Problems starting 2005 GL

[Jinjer]

I've had Bugsy for almost 3 weeks and have just encountered his first problem.

I took him down to Palm Springs and it was a great ride down there. He was sailing past every other car on I-10 doing 80-85mph.

He did fine the first day we were down there.

Second day, took him for a spin around Noon. He made 3 quick, short stops and then on the 4th stop he had a bit of a problem starting.

5th stop he had a bigger problem starting and the warning indicator came on for the passenger air bag.

6th stop was at a Circle K and refused to start at all. I tried several times. There was the sound of him trying to start and his trip counter, clock, and temperature all reset themselves. But he would not stop.

I called AAA and they said someone would be out to check the battery in about 45 minutes.

I waited 30 minutes and tried him again and he started right up.

I canceled AAA and got him home without further problems.

I had no problems starting him this morning.

The temperature in the desert was, according to Bugsy, 116.

Do you think that was the problem? The heat? And several short trips?

By short trips I mean, REALLY short trips. Stopped for gas, went next door to the post office, went down the block, took a picture, moved him a few feet down, took a picture, went to another block...that kind of short trip.

Thanks!

Jinjer

[BEARJAM]

Hmm, that should not have caused those problems. A battery won't usually go bad that fast...usually you will have a few weeks of warning signs. I would still get it checked out even though it is fine now. You don't want to get stuck somewhere when it is least convenient. Good luck. Let us know how you make out.

[Luke]

Jinger, your description sounds strangely familar.

Casey, what do you think it could be? A fuel filter?

I'm not sure, just a suggestion; heat and engine problems? See if the problem stops once you are out of the heat.

Once your trouble light (aka CEL light or check engine light) is on, there should be a code stored in the bugs computer. Unfortunately, the dealers will charge you about $100 to run your NB through their OBD (on board diognostics) machine. It seems to find the problem with a great deal of detail; they have always found my CEL problems.

Mike Levy has a vag com set up that might give you a better idea of the problems origin.

[mygreenbug]

Luke: you totally read my mind, that is exactly what I thought at first too

Jinjer: On the way to Roswell Fiona stalled out twice then was okay once the outside temperature was lower than 100 degrees, the next day she kept losing power and kicking back up every couple of minutes, the on Thursday she lost power and kicked back up and also stalled out in the middle of Main St. Roswell

All of this happened when temperatures exceeded 100 degrees, although I didn't have a problem starting after sitting for a while, I would check out the fuel filter first, I just asked a buddy of mine to call me so I can explain this to him and see what he thinks

Is your CEL on?? Mine was not, the fuel filter was completely clogged

[mygreenbug]

Well, I just talked to Danny, he says it's the fuel filter and the problem sounds very familiar and he knew my problem right away first guess, just like Luke and I thought ;)

Jinjer, get the fuel filter checked out first, that is most likely your problem

[Jinjer]

Thanks everyone! I have not had this problem at all since I got the heck out of that hot desert. Of course it's been VERY cool here in L.A. so...

When it happened I couldn't believe it because I had been having that problem with my 92 Honda Civic every summer for the past 3 or 4 years. On really hot days I had to wait 5 minutes before re-starting my car, every time I turned it off. I was so happy that now I had a new(er) car and that would never happen again!!! So, imagine my shock and how upset I was when it DID happen again with a car that's only 4 years old!!!! Ugh!!!

So, right now everything is fine, but if it does happen again I'll definitely have the fuel filter checked. I had my mechanic go over the car thoroughly when I bought it since it's a previously owned car. Surely he checked the fuel filter at that time, but maybe not.

Anyway, a week after the incident, so far so good.

[Jinjer]

P.S. With the Honda, after much searching online, I discovered that was a typical problem with 92 Honda Civics. Everyone said the computer would get hot and have to sit in order to re-set itself. And they were right. It was always exactly 5 minutes that it had to sit. If I tried to cheat and wait only 4 minutes, it wouldn't start. 4 1/2 minutes? Wouldn't start. Had to be 5.

Oh and someone asked if any lights came on in the Beetle. No. I did not have any warning lights. But on one of the times when I had trouble starting it, the passenger air bag warning light came on and the clock and temperature displays went crazy and said it was 130 degrees out. After it sat for 30 minutes and I got it started and headed for home all the lights went away and the temperature reset itself.

I was mad because the trip counter reset itself to zero and I had wanted to track how many miles I went on that trip.

[mygreenbug]

Yea the fuel filter isn't somethin they usually look at, my mechanic didn't look at Fiona's filter before we went to Roswell and she acted up the very first day of the carabug out, it was extremely frustrating, I am glad Bugsy is fine now, just be careful with that.

It's really scary when your on the freeway and 18wheelers are honking at you because you keep slowing down and they don't realize it's not your fault, the fuel filter should be no more than $40 and if you can get someone to put it in that's even better, it's really easy to do

[bella Sera]

This heat here can mess any car up and we go through car batteries like socks.

Wish I would have known you were here, I would have loved to meet up for a drive. :):eatdrink047: