passat only starts when it feels like it

i have '00 passat saloon se 1.8 manual 55k
completly at random the car will fail to start, the starter seems to be turning at the normal speed but there is no kick from the engine

I just have to persist and eventually it will fire up
car was serviced a few months ago and got new tatinium plugs

any help very much apprecited

thank you

Martin

I have what seems like the same problem in my '98 1.8T. Intermittently won't turn over, about 1 out of 10 starts. The others fire up normally. If left for a while it will then turn over. This problem existed before and is still there after a major job recovering from a timing belt disaster.

Anyone seen this, mechanics don't know what's up, it doesn't reproduce easily.

replace the fuel filter recently?

i am having the same problem and yes i recently replaced my feul filter what does this mean?

i'm having the same problem with my 03 automatic passat. been in and out of the shop. replaced battery, alternator and starter and it still doesn't start sometimes and vw can't find anything wrong. help!

it was the plugs on mine

Ignition coil replacement should do the trick.

Heres what you should check in this order if you had a timing belt disaster -

Compression
Ignition
Fuel
Sensors / Emissions

I would drop a compression test on all of your cylinders and make sure you have good compression. This just tells you that your engine is basically sound. Good peace of mind.

I would then check for spark across all cylinders. If you have good consistant spark I would proceed to the fuel system. Turn the key on and make sure that your fuel pump primes every time you turn the ignition to on. You should hear it humming in the tank. I would also put a fuel pressure guage on the fuel rail and check your pressures to see if they remain consistant. You can also run some injector cleaner thru your fuel rail while doing this to make sure your injectors are clean while your at it (doesnt sound like the problem, but what the heck).

Check all of your vacuum lines and hoses and make sure they are not kinked, cracked, or broken. I would also have the diagonostic codes pulled from your computer to see what that says. Just my 2 cents worth.

To the person talking about new alt batt and starter - I take it your engine didn't turn over when you tried to start.

Most likely the ignition switch - known issue fails to send ind signal (exciter wire) to starter solenoid.

If it fails to start but cranks OK and intermittant - a common issue is the crankshaft sensor on these vehicles usually sited behind the oil filter housing. Will probably start if you tap it with a screwdriver handle whilst cranking over.

look for double grey wiring connector under the coolant header tank (crankshaft wiring).

check these wires for voltage - if you have either 5 or 12 volts here on 2 of the wires you have a hall chip sensor where the middle wire will be earthed when the engine moves. DO NOT do a resistance check on the hall chip type.

If it has 1.5 - 3 volts probably the inductive AC voltage type - check for an AC voltage on pins 1 & 2 when disconnected - also can do resistance check sorry dont know what reading should be .