Like it's out of gas. Take key out try again, sometimes starts?

CBINKLEYC

MEMBER
2009 VOLKSWAGEN EOS
2.0L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
75,500 MILES

Started having problems with starting. I was using a spare key. So stopped and started using the main key. The problem started again. Will not turn over. Like it's out of gas. Take key out try again, sometimes starts. Car gives me a digital reading that car is disabled. I don't know what's going on. After trying and trying it finally starts. It's really getting annoying. Once started car runs great, no sputtering, no stalling. I even had it on expressway, does great. Sometimes I don't drive for 2- or 3-days, the car is fine. It was cold this morning. Of course, didn't want to start. I went to an appt car and sat for about an hour. Of course, wouldn't start. After 5 minutes of trying to start it, it finally did. Drove home, stopped got gas, went back out for a bit. Tried to start little bit ago wouldn't start again. Help!

1 Reply

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

So, each time it won't start the disabled warning is on? or when the warning is not there it starts? We should run a CAN scan to see what comes up, you can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) from Amazon.

Here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

and

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

Also, you can try a hard reboot which is done by removing the negative side of the battery, with the cable loose from the negative side of the battery, hold it to the positive terminal for 1 minute this will discharge the memory capacitors in the BCM and PCM allowing the system to reboot.

This guide may help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

Please go over these guides and report back.