1998 Volkswagen Jetta STARTING PROBLEMS

Tiny
MFREDIANI
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 105,000 MILES
Recently I've been having trouble starting the engine. I turn the key and all the dash lights come on, but the car won't turn over. After turning the key several times, it will fire right up. Thankfully, it has always started eventually. However this is happening more frequently and it is taking more turns of the key to start. Today it happened twice and it took about 8-10 turns of the key before it finally started. On a side note, the engine has been idling very low when the AC is on. It will sometimes die at a stop sign if the AC is on. Not sure if this problem is related. Thanks for your help!
Friday, October 8th, 2010 AT 8:47 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
When it doesn't start, is the starter turning the engine?
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
MFREDIANI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No, the engine is not turning over. Yesterday when the problem occurred I wiggled the key in the ingition while the key was all the way turned to the start position. It started right up. I did this several times and it worked every time.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 11:55 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
It sounds like there is a problem with the ignition switch. It could be an adjustment issue or the switch itself is bad.
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Tuesday, December 20th, 2016 AT 11:55 AM

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