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Car will start for two to five seconds only?

Tiny
LEXILUTOTHERESCUE
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 231,000 MILES
This car is new to me. I just bought it on my birthday February 29, 2024. I bought it in Atlanta, GA. I drove it the 3-hour trip back home to Augusta, GA fine no issues.

The next day the car wouldn't crank which was expected as I was told by the seller that I was going to need a new battery ASAP and also the fuel gauge was not working so it ran out of gas.

So, I figured it was something wrong with the fuel pump or filter, but we checked, and the fuel pump seems fine, the filter was pretty dirty, so we cleaned it and put it back on. Later that day the battery I had ordered showed up, we installed it and tried cranking the car and it will crank run for a few seconds at best and shuts off.

We checked the spark plugs and they didn't look so good, so we went ahead and replaced them, checked them to make sure there was spark and once again tried to start the car and again it shut off after a few seconds.

We have checked all the fuses and checked to make sure all connections are properly connected; no problems were found there. We just cannot figure out what the problem is! I was searching Google looking for a possible solution and found my way here. I really hope you can help!

Thanks in advance!
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Thursday, March 7th, 2024 AT 8:17 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 799 POSTS
Hello,

First question, how did you clean the fuel filter?
It is a sealed, metal, container. See image 2
I would suggest replacing it. An internal faulty/loose filter element could cause this issue

The other possible cause could be an immobilizer issue. Do you have a yellow immobilizer warning light on? See image below.

If so, next, try the spare key if your vehicle was supplied with one.

Also, I would suggest scanning the vehicle for possible fault codes.

How to:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Cheers, Boris
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Friday, March 8th, 2024 AT 12:49 AM
Tiny
LEXILUTOTHERESCUE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Well, I washed it by running some warm water through it until the water was no longer coming out super nasty then I hung it so any remaining water could escape, and it could dry then we put it back on.

I do understand buying a new one would have been the best recourse and I did our purchase one just waiting on it to get delivered. I was just trying to see if cleaning it could be a quick fix while waiting on the new one to arrive.
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Friday, March 8th, 2024 AT 2:32 AM
Tiny
LEXILUTOTHERESCUE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
But I was going through the trunk the other night and low and behold there was a brand new fuel filter in there the whole time. My husband installed it yesterday and it didn't fix the issue. And as for the immobilizer light it is not one of the lights that come on the dash.
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Friday, March 8th, 2024 AT 2:35 AM
Tiny
LEXILUTOTHERESCUE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Also, I got it with only one key but that is irrelevant because the lock on the door doesn't work as a matter of fact if you try to unlock it the whole lock will pull back out with the key.
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Friday, March 8th, 2024 AT 2:38 AM
Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 799 POSTS
Hello,

I would suggest to first carry out a diagnostic fault code read and post any fault codes (DTC) on our site for further evaluation

For the engine to start, run for a few seconds and then cut out we are missing either spark or fuel supply or both.

Both are controlled by the ECM, engine control module. This unit can set fault codes under certain conditions, so a scan would retrieve these.

To check for a possible faulty in tank fuel pump you would need to check the delivery pressure using a fuel pressure gauge. A good indication is a noisy, loud buzzing, pump when running. This often happens if a vehicle is driven until it runs out of gas, causing the in-tank fuel pump to overheat.

Pressure should be 3.5-5.0 bar.

How to check fuel pressure:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
and
https://youtu.be/peh7-pFycyc?si=MKezbeQ43MDYjd9K

You could also check for possible loss of spark if the vehicle cranks and does not start.

How to:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Cheers, Boris
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Friday, March 8th, 2024 AT 3:23 AM
Tiny
LEXILUTOTHERESCUE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Do you think it could have something to do with the anti-theft system?
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Friday, March 8th, 2024 AT 3:57 AM
Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 799 POSTS
Hello,

This was my first question regarding the anti-theft light on the instrument cluster.
Also, that's why I asked about a second key to try.

I still would suggest to first carry out a fault code scan, this could assist in diagnosing the vehicle.

Cheers, Boris
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Friday, March 8th, 2024 AT 5:40 AM
Tiny
LEXILUTOTHERESCUE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Well, I don't have the thing to do that.
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Saturday, March 9th, 2024 AT 12:12 PM
Tiny
BORIS K
  • MECHANIC
  • 799 POSTS
Hello,

Without you scanning for possible codes makes diagnosis a bit more difficult
Suggest to carry out the spark and fuel pressure checks next.

As previously advised.

To check for a possible faulty in tank fuel pump you would need to check the delivery pressure using a fuel pressure gauge. A good indication is a noisy, loud buzzing, pump when running. This often happens if a vehicle is driven until it runs out of gas, causing the in-tank fuel pump to overheat.

Pressure should be 3.5-5.0 bar.

How to check fuel pressure:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
and
https://youtu.be/peh7-pFycyc?si=MKezbeQ43MDYjd9K

You could also check for possible loss of spark if the vehicle cranks and does not start.

How to:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Cheers, Boris
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Monday, March 11th, 2024 AT 7:14 AM
Tiny
LEXILUTOTHERESCUE
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
  • 1999 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 2.0L
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 2,310,000 MILES
I changed the battery and now it turns over and acts like it will start but shut down after about 3 seconds?
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Monday, March 18th, 2024 AT 2:51 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,758 POSTS
Hi,

If the engine starts and stalls after a few seconds, my first thought is the fuel pressure may be low. Have you checked the fuel pressure?

Here is a link that explains how it's done. However, I believe on this model year, you will need to attach a T type hose that attaches between the fuel supply and fuel rail under the hood. The 3rd fitting on the T is for a pressure gauge.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

You will need a fuel pressure gauge, but most parts stores will lend one to you. When you request one, tell them what type of vehicle it is and that it doesn't have a traditional Schrader valve for testing. Instead, you need a T pipe as I mentioned above.

Let me know what you find.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, March 18th, 2024 AT 2:51 PM (Merged)

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