Help! '03 Passat cold start problem

[functional]

I ran into this same problem last week during a cold snap in Seattle. Just one more niggling issue with my first and last Volkswagen.

Anyway, the workaround for me was to just hold the key in the "Start" position until the starter finally turned over. Sometimes it took upwards of 30 seconds for the ignition to make the connection, but it's worked every time so far.

Note that, just like folks mentioned above, all the dash lights, car lights, etc appear to work fine. Turning the key to "Start" -- nothing. Nothing except an infrequent "click". Eventually the "click" makes a connection and you're good to go.

Hope this helps.

[Disher]

YES! Gotta love "That Internet" as my wife calls it.

Same exact problem described above with our 99 Passat. We live just outside St Louis and we have had MAJOR temp swings lately. Was in the high 40's yesterday and today was in the single digits.

Went out to start the car for Wifey this morning and...

"click, click, click..." No dice.

All lights work, jumping did nothing.

Did exactly as described above. Held key on for almost 1 min and then...!

Nothing.

But the very next try and our silver bullet fired right up!

YES! NO VW DEALER MONEY PIT!

Something tells me that high humidity combined with massive temp swings plays a part in the problem. Oh Well.

Problem fixed!

[drrich]

So here it is 2013, and I have the same problem. I'm in minnesota bought the 2003 passat last year. was great until the temp dropped and it wouldn't start exact same thing, battery looked good. when i turn the key it makes the same click. Ill try the "holding it in start for 30-60 sec" hope it works. Any other thoughts?