2002 jetta turns over but won't start why ?

170

Asked by beks02jetta Oct 21, 2014 at 08:07 AM about the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

my 2002 vw jetta turns over but won't start what could be the problem ?

52 Answers

1,295

Does it have enough gas? When was the last time it started?

24 people found this helpful.
45,165

could be a bunch of things such as, Bad Spark, No gas, Clogged fuel-filter, Bad Gas pump, Broken Vacuum line, Clogged or carbon deposited air sensors.. and the list goes on. But the place you want to start is you work from the top and work your way down. Start with Does the car have spark ? check all 4 spark plugs. If there's spark move on to the air ways, check your air filter and MAF (MASS Air Flow Sensor) Is probably dirty so clean it with MAF cleaner. Move on to vacuum lines check all hoses you can visually see for breaks or leaks. If nothing is wrong hear check the cylinders for fuel by turning your key a quick turn with out the plugs in. use a solid piece of plastic to prob for dampness in the cylinders. If there is no fuel in the cylinders check all the fuel lines back to the fuel filter for leaks. If the fuel filter has not been replaced in over a year it would be best to replace it then try starting the car again after priming the system with 4 power on's *do not try to start just have the pump turn on 4 times to re prime the fuel filter* if it still does not have fuel move to the fuel pump and check to make sure you hear the buzzing noise it makes when you turn the key to power on. if no noise is present you found your issue. check for power at the pump first if there is power then replace the pump but only if your sure its the pump.

30 people found this helpful.
170

yes. It has gas. We let it sit overnight and it started right up. then happened again 5 days later. Same thing, sits overnight and starts up the next morning.

17 people found this helpful.
45,165

go threw my list and trouble shoot to solve your issue. And its sounding like its more a bad sensor then anything. does the car have trouble starting after you drive it for say an hr or more then park for about 30 mintues in the sun ? if so thats most likely a bad throtale tempature sensor. its mounted in the thortal body right on top.

18 people found this helpful.
155

Did you ever solve this problem? Im currently having this issue

15 people found this helpful.
45,165

read threw what i posted and you can pin point your problem. Also any garage with a vagcom system can help solve your issue as well.

5 people found this helpful.
300

I have the same problem I just change the crankshaft sensor, the mass air flow sensor, the camshaft sensor, it has a new water pump, new spark plug and wire. The car turn but it won't start it make the noise has if it would be out of time but I had just put it in time it turn on and everything I went for a test drive and it work I turn it off and try to turn it back on it was on for a few second and it turn off ever seen it won't start no more. Help me please

30 people found this helpful.
45,165

go threw the check list mate, if it still dont start then come back.

7 people found this helpful.
50

I change crank sensor Cam sensor ignition coil still won't start

5 people found this helpful.
45,165

go back up to the top and read threw the first post also look down the drivers side of ht engine and follow the rad lines. when you hit a 4 point flange attached to the side of the head check this for leaks or cracks. more often then not the temp sensor mount causes the sensor to fail and causes the car to not start. replacing the flange and sensor is normally the fix.

11 people found this helpful.
190

fuel injector fuse, NO32 replace it and she'll start

19 people found this helpful.
130

What would cause my 02 jetta have no spark, no power to the coil?

13 people found this helpful.
45,165

check the fuses first then the ignition would be my second point to look at. The coil pack may be the issue as well but i leave expensive replacments till last.

5 people found this helpful.
60

2.0 jetta non turbo, oil topped off brand new battery all power works car wont turn . 1 click. turned the crank . only 1 inch Both ways. took off the manifold and opened the cams. pistons move up and down crank wont turn .. will take off oil pan to see whats not moving ?

