Beetle won't start (sometimes)

dernster57

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Location
Iowa
TDI
2001 Beetle, 2006 Jetta
I have a 98 Beetle with an ALH motor. It runs great but has a problem that shows up with a couple of symptoms. When driving at any speed it will cut out for a second or two like someone turned off the switch. Then is will run like normal. If idling a light the car will die. It will start up again with no problem. The second symptom is that it won't start no matter how much you crank it. If you leave it sit for a while then it will start and run normally. The problem is intermittent

It has a new fuel filter and a relatively new sending unit. The instrument cluster is defective as the fuel gauge works intermittently and the speedometer does not read correctly. I don't believe this is the source of the problem. A VCDS scan shows one error. A warning light error which I also believe is unrelated to the problem. I think is is one of three things:
1. Faulty fuel shut off valve
2. Faulty ASV
3. Faulty ignition switch

Since I am not really a mechanic I thought I would ask if I am on the right track or if someone has seen this problem before. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Denny Ernster

Owner of
98 Beetle
01 Beetle
06 Jetta
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Check the wiring to the anti-shudder valve solenoid as it crosses under the cowl area above the engine to the solenoid mounted on the bracket on the intake manifold.
 

wonneber

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Location
Monroe, NY, USA
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagon,2003 Jetta 261K Sold but not forgotten
1. Faulty fuel shut off valve
2. Faulty ASV
3. Faulty ignition switch
The first two are controlled by the ECU.
If the ignition switch switch shut off I would think the radio and dash display would go out.
It is a possibility though.

Do you have a lot of keys on the ignition key?

Relay 109 could also be flaky if it's the original one.

Look for frayed wires around the ASV and in front of the injector pump.

Can you post the codes please?
 

dernster57

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Location
Iowa
TDI
2001 Beetle, 2006 Jetta
I took it apart and found no frayed or loose wiring near the ASV. So I disconnected the ASV and checked it. It is supposed to have 25 - 45 ohms of resistance. It has about 80 ohms of resistance I have ordered another that will be here by Wednesday. Hopefully this will fix the problem. It will be a while but I will post and let you all know how it goes. Thanks for your input. I probably wouldn't have found ti without you.

Denny
 

dernster57

Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2015
Location
Iowa
TDI
2001 Beetle, 2006 Jetta
Finally back. I installed a new ASV.The car started. I warmed it up and ran it hard. It ran great. When I got it home I shut it off and it wold not start. I determined that the problem was not getting fuel by sing a tiny bit of ether which made it want to fire. The only component I could think of was the fuel return valve so I replaced it with a new one. The car is starting OK now but it still has the problem where it will shut off for a second while driving. I don't think the problem is fixed but it has been starting. I also noted that the problem only seems to happen after the motor is warm which is why I replaced the fuel return valve. The car is now in storage for the winter but I can still check things on it. I am once again out of ideas. Let me know if any of you have suggestions.

Thanks,
Denny
 

super1

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2010
Location
NY
TDI
none
Finally back. I installed a new ASV.The car started. I warmed it up and ran it hard. It ran great. When I got it home I shut it off and it wold not start. I determined that the problem was not getting fuel by sing a tiny bit of ether which made it want to fire. The only component I could think of was the fuel return valve so I replaced it with a new one. The car is starting OK now but it still has the problem where it will shut off for a second while driving. I don't think the problem is fixed but it has been starting. I also noted that the problem only seems to happen after the motor is warm which is why I replaced the fuel return valve. The car is now in storage for the winter but I can still check things on it. I am once again out of ideas. Let me know if any of you have suggestions.

Thanks,
Denny
Replace your crank sensor
 
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