2010 Golf TDI won't start

ultranaut

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Location
PNW
TDI
2010 Golf TDI DSG 2-door
I should be on my morning commute right now but my car won't start. Last drove it two days ago without issue. The dash display flickers on and off, turning the key causes the door locks to make noise but otherwise doesn't seem to do anything.
I'm at about 45K, I last drove it 2 days ago without issue.

Does anyone have any idea what might be going on here?
 
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Ski in NC

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Location
Wilmington, NC USA
TDI
2001 Jetta ALH 5sp stock
Two kinds of no-start due to battery:

1) Good battery, but discharged due to current drain from...something.

2) Failed battery. Electrical system ok, no drain, but battery just dies.

Connect jumpers to a running car or connect charger. Leave alone for maybe 10min. If car starts, then battery is ok, just discharged.

No start on jump, could be bad battery, needs further testing to confirm.
 

ultranaut

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Location
PNW
TDI
2010 Golf TDI DSG 2-door
Thanks for the quick responses! I have a tow truck showing up in 30 minutes. I really hope it's just a dead battery. My girlfriend drove it last, maybe she left the lights on or something. I always thought they turned themselves off automatically but I've never tested it.
Strangely enough, the battery in her car died earlier this week.
 

740GLE

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2009
Location
NH
TDI
2015 Passat SEL, 2017 Alltrack SE; BB 2010 Sedan Man; 2012 Passat,
ohh the headlight switch!
 

ultranaut

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 24, 2009
Location
PNW
TDI
2010 Golf TDI DSG 2-door
Headlight switch: it's not my fault, it's the girl friend.
Haha, it does sound like a lame excuse. I think it's true though.

VW customer care had a tow truck on-site within the hour. Tow truck driver couldn't jump it, took it to dealer. They hooked me up with a GTI to drive for the day and charged the battery up for a few hours, after that it started right up fine. Tow truck was $50. Dealer was $0! Best customer service ever.
 

PeteVinBoston

Veteran Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2009
Location
Boston, MA
TDI
2009 Black on Black JSW TDI; 6sp Manual
Glad it worked out. Not to sound like a commercial, but these situations are why I have AAA+. $50-60 a year. 100 miles of towing, jumps, fuel, lock out service.
 
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