# 2008 Volkswagen Van - Bump start?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-van-bump-start/125926>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** volkswagen\
**Created:** [September 30, 2018, 11:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-van-bump-start/125926 "2018-09-30T11:34:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Karen02](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c77e96/32.png) [@Karen02](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Karen02)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 11:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-van-bump-start/125926/1 "2018-09-30T11:34:04Z")

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Can I bump start a diesel van down a short hill + which gear should I use. (Needs new glowplug + batteries nearly dead! Have to drive it to garage!)

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**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2008-volkswagen-van-bump-start/125926/2 "2018-09-30T15:44:11Z")

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I doubt it. This has a direct injection engine, I believe, that requires quite a bit of battery current to operate the booster fuel pump, the ECU and injectors. I don’t think you can “spin-up” the alternator, in any gear, enough bump starting it to start the engine.