Hello there. My girlfriend has a 2003 beetle that is not staying started. When you turn the key it catches but nothing happens when you touch the gas, it shuts right off. We brought it to a "specialized dealer" who claims it MAY have something to do with the "immobilizer." Can anyone out there in the land of VW offer any advice? Thanks.

 

Immobilizer.......Sentry Key.....And a bunch of other names
for it. Its the same thing as my Sentry Key system, it's
for antitheft. once it's been activated in most cases you
go to the dealer to get it unactivated. In all the cases I've
known of they use a special dealer only computer thing
and hook it up and reprogram the system.

 

Forgot to say........it can be activated several ways.
1. some one could have tried to steal it.
2. Aftermarket key that will turn the switch and doesn't
have the correct computer code.
3. Anything can go wrong with a computer.

 

The immobilizer system works like this: The key has a code it transmits to the security system. This then looks for the security code from the ECU and the PCM. If ANY of these codes don't match the immobilizer's codes, it'll shut down the system and not allow the vehicle to start.

If the car starts at all then I don't think it sounds like an immobilizer problem. But if it actually IS the immobilizer, you WILL need to take it to a dealership and have them reset the system. The dealerships hook it up to a computer and the whole process takes between 15 and 45 minutes. The local shops cannot get this software due to security reasons (untrustworthy shops and whatnot that might be involved in shady business).

 

The immobilizer when activated..... will let the engine
start, but it will shut down, start and shut down over and
over. Like I said go to the dealer with the car and get
it unactivated.