Had a really weird experience with it Saturday.

Took it to the gas station to refuel and when I went to leave, the Rabbit wouldn't start. It was acting like it had a dead battery. Clock, lights, etc. would work until you turned the key and then everything went dead. Under the hood, I could tell that the wire was a little loose on the starter, I tried to tighten by hand but it made no difference. I got one of the gas station guys to help push me off so I could roll start it, but after three attempts, the engine still would not start.

Finally just had to call AAA. He showed up in less than 5 minutes, which was amazing! We started to get it towed but he said he had a battery booster, so we gave it a try...the car fired right up. I told him I would drive it home and he said it wouldn't count as using my AAA service since it started.

Back at home, I started investigating deeper. The wire to the starter was loose, yes, so I tightened that up but it made no difference, the car still wouldn't start. So I looked at the positive terminal on the battery. Although it felt tight when I checked it with my hand, I put a wrench on and tightened it up quite a bit. Then the car started immediately.

I can understand that if the battery terminal was a little loose, it wouldn't allow enough current to flow to start the car. But what I can't figure out is why I wasn't able to start it by popping the clutch. The engine was warm enough from driving that the glow plugs were not needed. I'm not sure how having a loose battery connection would keep it from roll starting!

I know that a little bit of mystery can occur between a slightly loose cable and the post. I think the slight gap can cause an arc and that creates corrosion. Corrosion acts as an insulator and eventually it zaps up all the power. The tight connection creates a lot of surface area and keeps the gap jumpin from happening.

As for the "why no push start," I have no idea

I posed the same question on FunDubs and the theory there was the same. Probably an electric fuel shutoff solenoid that wasn't getting power, after all in a diesel how else would you stop the engine when you turn off the key? Unlike a gas engine you can't simply cut off the spark, so stopping fuel delivery would be the only way.

I know about as much about VW diesel engines as I do Saturn 5 rocket engines, but . . . isn't there an electric "lift pump" in the tank that delivers the fuel to the diesel pump?

As far as I know the mechanical injection pump does all three. Fuel pump, timing, and injection. TDIs are a whole 'nother animal of course.

This little Rabbit has been great though. It's slow of course but for trips around town, you can't beat the fuel economy. Plus it's a lot of fun to putt around in.

I've driven it to Helen twice. That's probably the longest trip it's been on. I gotta say it seems like it gets better mileage in town than it does on the highway. Slightly, buy still noticeable.

I wished they had built a little wagon.

You are in luck!!

It is undeniably a wagon!! Don't worry, I wouldn't give my Rabbit up for anything.

he looks so happy that VW made a wagon


 

Thought wagons had tongues. I guess on Dashers they are called "tow bars " I am happy because I just sold it to KC.