Volkswagen Won’t Start After Battery Died? What Should You Do?

Volkswagen won’t start after battery died? – Below is a share of a friend of mine about the same problem.

He has a Volkswagen, and when he forgot to turn off the lights, the battery died. He tried to start the car when he got in, and he heard a clicking sound from beneath the dashboard. 

He connected the jumper cables after which he re-charged the battery.

The car will now turn over but not start anymore. He examined the fuses, and everything appeared to be in working order. 

In an effort to reset anything, he disconnected the ground and left the car idle for 15 minutes. The same results were obtained after reconnecting it.

It is not too difficult to offer guidance on this issue. I’ll provide you with some solutions in the post that follows.

What Do Automobile Batteries Do?

The car battery is one of the most crucial components when it comes to your car’s operation. Any driver would hate to find themselves stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery. Your car’s power comes from its battery. Without it, you couldn’t move your car anywhere.

The electrical parts of your car are powered by electricity from the car battery. No electrical part of the automobile will function without the internal battery’s electricity, leaving you without lights, a radio, and power windows.

In the battery system, a chemical reaction converts chemical energy into electrical energy, which then supplies voltage to the starter. 

The battery also maintains voltage stability so that your engine runs reliably and continuously.

The car wouldn’t be able to start or keep its power level high enough to operate without the battery.

The many roles that each part of your car plays should be kept in mind as you investigate why your car won’t start after the battery dies.

What Should You Do When Volkswagen Won’t Start After Battery Died?

Find someone to check the voltage while the vehicle is running to see whether it dips when you press the gas. A pulley seizing could possibly be the cause of this.

It would be easiest to simply remove the belt and inspect all the pulleys to see whether they are turning before having the belt tested for symptoms of rubbing.

In cars from that era, when the battery is depleted or replaced, the throttle body occasionally loses its code. 

It’s uncertain whether a scanner in an auto parts store will detect this, so you might need to find someone with knowledge of VWs.

The battery must then be reinstalled after being cleaned at both terminals. Start the automobile, and after about ten minutes of normal city driving, continue driving it for about the same amount of time at highway speeds.  

Your battery may not have fully recharged after going dead, in my opinion. And if so, this ought to restore your normalcy.

Causes Car Won’t Start After Replacing Battery

When it was discovered that the old battery was damaged, you swapped it out for a new one. The automobile is still not functional, though. Here are the specific justifications.

Incorrect Installation

If you install a brand-new battery under the hood and the vehicle still won’t start, you should look at the installation. 

Are the cables in good condition and were they firmly clamped down? The battery won’t be able to start the automobile if this is the case.

The positive cable must also be in good condition all the way to its junction with the starter. Additionally, the battery needs to work with your car. Not all vehicles use car batteries. 

In order to start the engine in your car, you require a specific size and capacity.

You can’t expect your heavy-duty pickup truck to get enough power from the current needed to start a four-cylinder engine. Consult the owner’s manual if you’re unsure about the battery you require.

Corrosion of Connectors

The terminal posts and connectors of batteries corrode with time. The hydrogen gasses generated from the battery acid induce corrosion.

Corrosion might obstruct the connection if it progresses too far. If the rust is severe enough, the car may not even start.

Faulty Starter

If the car receives power and the lights come on but the engine won’t start, you might be dealing with a separate issue. It’s conceivable that you misdiagnosed the dead battery.

When you try to start the car, a faulty starter could make a growling noise. It might also result in complete silence.

Stuck Engine

Another option is that you thought you had a bad battery when, in fact, the engine is seized. You could recall some signs of an engine failure if you think back to the last time the automobile was running.

It’s possible that you smelled burning or saw someone smoking. Additionally, there might have been odd engine noises like knocking or tapping.

Lost Stored Parameters in ECM

When the battery cable is removed from some automobile models, it’s conceivable that the control modules will lose their calibration and settings. 

On the majority of car models, however, this shouldn’t occur because the control modules should be able to hold the data without a battery.

The only way to fix it is to go to a mechanic or someone with the appropriate tools for a calibration, but it is still a possibility. 

It might possibly be a problem with the immobilizer not receiving the proper information.

How to Fix Car Won’t Start After Replacing Battery

Here are ways to help you handle the situation where the car does not work after replacing the battery. Let’s consult now!

Examine the Battery

Checking the battery must be your first action. To begin, check the connections to make sure they are all secure. 

Additionally, you should make sure that the connectors don’t have any rust. If there is, rinse it off with a solution of baking soda and water. The best solution is this one, which is also nearly cost-free.

Use a voltmeter to check the charge’s status if you are using the correct battery and all of the connections appear to be secure. 

It must show 12.6 volts or more. The battery is dead if it doesn’t. If the battery is brand-new, however, you should proceed to the following step.

Examine the Alternator

Many people are prepared to offer guidance if you search online for an alternator check. The positive connection should be unplugged while the engine is running, according to many publications. 

Nothing is amiss with the alternator if the car keeps running. However, this is a subpar method of inspecting the alternator, and it might even harm the electronics of the vehicle.

Instead, use a voltmeter to check the alternator while the car is moving. The voltage of the battery should increase when the engine is running if it is fully charged. That is as a result of the working alternator charging it. 

The alternator will fail if the voltage doesn’t increase or drops. Take the alternator to your neighborhood auto parts store for a free check if you can’t start the vehicle for a check.

Verify the Starter

The starter needs to be checked if all of the interior lights and accessories are functional but you still cannot start the vehicle. 

The starter’s motor and solenoid are just two of the many components that could malfunction.

The starter will be tested for free at several car parts outlets. If you are unsure how to accomplish this yourself, simply remove it and bring it to your neighborhood participating location.

Consult a Mechanic

It’s time to see a professional if the aforementioned measures haven’t made it easier for you to identify the issue. You should have your vehicle properly diagnosed because you might be dealing with a worse problem.

Final Thoughts

Did the information we just provided regarding Volkswagen batteries actually assist you? The vehicle cannot be run if the battery is dead, therefore please get a new one. Learn how to fix the car if it still doesn’t work after being replaced with a new one. If you can’t solve anything, the last option is to consult a specialist. I hope you find a solution.

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