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aclutter
Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2025
Posts: 5
Location: Austin, TX
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 Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 7:44 pm Post subject: No Crank Suddenly |
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Hi All,
New owner here. I recently recently purchased a 2001 GLS with 115,000 miles. It spent a good amount of time sitting with the last owner.
Since purchasing the I've been chasing down some emissions related codes with the SAI and Evap systems.
Suddenly, it won't start after having it apart last week to inspect the combi valve and replace some vacuum lines. Otherwise, I haven't gotten into any real invasive maintenance items yet.
It doesn't crank at all. I feel that the starter motor may be culprit, but I'm open to other ideas.
- I replaced the battery. I was hoping that was it and I had low-confidence that it would hold a charge after sitting.
- Ignition switch has also been replaced.. Again, kinda throwing parts at it without a diagnostic approach..
- I have also cycled the transmission and haven't had any luck in getting it to crank.
- Symptoms also don't seem to indicate an immobilizer issue
Anyway, appreciate any advice. Here's a photo of Nelly, affectionately named after the student loan provider that I no longer owe.
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2001 Eurovan GLS |
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 24497
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 7:59 pm Post subject: Re: No Crank Suddenly |
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Roll under and look at the pigtail from the starter solenoid to the starter motor,
If it was slightly delayed cranking before it quit completely, thatβs a likely culprit.
Breakout the voltmeter and start diagnostics, troubleshooting by poll is a waste of time better spent finding the problem, since you learn by doing.
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Saturn
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2019
Posts: 266
Location: San Francisco
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| Posted: Sun May 18, 2025 11:44 pm Post subject: Re: No Crank Suddenly |
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| Abscate wrote: |
| Breakout the voltmeter and start diagnostics, troubleshooting by poll is a waste of time better spent finding the problem, since you learn by doing. |
I absolutely agree with Abscate about digging in around diagnostics as that is the best way to learn about your new chariot. In terms of troubleshooting, I am always in favor of asking, especially if you are new to the make/model.
Where I would start is to check the health of the starter. Run a jumper between the male connector on the starter solenoid and the positive battery terminal and see if this activates the starter. On my 1995 EVC with the 5 cylinder engine, the connector on the solenoid is readily accessible on the left side of the engine but I don't know where the starter is located on the VR6-powered Eurovans.
If it spins the engine then your issue is most likely up stream with the ignition switch as the most likely suspect, although you have already changed that out from your initial post. If you get a bunch of sparks when connecting the jumper to the battery terminal then the starter will need to be replaced.
My experience with a no-start condition on my 1995 EVC:
Instance #1 https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9975345#9975345
Instance #2:https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10017908#10017908
Replacing the starter: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=10102544#10102544
Other areas to consider:
- Check your fuses and the connections to your battery.
- What happens with the dash, do any of the warning lights illuminate when the key is in the #2 position?
- What is the voltmeter reading of the battery when at rest, when the key is at the #2 position and when turning the key fully it to crank the engine?
- Neutral safety switch, is that functioning corrrectly?
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aclutter
Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2025
Posts: 5
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Mon May 19, 2025 10:14 am Post subject: Re: No Crank Suddenly |
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Thanks for the advice y'all.
I'll get down and start checking out the starter and confirm I don't have any other fuse/relay issues.
Just wanted to verify I was on the right path!
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2001 Eurovan GLS |
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aclutter
Samba Member
Joined: May 05, 2025
Posts: 5
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Tue May 20, 2025 8:41 am Post subject: Re: No Crank Suddenly |
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Update:
This is has been resolved. It turned out to be a corroded connection at the signal wire terminal. A little wire brush treatment got it firing up again.
I was also able to repair a leaking vacuum tubing connection below the brake booster that I didn't spot initially while trying to diagnose the SAI system.
Next up is the leaky valve cover.
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2001 Eurovan GLS |
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