So I finally took delivery yesterday of my 2004 Coupe. I picked it up from a parking garage in Manhattan and we waited for about 10 minutes for the attendant to bring it up. We switch the plates, I get in and go to start the car. Takes me 3 tries before it starts - I thought it was just me doing something wrong (key angle, the right touch etc) as I know how finicky Karmann cars can be. I didn't really think anything of it and took it to the garage across the street from my office. This is 3 pm.

I go out to the garage around 6 and it looks like the attendant has no problem starting it, he brings it right up.

I then drive over to my GF's place, stay there until about 9 go out and the car starts right up. Stop on my way home for gas, starts after I'm done filling.

Go out this morning to move the car closer to my house (it's parked on the street at the moment) and it will NOT start. All the appropriate lights come on, radio works etc, but it doesn't even try to turnover. I know the battery was replaced not that long ago, so I don't think that's it.

Is this an electrical gremlin, common problem, ignition, starter . . . I'm going to call the previous owner and see what the deal is later but I would like to hear if anyone else has had this problem.

This is not the way I wanted to start my ownership of another German car.

 

I have never had any problem starting at all. When I turn the key it starts right away, every time.

You might want to try cleaning the battery connections (terminals). Sometimes they get battery acid buildup in them and you do not get enough voltage to start the car.

Good luck and let us know what the problem was.

 

6-speed: Clutch must be fully depressed. This one's caught me a couple of times.
Autostick: Could be a neutral safety switch. Try wiggling the stick or re-seating the shifter in park.

 

That was my 1st guess too, I played with it a few times tho and nothing.

I'm gonna try again when I go to get some food.

 

i had a similar problem. the fix for me was to disconnect battery cables and reconnect. good luck.

 

Just disconnected the negative cable, no dice. Weird thing is the radio stations didn't clear, do I need to completely disconnect it??

I would of done both just for ***** and giggles, but I don't have my tools with me. I'm working with a "robogrip" which is too big to fit into the + terminal area.

 

it's been awhile back and i can't remember if both cables were off. i do remember that radio, lights, etc. were all working and car wouldn't start, even with spare key thinking batteries were dead on the other key.

yeah i'd try disconnecting both and leaving it for a few minutes before reconnecting. couldn't hurt.

 

Same thing happened to me. All the dash/warning lights would come on, even the fan would come on but it wouldn't turn over; not even a sound from the starter. I had read somewhere that the key and the anti-theft device were not "in sync." Went to the dealer, they cleaned out all the error codes (See my post 35 Error Codes) and I haven't had the problem since.

 

I feel a little bit better then, at least I'm not the only one.

Yup, fan works, all lights work just no click.

Is there a way to clear the codes and then re sync the key without having it towed to the dealer? I'm gonna check out your thread in the meantime.

Thanks guys.

 

First start with the easy things. Make sure that your key batteries are ok. If you look at the red plastic piece on the key in the dark, if you push either the lock or unlock button you should see a brief faint flash of light. That means the battery is ok.

In my case, the problem was intermittent - if I waited 5 minutes sometimes it would start. Now I also noticed something else (you're going to call me crazy) - trying starting it with the door open and with the door closed. I swear that it may make a difference, at least I thought it did with mine - it would start if the driver door was open.

I hope you get it started.

 

Remote batteries seem to be good, light flashes and it still locks/unlocks the doors.

I tried this morning with the door opened and closed, I tried in gear and in neutral, tried disconnecting the negative terminal.

I'm open to any suggestions guys, you say it and I'll try it.

 

AAA, the dealer?

 

Don't have AAA and I would really like to avoid having the car towed to the dealer then pay thru the nose for a car I just bought.

I spoke to the previous owner's brother (he handled the transaction) and he then called his sister. Apparently she had some similar problems a few months ago so she replaced the battery. Didn't have the problem again, but she had already bought another car so this one wasn't being driven.

They obviously never mentioned this problem to me, now I have a bad feeling I'm going to get screwed with paying for it.

 

Just went and tried again, started on the 5th try (I think the door was open actually).

Dealer was closed, but I did drive it for about 20 minutes. Parked it right in front of my place and turned it off. Tried to start it again, started 1st try.

I'm going to take it to the dealer tomorrow and have it scanned, I think it's electrical gremlins.

 

Once they clean out the codes you should be good to go. I'm telling you the door open/close part is weird. I thought that it seemed to start when the door was open but I didn't have a chance to test my theory AND I really didn't want to! You don't know how happy I am that I could help someone. We are a small community and we have to stick together.

 

A faulty Crankshaft Position Sensor will also cause this problem depending on how faulty it is... see my thread: https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ad.php?t=16885

Here's a similar MBWorld.org thread: Car Didn't Start - Plz Help Identify The Problem

 

I had a similar problem with my Dodge once. They had to clear the codes and then it was fine. Some times you get a quick short in the battery and it sends an error code, confuses the computer and it basically shuts down the car.

Hey, 62thunderbird, good taste. I'm rebuilding a 63 coupe. Should be back on the road next spring.

 

This is really pissing me off, it's not working again.

I parked the car last Sunday and didn't try to drive it again until this Sunday morning (I take the train to work). Get in, try to start it and the same exact problem as last time. Lights, fans, radio, all the lights, everything works but it will not even try to start. I tried 3x yesterday and now 3x today and I've gotten nothing (10 min with each session).

The worst part is I planned to take it to the dealer this week to have it looked at. I haven't had the time and now I have the whole week off without a working car.

 

My bet is still either the crank position sensor or the starter. Do you have the check engine light on?

 

Nope, no check engine light.