1998 VW Passat won't start

[acydgod]

Hi,
I'm a newby and this is probably a fairly straightforward problem
but, after reading the other articles, didn't see one that
specifically matched.

In a nutshell, my passat won't start anymore.
Symtoms:
-turn key to first position
-->no problem, check lights come on, radio is fine, headlights seem
to have plenty of brightness

-turn key to starter position
-->dash indicator lights flash rapidly and hear a faint fast clicking
noise.

I actually did buy a VAG COM system (v 3.1.1) just coincidentally a
few months back. Ran a scan and came up clean.

Any help is appreciated.

[pfjw]

On Mar 1, 2:03 pm, acyd...@.......... wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm a newby and this is probably a fairly straightforward problem
> but, after reading the other articles, didn't see one that
> specifically matched.
>
> In a nutshell, my passat won't start anymore.
> Symtoms:
> -turn key to first position
> -->no problem, check lights come on, radio is fine, headlights seem
> to have plenty of brightness
>
> -turn key to starter position
> -->dash indicator lights flash rapidly and hear a faint fast clicking
> noise.
>
> I actually did buy a VAG COM system (v 3.1.1) just coincidentally a
> few months back. Ran a scan and came up clean.
>
> Any help is appreciated.

Three quick questions before a SWAG diagnosis:

1. Do you get a click of any kind from within/underneath the car, or
is it just the dashlights that come on?
2. Have you checked the resting voltage of the battery? If so, what is
it? If not, please do. Any cheap VOM set on 0-30 DCV should do it.
3. Did this come on suddenly or was their warning?

The failure modes that will give this result could be anything from a
neutral-safety-switch to a battery that is below threshold voltage.
And lots in between.

In general, mileage and transmission type would help out as well.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA

[pfjw]

On Mar 1, 2:03 pm, acyd...@.......... wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm a newby and this is probably a fairly straightforward problem
> but, after reading the other articles, didn't see one that
> specifically matched.
>
> In a nutshell, my passat won't start anymore.
> Symtoms:
> -turn key to first position
> -->no problem, check lights come on, radio is fine, headlights seem
> to have plenty of brightness
>
> -turn key to starter position
> -->dash indicator lights flash rapidly and hear a faint fast clicking
> noise.
>
> I actually did buy a VAG COM system (v 3.1.1) just coincidentally a
> few months back. Ran a scan and came up clean.
>
> Any help is appreciated.

Forgive my spelling in the previous post.... typing too fast.

Peter Wieck
Wyncote, PA

[SFC]

Bad battery (prob about 6..7years old?). Just not enough power. I'll bet if
you measure it it will show a nice 12.5 volts. Charge it and try again.

SFC

<acydgod@..........> schreef in bericht
news:1172775828.210642.260050@n33g2000cwc......... o...........
> Hi,
> I'm a newby and this is probably a fairly straightforward problem
> but, after reading the other articles, didn't see one that
> specifically matched.
>
> In a nutshell, my passat won't start anymore.
> Symtoms:
> -turn key to first position
> -->no problem, check lights come on, radio is fine, headlights seem
> to have plenty of brightness
>
> -turn key to starter position
> -->dash indicator lights flash rapidly and hear a faint fast clicking
> noise.
>
> I actually did buy a VAG COM system (v 3.1.1) just coincidentally a
> few months back. Ran a scan and came up clean.
>
> Any help is appreciated.
>