My daughters cabrio began not starting randomly a couple of weeks ago. She is away at school so by the time I made it to her it would not start at all. Not being a mechanic I started with the basics. Tried to jump start, tested battery. Checked battery posts and connections. The battery appeared fine so I tapped on the starter and it turned over. Tapped a few more times and it started. So not a huge deal, limped it home and changed out the starter. The car started once (roughly) and now will not start again. My mechanic looked at it and was honest enough to tell me that although he thought it was the ignition switch he could not say for sure and that he didn't want me to throw money at parts to find out that it was not the fix. He referred me to the dealer who will do a diagnostic for about $200.
The car rolls off to start fine. But will not turn over. I've tested the clutch switch but I cannot locate a diagram for relays and I am looking for a relay associated with the clutch switch or a starter relay. I cannot find anything online and the dealer told me that they just don't hand those out. I called VW customer service and they referred me to two sights where I could buy it. Wow for a relay diagram so frustrated. Anyone have any insight on this or a diagram?

 

Welcome to the forum.

Your mechanic needs to check the starting system out. The starter motor relay probably has a 381 number on it. But we need more details about this motor.

https://volkswagenforum.com/forum/ne...gnature-34185/

 

I checked but I dont have a 381 relay. I have the manual that comes with the car but I don't have a sticker for the engine code check the timing belt cover and the sticker is there but unreadable. The sticker that should be in the trunk is missing as well. Striking out everywhere. The engine is a 2.0 liter w/ 5- speed manual transmission this is a 2002 year model. I have a pic of the relay board new here and trying to figure out how to post

 

Btw thanks for your response

 

Switched out the ignition switch and it fired right up. Thanks Keithuk