EV wont start...most of the time. All out of ideas. any advi

[peter wor]

So heres the deal.

I have a 2003 EV. Im having an issue with it not starting. It just does not engage the starter. doesn't even try to crank over. sounds like its an electrical thing. Sometimes though, it just starts after sitting for a week or 2 but will not start again after for another week. I cannot use my vag com because for some strange reason its not working, somethings wrong with the plug. another thing i have to fix.

I have a relatively new battery and replaced the ignition switch. I hear the transmission click when I hit the brake before starting, Im assuming thats the neutral safety switch working. Im not sure if its the immobilizer, but if it was im not sure why it would work only once a week and i have no idea how to check it.

Anyway, if anybody has any ideas to check things from cheapest to most expensive i would greatly appreciate it. I cant afford to take it to a shop so i have to figure it out on my own.

[Abscate]

Got the 2002EV car, in Colorado Red.

The braid between the solenoid and starter on my car corroded away a year or two ago. The symptom was a slight delay between the key turn and the starter engaging, and then eventually, no-start.
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.ssS!

[peter wor]

ok cool.

Ill check that. Im in NYC as well. do you know if i need to take the pan off the bottom? im in nyc as well. love working on cars in the street

[CdnVWJunkie]

[a1fa]

Please make sure you disconnect your battery and chock the wheels before you start messing and probing around the starter.

Thanks,
Darwin.
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Learn to ride. Ride to learn.

[Abscate]

You will need to drop the pan, and the starter on the EV is a b**** to get to.



The top starter bolt had to be accessed with about 2 1/2 feet of extenders out in the wheel well.

Parts warning!!

When I went to put the replacement one in, I specified new - it turned out the new starter had a 13mm shaft. The old one, and remanufactured have a 12.5 mm shaft. Putting in a new bushing to match meant pulling the transmission



I replaced with a remanufactured Bosch.
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.ssS!

[MarkWard]

The click you hear when you step on the brake pedal is the lock that prevents you from putting the transmission in gear without having your foot on the brake. Started in 86 with the runaway Audis.

Have you tried starting it in neutral rather than park? If it cranks that might indicate a bad neutral safety switch. That is there to keep you from starting it in gear.

If you do decide to work on the starter. You should disconnect the battery ground cable first to avoid sparks or worse. If you have safety radio, you'll need the unlock code if you do disconnect the battery.
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[peter wor]

thanks everyone, Ill make sure to disconnect the battery before checking the wires. Looking forward to figuring out this weekend.