2002 diesel beetle won't start
 

I have a 2002 diesel beetle that won't start. It sounds like it's going to start (the engine actually catches for a second) and then it halts. I took it to my mechanic but he can't understand what's wrong with it.
Any ideas?

Thanks in Advance
Lisa M. Stewart

This "mechanic" didn't do much diagnosis on your car. My first guess would be something in the fuel system. When you turn the ignition on you should here a humming noise coming from the back. That's the fuel pump starting up. If you don't hear that, check these in the following order, fuse, relay, fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator. If the fuse and relay are good then the fuel pump is out. If the fuel pump is fine the regulator might be messed up. If it's not the regulator there's something wrong with the injectors/ignition system.