2010 Golf TDI won't start

[ultranaut]

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?

 

[Ski in NC]

Sounds like a dead battery. Anyone nearby that can give you a jumpstart? Or a battery charger and extension cord?

 

[Antsrcool]

yep sounds like battery death

 

[Ski in NC]

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]

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]

ohh the headlight switch!

 

[fastalan]

Headlight switch: it's not my fault, it's the girl friend.

 

[ultranaut]

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]

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.