Passat Intermittent Starting Issue

[adzify106]

Hi All,

Posted here: http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ue-102440.html

If anyone from this Diesel Subforum has any ideas would also be appreciated!

Cheers

[Ryeman]

I am of the belief that ALL modern cars are sensitive to the voltage level which can cause all sorts of seemingly inexplicable issues, usually making no sense.....so for me a ?able battery is a new one as a first step to eliminate that as a cause.

[adzify106]

Fair point I'm thinking at least if I put the money in now and the issue persists there is some onus on them if I have to take it back, shouldn't be paying outrageous labor costs for the same problem twice..

[Ryeman]

Fair point I'm thinking at least if I put the money in now and the issue persists there is some onus on them if I have to take it back, shouldn't be paying outrageous labor costs for the same problem twice..

If you've already had, say, three years out of it and the vehicle is no longer under warranty, a new battery is a relatively cheap starting point unless, of course, you're a fully equipped techie.

[Transporter]

It would be much cheaper to get the battery tested
The cost of a new battery is around $200, it's money that could be spend to get the car properly diagnosed and take it from there.

[gldgti]

The OP has already had his car at the dealership from reading the other thread.

A good autoelectrician should be able to help you out a lot cheaper than the dealership both for diagnosis of the problem and supply of a new battery if required.

Must be the week of batteries, had to pickup a new one today for the cabby as it died, only 18months old, DOH. Supercheap Auto brand lol

[Ryeman]

It would be much cheaper to get the battery tested
The cost of a new battery is around $200, it's money that could be spend to get the car properly diagnosed and take it from there.

To me temporary voltage drops may be difficult to analyse as oppose to a load test?

[adzify106]

Thanks for your help everyone, they checked the cables and earth - found no problems. Did a draw test on the starter and it was below the amount of RPM required. Put in a new battery and it is just above (by about 70-80RPM according to the tech) what is required now. It has started first time, every time since the new battery and it even sounds different firing, quicker like a petrol engine as opposed to to the original very chuggy diesel type start (must have been trying very hard of the old battery). Considering VW have put sensors in for almost everything else I'm so surprised that they wouldn't put one in for such a crucial piece of equipment. Anyway fingers crossed!