99 jetta tdi 1.9 starts then shuts right off

alright guys & gals im a new tdi owner. Bought the car and it was wrecked, put an intercooler on it and patched up a few things and she ran like a champ. one day i ran in the store and came out it wasnt running. went to start it and it would start then just die. towed it to a garage who works on diesels and he said it needed a fuel pump, but that the parts alone were $1500. now i got the pump, replaced pump and filter. back to where we started, starts n shuts off. guess im asking for the tdi boot camp for dummies!? thanks!

Check the anti shutter valve. Maybe plug the vacuum line on it and see if it starts. Also, have you made sure you puted the fuel system and got all the air bubbles out?

How long does it run for? Is there anything flashing on the dash when you try? It might be the immobilizer, mine had a similar problem and it was the immobilizer.

Have you hooked up to Vcds and checked for any codes stored ?
It could be the CPS ( crank position sensor ).
I had one go bad on a bug I’ve been putting back together....
It’s located under the oil filter housing just to the right as viewing the engine from the front.

For some reason the immobilizer suddenly started getting me occasionally on my '2. Both keys. So far it's started after a few tries. On mine the dash light is at the top center of the speedo, or maybe tach. A key with a car on top.

VCDS reports the event.

But does the '99 even have it???

Hard to believe the pump quit that suddenly without warning.

Wait a minute, reread your post.

Did you leave it running when you left it? If so it wouldn't be the immobilizer.

'99s don't have immobolizers.

OP....


Did any clues pop out at you when you went through whitedogs "no start troubleshooting guide"? It's a sticky in the 101 forum in case you missed it.