggestion that worked perfectly - leaving the ignition turned on for 20 -30 mins, worked right away. Simple things first. Thanks so much!

that could be the problem you won't know until you replace the cluster but it could easily be something else

Would this be same for a 2015 Tiguan? Car has been at the mechanic for over a week and they cannot diagnose the issue.

I have a voltage beetle 2010 starts and turnoff how can i fix the problem I try the one I the video but I did not work what else can I try dealership i go night show something that works please

Thanks , took out battery to test night before. In a hurry next morning and this happens. Nice job!

Great tip. Just had my daughter come running in with this issue with her 2005 Beetle. Knew her battery was fine, tried the disconnect to reset and works a treat. Many thanks. :)

Didn't even show the car as running,and begs for a thumbs up.thanks for showing me what the car already does courtesy of your fee based diagnoststian.this has been an educational experience

Hey! Believe it or not i tried this and it worked! I have a 2012 VW GTI.Thank you!

Ouch. Just disable the immobilizer. Looks like im not charging enough as a computer guy

Probably the fuel pump... mostly the causes of those fuel issues... same with gas tank sensor. PS Fuel pump is under the back seat. Probably not the immobilizer, but I am willing to learn. However, your person said @ 3:30, instrument cluster not receiving data from the network. hmmmmmmm (that is beyond my skills)

What a pointless video, no info, no fix, waste of time, thumbs down

I thought your suppose remove the positive and just the positive cable touch it to ground, while the ground is still hooked to battery. Touching the 2 cables together will do nothing. if you want to drain the system of any power you must touch the positive cable to the ground on the battery to get it to ground out.

This happened a customers Beetle TDI PD when it ran out of fuel. Unsure how or why. Disconnected battery and it started ok

Will this work for Jetta?

Not recommending this but worked for me, 04 golf tdi, same issue. Slap the dashboard on top of the instrument cluster, if doesn't work slap the area between ignition key and radio (that's where the immobilizer unit is located) I'm assuming a bad connection somewhere due to vibration??

You are my hero dude. Thanks. My sons stood in town. Safed me tow-in etc

Have you had any interaction with the Volkswagen Jetta 2013. Came in want start I got it running and now when I start driving it does well until I drive it around the block then it feels like it is trying to shut off any suggestions

it was helful thank you

My 09 Tiguan had the same starting problem when I used my spare key fob. The wife mistakenly took the main key fob to work so I grabbed the spare out of the safe, went to start the Tiguan up and it shut right down, I was like 'what'? The I noticed the red panic alarm button was missing from the fob, then I remembered the last time I changed the battery I somehow screwed up the button when prying the fob apart and I couldn't get it to stay in (could that be the problem?). So when the wife got home I used the main fob and the Tiggy fired right up. Turned out I broke the contacts where the alarm button presses into the circuit board, probably have to replace the circuit board but I'm not going to worry about getting it done since I'll be selling or trading it in soon so I can buy a new Tiguan.

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I absolutely appreciate the video and it did help me that is exactly what happened to the vehicle that I was working on. Thank you

That doesn't help lol. I assumed it would be reconnecting the key to the computer with a security step issue

You can get cluster of middle fingers up for this video

i have a vw passat 2014 that runs perfect until you put it in gear then it shuts off

I have problems with my Volkswagen too.

I should also add, a month after I bought the car, the original key fob didn’t work at all. No buttons or anything. Replaced battery 3 times all that crap blah blah blah. So recently, I bought a new key, and I haven’t programmed it yet. Is that a maybe issue? And the original key broke off from the fob to. Thanks

I see the problem. It's a Beetle.

Hello everyone, can anyone assist? My VW Polo 1.4 has always had a sound as if it's releasing air from the engine or gearbox every time the engine is switched off, what could be the problem or reason? The car recently bursted it's mechatronics pump..... please help

Thanks for the tip Volkswagens are a pain in the ass I know it won't be flipping those little things🚗

Ok this actually worked... 👌

Hello! Can you say if anything was done to the car prior to that problem happening? Like, for instance, a scan of the engine? I went to a garage for an oil change, and they scanned the engine. After doing that, my car couldn't start; it did the exact same thing as the car you were working on in your video.

I think he might want us to give this video a thumbs up 🤷‍♂️

Actually, the very first thing you do if this happen is check the voltage on your battery.. trust me on that one.

Mine won’t even start. No light no nothing!

$175 he's not giving you ant deal. ...

You got 2000 thumbs up

It worked!!!!

I have this same issue happening to me on a 2001 VW Lupo.

In all honesty, you were ripped off. VCDS is free, an OBD to USB cable is £10 from eBay. That would have told you this without spending $175.

I’ve had this problem for going on 3 years. My 2006 new beetle starts like a charm all spring, summer and fall here in Phoenix when it’s warm. As soon as it starts getting cold it starts and then stops. If it sits in the sun it will start mid day. It eventually starts after 15-20 try’s. I paid one mechanic $300 and nothing changed. Unfortunately I didn’t go back there to see if they could try something else. I took it to another place the next winter and they tried to no avail and actually gave me my money back even though they spent time trying. Any ideas on why it starts in warm weather and not in cold? Thank you!

My payment is my subscription lol

Thank you soooo very much!!!!

With an immobilizer problem you ecu will never let the engine start, car may only crank. Correct me if i am wrong. Guys say thats it is a cam sensor which may be pretty true.

it works, have done it on other cars, didnt think vw will have a simple procedue, thanks again

Sometimes it I feel like that key

crank sensor!

I have a 97 carolla I picked up for $500. I take it 130km each way to work and back every day. Never a problem. Got my girlfriend an 02 Jetta nicely loaded for $1500. She drove it a handful of times now it does this. Guess I'll try some of the easier suggestions first but what I'm really learning is buy Japanese.

Is it normal for a 2019 Volkswagen Jetta to cut off at the light/stop sign and then you have to press the gas once you need to drive?

I only buy Toyota’s but I gave you a thumbs up

With works for mi thanks

Thanks man I appreciate it your cool homie

You guys are good