6 people found this helpful.
45,165

if its not turning its likely the starter. One way to figure this out is use a screwdriver to cross the points and if it turns over its fine if nothing happens but sparks then its dead. At that point i would jsut buy a new one. try a wreckers if you have one nearby. i picked one up once for 67$ it was brand new since the car i got it from had it just put on before it was put in the wreckers :P

9 people found this helpful.
70

I was at the lake sitting in my car, I have a bad habit of pushing down in the brakes while the car is off. When I went to start the car it wouldn't start. I had to leave it there the next morning I go back to get my car had my friend give me a jump but it still wouldn't start what's wrong with my car? Email me sitac802@gmail.com

7 people found this helpful.
20

I have a Jetta, has oil in the Plugs. Does this mean a blown motor? No because it turns over. Does this mean timing. The belt is not broken and I can see the teeth on all the gears are working. Just makes a weird Noise. And why oil in the Plugs? That is my biggest question. Could the person have missed the Hole? LOL

2 people found this helpful.
45,165

if there is oil in your plug holes 99% of the time its cause the oil is seeping threw your head cover gasket. Replace the gasket and there should not longer be an issue with oil in the plug holes. Hope that helps

40

my 02 jetta it trying to start but it wont i need help i need some one in kentucky to come look at it that knows what to do

4 people found this helpful.
10

2015 jetta diesel TDI worked great jntil sunday night running errands driving here stoping there go there and there and then all of a sudden last store and the car wont start sat for about 10 minutes . I added DEF fluid thinking that was the issue and walked away from it for about an hour came back worked fine . took to dealer monday Z nothing wrong with car . they changed fuel filter at this time and two days later it did the same thing leaving me stranded two hours from home . just wouldnt start , did crank though . back at dealer and they cant find problem they said its fine started ok about 10 times for them ( they also waited a day and half to even look at my car ) help please !

1 people found this helpful.
45,165

sounds like you likely have an issue with perhaps a over dirty sensor. try tearing apart your air ways and clean them as you go. also check the throtle body for signs of carbon possibly blocking the air flap and give it a good scrub with a rag and maf sensor cleaner. i would also have some one check the intake for signs of carbon build up as it can stop air flow.and as a side note is the key loose or have any play in the ignition ? often the key slot wll become loose and cause starting isues.

2 people found this helpful.
20

2002 jetta vr6 starts intermitantly had taken off battery would start then it would not go over 25mph then die. then it would start and run fin. now it will only start now and then then stop, if it starts at all. any ideas.

2 people found this helpful.

Also sounds like fuel filter could be full of sediment when fuel is being pulled from the tank the filter could be plugging up when it dies the sediment settles back down letting you be able to to start it again but will plug up again as you start it again.

20

I have an 08 Jetta it was running rough so i did and oil change, changed spark plugs, and got a new fuel filter after that it ran good for about a day or two then it wouldn't accelerate now itwont turn on at all what could it be?

2 people found this helpful.
45,165

gas, fuel, air, spark it needs all these to run check um one by one and make sure your fuel lines are tight. I installed my fuel filter once and it ended up pissing like a sive. installed my old one back on no issues.

3 people found this helpful.
10

Deathjam4 hey mine has spark as far as i know fuel and i tryed to crank it with starter fluid to see if she will fire no fire now it had crank sensor bad will that make it not start

1 people found this helpful.
45,165

yes it will make it not start. Think of an old car and the distributor. The crank sensor is like the distributor it keeps the spark in time for the engine just like the rotor does. if its bad then no spark ^.^

10

my brother in law just bought a 2002 Jetta. The guy said he was driving down the road and the car died and wouldn't start back up. We pulled it to my brother in laws house. The battery is charged but when you turn the key nothing happens. Its like its not getting any power.

1 people found this helpful.
45,165

Check the battery terminals. Also if it is not cranking at all it might just be the power wire to the starter. Try jumping the points to see if it spins. If it does it likely is a bad key ignition

2 people found this helpful.
280

Deathjam4. I had a bad vacuum pump changed it the car drove fine before this happened. The punp was demolished. Literally was in pieces. Anyway i changed it put everything back together and it won't start. It sounds like it wants to then doesn't. It also makes a sound like air flow possibly. Idk i heard there was a auto shutoff once there's no oil in the motor? TThenit resets after?? Please let me no what u think thanks.

2 people found this helpful.
45,165

ah the dreaded 2.5 i had that engine in my 2012. Its rather retarded the way the vacum pump is installed had 3 fail in 2 years (thank god for warrenty) check your oil filter mine sucked the filter in and it caused it to stall due to lack of oil also i would drop the oil pan and make sure no chunks of metal found its way into your pan.

