# 2011 Volkswagen Golf - Diesel is dead? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** volkswagen, engines\ **Created:** [May 12, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758 "2021-05-12T15:26:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dennis26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@Dennis26](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dennis26)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 3:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/1 "2021-05-12T15:26:29Z")
While driving my diesel 2011 VW Golf, the engine suddenly slowed down and came to a complete halt. A yellow warning light appeared indicating the diesel engine pre-flow system was switched on. The warning light was solid, NOT blinking. After having the vehicle towed to my home, it will not start. What should I do now? Not only has this caused stress and anxiety, but I am very worried this could be a huge repair bill. Thank you for your attention to my inquiry. –Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 4:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/2 "2021-05-12T16:02:32Z")
Did you mean pre-Glow? Your pre-glow timer might be bad, just one guess. If you have access to a code reader, codes present might give you or us a better shot at guessing at the source of the problem. Or, just tow it in for a diagnosis and repair estimate. ---
**Author:** ![Dennis26](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@Dennis26](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dennis26)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/3 "2021-05-12T16:42:09Z")
Hey there - my bad, I did mean pre-Glow. Thanks for the advice. ---
**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:** [May 12, 2021, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/4 "2021-05-12T21:23:09Z")
Do you have the ability to diagnose and repair your diesel? If not, why tow it home rather than a repair shop? ---
**Author:** ![ledhed75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@ledhed75](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ledhed75)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/5 "2021-05-12T21:25:29Z")
Yeah, you need to have this car taken to a shop. We can’t diagnose it over the internet, at least not with the given information. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/6 "2021-05-13T14:40:04Z")
Well, there will be no repair bill if you just leave it dead in your driveway, but I don’t think that will relieve your anxiety. Get it towed to a dealer or independent shop of your choice and find out.Do not go to any chain of any kind. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 2:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/7 "2021-05-13T14:50:22Z")
I’d check around on a VW diesel forum for good shops in your area. ---
**Author:** ![TXdealer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/50afbb/32.png) [@TXdealer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TXdealer)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 3:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/8 "2021-05-13T15:14:36Z")
Have you replaced the timing belt yet? I think it is due at 120k on your engine. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/9 "2021-05-13T20:45:40Z")
> [@Dennis26](#): > > but I am very worried this could be a huge repair bill. Quit worrying, it WILL be a huge repair bill, it’s a Volkswagen. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/10 "2021-05-13T21:13:59Z")
Could be fuel pump, bad fuel. No fuel. Get it looked at ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 9:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/11 "2021-05-13T21:16:44Z")
> [@PvtPublic](#): > > it WILL be a huge repair bill, it’s a Volkswagen. Yes, but because VW dealerships have such a rancid reputation for ripping-off their customers, there are independent VW specialists in a LOT of areas. While it won’t be possible to make that marque into one with low repair costs, at least VW owners can reduce their repair costs by taking their cars to an indy VW specialist. The VW specialist guy in my area has a booming business because his repair rates are so much lower than those of the VW dealerships. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2021, 9:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/12 "2021-05-13T21:36:19Z")
There are good and bad examples of both dealers and repair shops out there, My brother’s managed to keep the costs of his '09 GTi reasonable by using the local VW specialist since day one. They’d treated him so well during the $800 Jetta days that now he’ll only buy cars that they service. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 12:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/13 "2021-05-14T12:47:19Z")
Without knowing what, if any, electrical diagnostic ability or tools you may have along with what if any DTCs are present it can be difficult to say without car in hand. With diesels, check the glow plug fuse as a first step. Those are very high amperage fuses and can be prone to failure after many repeated heating and cooling cycles. If the fuse is good post back and we will try to carry this further. FWIW, I’m an ex VW disingenuous thief/tech. We all are. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2021, 1:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2011-volkswagen-golf-diesel-is-dead/176758/14 "2021-05-14T13:38:50Z")
Did oil pressure light come on too?