car question

[youcansingalong]

about a week ago, i went to start up my 1999 VW beetle and it wouldn't start

Comments

[openthedoe]

tdi? probably the starter.

[youcansingalong]

not a tdi. 2.0 engine, i believe.

[chapel976]

when you turn the key, what does it do?
do you hear a click? does it crank and not start?

try disconnecting the battery terminals, clean them, pop them back on and see what happens.

If you hear a SINGLE click, it might be the starter.
if it cranks and doesn't start, that's different.

Can you push start it (if it's a 5 speed)?

[youcansingalong]

Can't push start.

When I turn the key, I believe it's just a single click. It doesn't even crank. I'm having it towed to a place where my dad has some pull. Once they diagnose it, I'll let you all know what's going on with my baby.

Thank you for all your help, too!

[chapel976]

Can't push start because it's an auto or it won't start when you push start it?

sounds like the starter motor if it clicks just once
However, it could also be a loose wire going to the starter or a bad ground.

I'm dealing with this exact same issue. I replaced my battery and my starter motor... it's still doing it. I wiggled the wire on the positive terminal that went to the starter and it started. I just ordered new battery/starter cables.

[youcansingalong]

It's an auto, sadly.

I'll let you know if it's the same deal. If so, maybe we can prevent it from happening to our cars again in the future somehow. XD