Recently I bought an 01 Passat with a V6. Intermittently, when I go to start it, it cranks and cranks and doesn’t catch. When this happens, the EPC and check engine light come on.
Other than that it is a fine car, I’m the second owner, and it was thoroughly maintained at VW dealerships and specialist. Recently there was a new oil pan and starter put in (w/in a month–previous owners).
Any ideas?
Ryan
Shortly Following An “Episode,” Take The Car To A National Chain Auto Parts Store (Auto Zone, Advance, Etcetera).
Most will have an employee come out to the parking lot with a code reader and check the car for DTCs (diagnostic trouble codes), free of charge.
Write down any codes exactly as given (PO123, PO402, etcetera), if there are any, and post them here. Often times these codes are clues as to which system(s) is/are causing problems.
How do you finally get it started ? Does it start normally if you wait a while ?
CSA
The EPC and check engine light come on because the engine is not running. They also turn on if you put the key in the spot in ignition just before engaging the starter.
If they come on when the engine is running then you can have codes checked. Otherwise you need diagnosis done for fuel, spark working.
Thanks for the feedback. I’ll be heading into the dealership soon to get the codes, when I do, I’ll post them.
If it sits for a little bit (20 min or so?), it starts up fine, like nothing was ever wrong. Just needs a little time out.
Ryan