VW Starts Then Shuts Off – What Can Be the Problem?

Your VW starts and immediately shuts off because of the immobilizer failure, key code lost, no fuel in the tank, or electrical issues. There may be some other problems like a damaged engine, bad transmission, or a rare glitch in the control units. But those are rather exotic and will not happen often to German vehicles.

Engine stalling issues highlights

• Level of urgency:High
• Can you drive?Obviously, no
• DIY inspection:Possible but very complicated
• DIY repair:Impossible
• Price for repair:$350 - $900
• Common Reasons:Fuel or air supply problems, immobilizer
• Ways to fix:Professional inspection is needed, checkif there is fuel in the tank

What symptoms can help you identify the problem?

Before I list the common problems that can cause this issue, I want to show you what you need to do once you spot this problem.

So, in the article, I will be telling you about the issue when your Volkswagen stalls 1-2 seconds after you start it. You may start it 50 times and it will act like before - stall immediately.

It means that everything is OK with the ignition system and the engine because it actually starts. Also, the battery should be fine because it cranks the engine and allows you to start it.

Here are the symptoms that may be the keys to solving the problem:

• Is the cranking sound always the same or changing every other time you are trying to start the engine?

The slow cranking may tell you about the issues with the battery and alternator.

• When your engine starts, how much time does it work before shutting off?

If it works for just several seconds, chances are you are dealing with the immobilizer glitch. If it shuts off when you put the transmission in D, the problem may be with the tranny.

• Are there any error messages before you start the engine?

If you see any error messages, don't ignore them, they should be helpful in identifying the actual reason for this problem.

• What happened before this problem appeared?

Was there any repair, or battery change? Or maybe your Volkswagen has been sitting for quite a long time and the engine wasn't even started for months.

Registering all these symptoms and answering all those questions is important. This may help you understand the nature of the problem on your own or at least let your mechanic inspect the car much faster and easier. So, this will save you time and sometimes even money.

What are the common reasons for your VW shutting off after starting?

Now, let's see which problems can lead to such consequences. Unfortunately, it's very hard to say directly what's wrong with your car without seeing it. So, I've prepared a list of the most common problems that can make the engine in the VW shut off right after start.

Here they are:

1. The key lost its code

This may happen with older cars that don't have the keyless engine start function. Each Volkswagen key has a chip that is coded to communicate with the car's immobilizer. If the battery in this key is dead and you replace it, very often, the code may reset. Then, the key will not communicate with the car's anti-theft system and the engine will shut down after start.

This is the work of your immobilizer that is aimed to prevent the car from being stolen. The obvious way to solve the problem is to go to the dealership or locksmith and reprogram the key. But they will take quite a lot of money from you - $150 and even possibly more. So, later in this article, I will tell you how to solve it on your own with no costs at all!

2. The battery is low

Usually, this problem comes with the broken alternator. The battery was drained because the alternator was bad. Now, when you start the car, it still starts on the remaining charge of the battery, but then the alternator doesn't kick in when it should and the system just doesn't have enough electrical power to work.

This results in your vehicle shutting off. You will be able to start the engine several times and then the dead battery will just not have the needed power in it to crank the machine. In this case, you will need to recharge or replace the battery. But it's very important to check if the alternator is OK.

3. Software glitch

I wouldn't say that this is very common for Volkswagen cats, but the immobilizer and anti-theft system may develop some glitches. If it thinks that the car is being stolen, it will cut the fuel supply immediately and the engine will shut off. Also, there will be no codes, no error messages, no warning lights, etc.

To solve this problem, you may try to disconnect the battery for several minutes and then try starting the car again.

4. No fuel in the tank

If your fuel gauge has developed a problem and now shows an incorrect amount of fuel in the tank, you may easily get caught. You see that the needle shows half a tank and you don't even think that the readings of this gauge may not be true.

So, the remaining fuel will be enough to start the car, but then, when your car needs proper fuel pressure to keep working, it experiences a lack of fuel and just shuts off. To avoid this problem, pour a gallon of fuel into the tank. This way, you will certainly know that this is not the issue.

5. Fuel pump problems

Again, there can be a fuel pressure problem and one more thing that can cause it is a broken fuel pump. It may still be functioning a little so you will get the fuel to start the car. But after that, the pump will die and the engine will die right away.

This is especially common for direct-injection cars that have two fuel pumps. The low-pressure pump in the tank may still be working and sending enough gas to start the car. But the high-pressure pump may malfunction and the engine will stall immediately after it's started.

6. Instrument cluster issues

In older vehicles, the immobilizer was part of the instrument cluster and when something was wrong with the cluster, it just failed to work well. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do but replace the cluster with the new one and have it programmed. This is certainly not a DIY job, so let professionals do this for you after inspecting your car.

How can you solve the problem on your own?

I've already given several ideas. You may add some fuel to the fuel tank to make sure it's not because of the lack of gas. Also, you may disconnect the battery for 5 minutes and reset the immobilizer and other electronic modules.

First of all, replace the battery in the key fob if you haven't done it for a long time. Secondly, do the following:

• disconnect the negative terminal on the battery, then disconnect the positive one;
• press the honk to drain all the remaining power from the system;
• take the second key also to check if the problem is with it;
• reconnect the battery after several minutes and try starting the car with the first key;
• if it doesn't start, do it with the second key;
• if nothing works, you are out of DIY methods and need professional help.

What can professional mechanics do?

First of all, mechanics will inspect the car with the scanners and see which modules are faulty. This will help them get much closer to the problem than you can without having the inspection tools and proper expertise.

After understanding what's wrong with your Volkswagen, a professional mechanic will offer proper solutions for the problem. Unfortunately, some solutions may be pretty expensive. If it's not about just coding a key or replacing a blown fuse, the parts, and labor may cost you a fortune.

But still, you have little to no choice and need to pay to solve the problem. There is no way you can start your car without replacing or at least reprogramming the part that is malfunctioning.

We've also written the article about the central warning light in VW (triangle with exclamation mark) - you may want to have a look.

Final thoughts

Although the symptom of shutting off right after start is pretty common for Volkswagen vehicles, you may see that there are more than a dozen possible problems that trigger this symptom. In some cases, the issue is with the fuel pressure while in other situations, you will need to replace the instrument cluster along with the immobilizer module and have it reprogrammed.

While some solutions are pretty cheap and are good for DIY fixes, other problems require professional help. If you can't locate the actual problem that makes your VW engine stall after you start it, just go to the professionals and ask for help. This will save you time.