1 people found this helpful.
20

Deathjam4. Question. 03 Jetta 1.8t auto. Car was running fine. Then all ththe sudden started missing. Drove the car home (about an hour) got home started taking the coil packs off still stayed started with two coil packs off. Car died. Hasn’t started since. Replaced the plugs bc two of them were soaked in gas. Did compression test 120-80-90- 120. Timing is good. Cranks but still no fire. Any suggestions?

2 people found this helpful.
45,165

1.8's were notorious for having a 4 point flange go bad for the rad piping going into the engine block which also has a temp sensor on it. Its possible the pipe has cracked or the sensor is bad at any rate it would be a good time to replace it. its located on the side of the engine usually under the intake manifold and throttle body. and no surprise that the spark plugs were wet if you detached them and left it running. also two cylinders are low at 80 and 90 they should be around 110 -120 and all consistent which ussaly points to a bad head which was also anouther more comman issue with these cars. they over heat and warp the head or ruin the head gasket. look for signs of milky film in your oil and low rad fluid levels.

2 people found this helpful.
10

@Deathjam4, I have a 2004 Jetta, 2.0L. I was on the freeway coming to a stop in traffic and the car died on me. I had it towed home and had not had a chance to look at it. This was about a week ago. Today I tried to start it and it did start but it was struggling to stay on. I tried to rev it and it did not respond. I put it in D and it started to sputter out. I checked my fuse inside the door and they all look fine. Prior to the car initially dying on me, the check engine light was on. I am thinking it is my fuel pump. I do not have a code reader to check this either. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

1 people found this helpful.
45,165

if the pump sounds normal pump is fine. the older cars really heavily on vacuum so start checking your crank case hoses and vacuum lines for cracks or breaks. the preasure regulator could be suspect but I would try air ways first. clean the maf and other sensors in the air way. then change the spark plugs if they have not been done in over 60,000km and see if that helps

3 people found this helpful.
30

Is there a fuel pump inertia switch on a 2002 Jetta 1.8T? My girlfriend drove here's into the ditch going about 30mph in the snow. The car started and drive a little ways down the road then died. It won't start now and the fuel pump isn't turning on.

3 people found this helpful.
60

I have a 2002 1.8t Jetta. Just had the water pump, valves, timing belt and all that good stuff done December 10, 2018 drove to Las Vegas from California and on my drive it sounded like shit and had no power. So I found the turbo was loose from the manifold so i tightened it up and fixed the problem. Then I had a misfire so I replaced all the spark plugs and coils. Car was running good and all and then it just died and the oil light was flashing but all my fluids are full and the car just turns and turns but won’t start. I’ve also replaced the fuel filter and i can hear the fuel pump. Please help!

5 people found this helpful.
30

Ai got jeta 4 2001 model doesn't start because no spark ai changed the plug leads ignition coil spark plugs still no spark

3 people found this helpful.
30

2007 Wolfsburg Edition. I cleaned the MAF, sensors are good, Air intake, car battery good, starter good and electrical is good. But, after I changed the vacuum pump car engine won't crank up. Anyone knows why?

3 people found this helpful.

My jetta 4 1.8t is starting ,then after 5 minites dies then it will start again after 6 hours and after 5 minites dies i can drive. What is the problem

20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raGwnHbr7LU Does it do this? For the folks having the problems still.

2 people found this helpful.
10

What can cause fuel not going through fuel pressure regulator?

1 people found this helpful.
60

@GuruG9W44 clogged fuel filter, bad fuel pump, clogged fuel pressure regulator. First thing to check is when you turn the key you should hear your fuel pump, if you don’t check your fuel relay it’s under your dash. If you do hear your pump then first check the fuel filter and make sure it’s not dirty or clogged, then check your fuel pressure regulator make sure it’s not clogged or busted. Other thing to check is the fuel pump strainer as those can get clogged as well. Hope this information helps

1 people found this helpful.
10

New fuel pump, filter and regulator. Fuel pressure at 45 when key on and goes up to about 60 when cranking

60

So your fuel pump is working if you checked that you have proper pressure. How do you know it’s not making it to the regulator? Pull the fuel rail with fuel injectors connected out of the manifold and have someone crank see if your injectors are working properly, if no spray is visible put them back in the manifold and pull the regulator and have someone crank see if you can see fuel. Keep following things back to the fuel pump and find the clog or broken piece

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