The Passat is a family car that has been manufactured by German automaker Volkswagen since 1973. The Passat was Volkswagen's response to declining sales of the Beetle. If you own a Passat and it is having starting issues, you can troubleshoot and possibly do the repair yourself before taking it to a professional, saving you money and time in the process.
Turn your key in the ignition to the "On" position but do not crank the engine. If the interior lights or the instrument gauge comes on, the battery is in working order. If no lights come on, the battery may be drained or dead. Charge the battery by attaching jumper cables to it or you may have to have the battery replaced.
Turn the key in the ignition to start the vehicle. If you hear a clicking noise, the starter may no longer be working. Raise the front end of the Passat with a jack positioned on a jacking point to access the starter. Remove the cables from the battery with a wrench so that the car will not start while you work on it. The starter is in the engine compartment behind the battery with electrical connections running to it. Remove all the connections by pulling them out then unscrew the mount. Pull out the starter. Install a new starter in its place then reattach all the screws, bolts and electrical connections. Remove the jack from under the Passat and lower it to the ground.
Crank the engine and note if there is a shaking or jerking motion before it dies. If this happens, there is likely a problem with the fuel pump or perhaps even the fuel itself. Siphon out the fuel and replace it. If this does not resolve the issue, the fuel pump may need to be replaced. Replacing the fuel pump in the Passat requires removing much of the fuel system and should be done by a professional.
