‘15 Passat TDI premium SEL will not start … please Help!

[gkmat]

I press the start button and the engine will not turn over just sit and tries to turn over. Just drove this morning 2-3 hrs ago, no MIL, sounded normal, ran normal.
Apparently I do not have the model with an ignition switch. Did this to me yesterday but later on I got in and it fired right up.

125k
Maint up to date

 

[ZippyNH]

If it tries to turn over there are really a few likely causes since it sounds the the battery in the key is ok...
Most likely...the cars battery is bad...try to jumpstart it...
Starters do age, get old and fail...old trick was to bash them with a hammer when they were easy to get too to get another start so you could drive it to the shop.....

 

[gkmat]

Thank you!
Will try

 

[gkmat]

Alternator is bad. How much should I expect to pay. Any tips or do not do’s?

 

[pedroYUL]

Get in touch with @Mozambiquer , he can help you with very reasonable pricing.

 

[ZippyNH]

You said no "mil" so no red charging light? Typically it will at least flicker on/off as the battery provides power to keep driving a bit, or be full on glowing.
My tip...
Since the labor is kinda big, even if you diy it, don't get an orange/red/green parts store "lifetime" unit .. typically Chinese junk that's so cheap that you are basically giving your $$ core plus $100 to get get a $100 item that's worth $50....the gamble of the store is it lasts a year and you will have sold the car before it fails, if not, it's not $$ to trade ya for another junk one.
Get a quality one, be it rebuilt, remanufactured or new.
This is especially true if you are paying to get it installed or value your time

 

[Mozambiquer]

I press the start button and the engine will not turn over just sit and tries to turn over. Just drove this morning 2-3 hrs ago, no MIL, sounded normal, ran normal.
Apparently I do not have the model with an ignition switch. Did this to me yesterday but later on I got in and it fired right up.

125k
Maint up to date

Could you get a video of it? Cranking? So I've been talking to you in the messages but also wanted to do it here just for the benefit of others who might come across this. An alternator will not cause it to not start unless it is locked up and causing it to not crank very well. But that'll cause it to not crank very well. You mention it's up to date on maintenance, how about the timing belt? Do you have access to vcds? If so, there's a couple of tests they should do.

 

[privateTDIjet]

Alternator is bad. How much should I expect to pay. Any tips or do not do’s?

I found it pretty easy to change out the alternator on my 2014 Passat. You just need to get the front off and supported by a jack (“service mode” no need to disconnect coolant/AC lines) to make some space between the radiator fans and the front of the engine. Then undo the bolts holding the alternator and it’ll come out.