Help, engine starts then immediately Dies!
 

Hello,

I just bought a used 02 TT today. Ran great all day then I went to start it in the evening and all it did is start then immediately stops. The engine does run for 3-5 secs. I went and bought a new battery, no resolve. The keys are the original keys so I don't believe its related to the electronic immobilizer. BTW, the only thing done to the car before the issue is detail it.

Any thoughts? I'm extremely frustrated and plan on calling the seller tomorrow and ripping him a new one.

THX,
Charles

sounds like the immobilizer. might need fresh batteries in the keys.

Thanks!

New batteries, could it be that easy? I find it hard to believe this would prevent the car from running - design flaw IMO. I'll try that out...

That's the whole point of the immobilizer, to keep the car from running if the correct keys aren't used. There's a renegotiation sequence you'll need to do to retrain the car/keys when you put new batteries in. Don't remember it off the top of my head but you should be able to search for it here.

Not sure about the 2002's but for a 2001 this answer makes no sense.

The battery in the remote/ key doesn't power the immobilizer.

The key comes in two pieces . Top part is remote with battery. Lower half is key with RFID chip (no battery). They are not electrically connected. The remote is just a remote.

I have 3 keys for my TT. One of them is a master key with no remote and thus no battery. Car works fine.

Check to see if the immobilizer light in the cluster comes on and turns off when the key is turned.

Also try the key both ways as sometimes if the signal is weak one position is better than the other.

If it's an immobilizer problem the motor will generally run for about 5 seconds.

Unfortunately if it is the immobilizer and you have only one it's a trip on a flatbed for you.

Might just need to be re-synced then. Had similar problem with the 2003 in the garage, replaced batteries and did the handshake and all was well.

i had this happen with my 2002 with about 50k on it and the dealer could not figure it out for like 3 weeks. which was ok since i got a new a4 loaner. they replaced all kinds of stuff trying to fix it (cluster and so on) they ended up ordering me three brand new keys(2 with remote and one plastic). car started fine since then...

welcome

Thanks for the advise everyone! I got up the next day and tried starting the car and it started up fine. No issues since then, not sure what to think.

Charles

Ah... It's back. Would not start 3 times today while out running errands. I had my mechanic take a look and he didn't find anything wrong.

Aside from the key fob, what else could it be?

Thanks!