# Car Won't Start After Getting Gas!? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** jetta, volkswagen\ **Created:** [October 20, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368 "2009-10-20T15:47:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![doddsdiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@doddsdiana](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doddsdiana)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 3:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/1 "2009-10-20T15:47:20Z")
My 2006 VW Jetta will not start after getting gas!! I have to try at least a half dozen times before it will start AND this ONLY happens after getting gas! Help! ---
**Author:** ![researcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@researcher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/researcher)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 4:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/2 "2009-10-20T16:54:40Z")
The next time you refuel fill the tank with a set amount that will not cause the pump nozzle to click off i.e. if you can add 20 gallons, only put in 19. Now see if the problem still occurs. Also try a mock fill up. Drive to the station; park at the pump; spend the same time as you would take filling up; and then try to start the engine. Get back to us with the results of these tests. ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/3 "2009-10-20T23:20:47Z")
Well, what do you do to get it started when it does not start after filling up? Give us something to work with. šŸ™‚ ---
**Author:** ![doddsdiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@doddsdiana](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doddsdiana)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/4 "2009-10-26T15:37:25Z")
I tried both the mock fill up and the lower amounts of gasā€¦car still will not start immediately after a fill upā€¦it takes about 6 -10 times trying to get it to start before it finally startsā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![doddsdiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@doddsdiana](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doddsdiana)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/5 "2009-10-26T15:37:54Z")
i continue to try until it finally does startā€¦can take up to 10 tries sometimes!! Grr!!! ---
**Author:** ![researcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@researcher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/researcher)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/6 "2009-10-26T16:23:50Z")
Have you been driving only a short distance before you fill up? Have you tried a flood clear when this happens? A flood clear is where you push the gas pedal to the floor while cranking. When the engine does start, does it run rough and stumble? I donā€™t want to appear to be doing a twenty question exercise here but I am trying to zero in on the circumstances and conditions when your problem occurs. Once you know the engine condition when this problem occurs you can present it to your mechanic, as example, ā€œafter 10 minutes of driving, I shut off the engine for 5 minutes and it is very hard to restart.ā€ Then the mechanic has a chance to recreat the problem and diagnose exactly what is happening. If you wish to troubleshoot this problem yourself further, post back and I can give you more help. ---
**Author:** ![doddsdiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@doddsdiana](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doddsdiana)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/7 "2009-11-18T02:30:41Z")
it doesnā€™t matter if I have driven a short distance or a long distance, whenever I put gas in my tank, it takes several times before it starts. Yes, I do the flood clear to get it started and yes, sometimes the car stumbles before it startsā€¦it is as if it ā€œcatchesā€ and then starts. itā€™s very frustrating b/c the car starts after any time that it is not on except after getting gasā€¦HELP!! ---
**Author:** ![naconi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/898d66/32.png) [@naconi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/naconi)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/8 "2009-11-20T18:42:00Z")
It could be the EVAP purge valve is bad and stuck open. I had the same problem on a 98 Beetle. If it is still under warranty you should take it to the dealer. ---
**Author:** ![dlove69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/87869e/32.png) [@dlove69](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dlove69)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/9 "2009-11-22T02:07:18Z")
I am having the exact same problem with my 2003 Chevy Cavalier. Every time I fill up it takes me like 8 times to get it started and I just keep trying till it finally starts. I guess Iā€™ll ask the mechanic if it could be the EVAP purge valve? ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 2:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/10 "2009-11-22T14:50:35Z")
If it is under warranty, donā€™t bother, it is a warranty issue. If no longer under warranty, then I suggest trying a new gas cap. Yea, guys there does not seem to be a logical connection, but it is something Doddsdiana can do almost for free and there is a remote chance it may be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![doddsdiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/71c47a/32.png) [@doddsdiana](https://community.cartalk.com/u/doddsdiana)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2009, 5:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/11 "2009-11-24T17:51:46Z")
Car is no longer under warranty ā˜¹ It sucks b/c the dealer is such a rip off but my local mechanic canā€™t figure it out. I just received a letter from VW a few days ago saying that my car falls under a recall for bad ignition coils and they will fix THAT for free. Is there chance that this is related to my car not starting right after getting gas? In the meantime\< i will look up the EVAP purge valve. Thanks! Diana ---
**Author:** ![naconi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/898d66/32.png) [@naconi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/naconi)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2009, 12:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/12 "2009-12-02T00:51:50Z")
If your coils go bad it will run rough or not at all. So that is not the problem. My EVAP purge valve is $150 from my local dealer, I think is was around $90 online. You want to have your mechanic test the old one before you go spending that kind of cash on a new one. Let use know when you get it figured out. ---
**Author:** ![kimbojones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e274bd/32.png) [@kimbojones](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kimbojones)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/13 "2010-10-15T02:30:19Z")
Hey I am having the exact same problem with my bug. did you get this fixed and figure out what the problem was. I am going crazy and sick of dumping money into my carā€¦ Iā€™m at whits end, but i need this fixed. they replaced my cank shaft position sensor, but that is clearly not the problem PLEASE can you eamil me directly with the resolution [kimberlynorthcott@gmail.com](mailto:kimberlynorthcott@gmail.com) MUCH appreciated!!! ---
**Author:** ![feelingorangey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e8c25b/32.png) [@feelingorangey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/feelingorangey)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 12:54am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/14 "2018-08-02T00:54:13Z")
Did you figure it out? I too have an awesome 06 Jetta that takes three or four times to start but only after filling up. Thinking Iā€™ll clean my MAF Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Charity\_Howard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@Charity\_Howard](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Charity_Howard)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 9:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/15 "2019-11-11T21:55:02Z")
I am having the same issue with my golf. Every time I put gas in, no matter how much or little. Doesnā€™t matter if Iā€™ve been on a long trip or a block. I have to keep my foot revving the gas for about a minute before I can put it in drive and even then it sputters and acts all crazy before taking off. ---
**Author:** ![Amber\_Bono](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Amber\_Bono](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Amber_Bono)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 6:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/16 "2020-04-03T06:27:18Z")
My 2005 jetta does this. Is your check engine light on? Pretty sure itā€™s a bad gas cap. But until you get it fixed put gas in while the car is running. Thatā€™s what I do and it fixes the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Honda-Blackbird](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/honda-blackbird/32/3159_2.png) [@Honda-Blackbird](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Honda-Blackbird)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2020, 7:43am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/car-wont-start-after-getting-gas/38368/17 "2020-04-03T07:43:36Z")
Instead of doing what u are calling a ā€œflood clearā€ i would much rather see you KOEO the thing about 5 times before attempting to start the engine. Run vehicle, shut offā€¦ open gas gap, reinstall gas gapā€¦ get in vehcile and cycle the key 5-6x this is (KOEO) key on engine off. This will force the fuel pump to go thru several ā€œprimeā€ eventsā€¦ you will hear the fuel pump prime each time u turn key all the way on. If you do not hear itā€¦ you found the problem. Modern vehicles prime the fuel pump for 2-3 seconds prior to then running the pump constant after receiving a tach signalā€¦ Without the prime function workingā€¦ you could easily have the starting probs you describe. See whatchagots and report backā€¦ you want to hear that prime event each time key is turned all way on. Its controlled by the FPR fuel pump relay and the ecu of the Vee-Hickle Why would it start just fine before opening the gas cap? Because it has pressure in the tank helping fuel to be primed n ready to goā€¦ till u let the pressure outā€¦ now it needs the fuel pump to prime the railā€¦ It all fitsā€¦