MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: sheff_gti on August 29, 2010, 04:40:53 pm

Title: My car has died!
Post by: sheff_gti on August 29, 2010, 04:40:53 pm: Went to unlock the car earlier with the remote and it wouldnt work, so used the key. Tried starting it and nothing happens - display shows "Airbag fault" then "Service Now" (we're booked in for a service next week!) but engine doesn't turn.
Other lights on dash all light up and a clicking noise comes from behind the dash.

Tried both sets of keys/remote - same thing. Car was fine yesterday, parked up last night all OK, and this happens today :stupid:

Any ideas? Typically we didn't take out homestart with the breakdown cover, so it's now sat on the drive going nowhere!

thanks
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: chungster on August 29, 2010, 04:47:32 pm: immobiliser still active prolly if you had to get in via key only.
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: sheff_gti on August 29, 2010, 05:08:54 pm: OK, thanks

Is there any way to deactivate it? I've tried unlocking the car with the key again, and still nothing. All lights on dash are flickering now, as tho it's a power problem?

thanks
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: Gtikenny on August 29, 2010, 05:10:39 pm: It should say immobiliser active on the dash display if it is that. could be a flat battery?
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: RedRobin on August 29, 2010, 05:11:13 pm: .
"Clicking noise" sounds like not enough battery juice. The dash disply icons are probably showing that the automatic startup checks can't be initiated (not enough juice).

Call out VW Assistance - Their RAC guys are specialists.
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: vRS Carl on August 29, 2010, 07:12:14 pm: Sounds like a battery issue.

The lights on the dash will come on if the car has lost battery power for any great length of time (about 3 hours iirc)

If you have RAC as Robin says give them a call and ask for a VW Specialist to come. :happy2:
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: bacillus on August 29, 2010, 07:25:45 pm: Yep, battery hasn't got enough juice...
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: sheff_gti on August 29, 2010, 08:20:13 pm: thanks all, going on all of your comments it's looking like the battery.
I've just checked our recovery policy and we're not covered for home start - bugger!
I'll get onto the local VW dealer tomorrow & see what they can do for us - I don't expect it'll be much before the bank holiday though!

thanks again for the advice
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: bacillus on August 29, 2010, 08:25:59 pm: If you have or can borrow a battery charger, I would try charging your battery overnight.
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: stealthwolf on August 29, 2010, 08:32:38 pm: Quote from: sheff_gti on August 29, 2010, 08:20:13 pm
I've just checked our recovery policy and we're not covered for home start - bugger!
This is why, with the RAC, I went for maximum cover (except for European cover). If you breakdown at home, they'll come and help you out. Much better than having to push your car to around half a mile distance and ringing up.

Are you able to upgrade your cover? Hope you get it sorted either way.
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: vRSAlex on August 29, 2010, 08:52:59 pm: Are you able to borrow some jump leads and just the car from another car? Shame you cant bump start DSG's :grin:

Go our for a nice drive and if its dead by the next morning then the battery is probably dead so a new one will be needed. Takes about 10 mins max to change one.
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: RedRobin on August 29, 2010, 08:53:35 pm: ^^^^
Me too, stealth :happy2:

I've got VW Assistance / RAC including Europe too. It's not expensive and they're fast to arrive and home is no problem either. The VW specialist RACers know their onions too.

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2Fb308%2FRedRobin_05%2FCoilPack_25July09.jpg&hash=41b4605243be10db031f42e027d102b3f1f1c3d2)

[^ One coilpack expired]
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: stealthwolf on August 29, 2010, 10:26:52 pm: Quote from: RedRobin on August 29, 2010, 08:53:35 pm
I've got VW Assistance / RAC too.
When I bought my car, it had VW assistance for the remainder of the year. But after it expired, I never got a renewal/reminder hence switched to RAC. Do VW-specialised RAC vehicles still come out if I brake down? Just wondering if I should have tried to renew with VW assistance this year instead of RAC.

When my fuel sensor conked out, the guy had to run the RAC version of VCDS. Don't know if he was a VW-specialist RAC guy though.
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: RedRobin on August 30, 2010, 04:10:40 pm: ^^^^
When phoning VW Assistance (RAC) I've always been asked if I want a VW specialist. Obviously I always say yes please.
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: sheff_gti on August 31, 2010, 04:39:28 pm: All sorted now thanks - put the battery on charge yesterday afternoon and left it on overnight - started ok this morning, no more warning lights showing, and even the stereo is working :happy2:

thanks for all your advice. We're now looking at different recovery policies, cos we're about to get a VW T2 Camper so will likely need homestart for that!

cheers
Title: Re: My car has died!
Post by: VWKD on August 31, 2010, 09:48:21 pm: If you're gonna get a T2 you'll wanna check out my forum vwkd.com shameless plug :laugh:

Glad you sorted your car, you should take it somewhere and get the battery checked out and check to see if there is any draw on the battery as It's strange it should dump Its charge for no reason.