my car shut off while i was driving and it wont turn back on

What is your question?

i drive a 2013 volkswagen passat tdi se. while i was cruising down the road, i was pressing on the gas and no power was coming through. i look at the dashboard and the battery light came on. i pulled over to a parking lot. i turn off the car and try to restart it. nothing happens. i cant turn the engine on, but everything inside the car turns on. i hook up a battery charger to the battery, and the engine turns over once, but it doesnt turn on. this has only happened once and my car hasnt turned on since.

What makes this problem better or worse?

nothing

How long has your 2013 Volkswagen Passat had this problem?

once

Visitor

Apr 4, 2025

1 Reply

Popular Answer

DaveJMon Apr 5, 2025

Hello, Dave here, contributing to RepairPal and providing expert advice since 2010. If your battery light comes on while driving, it indicates the charging system is not charging the battery. I would first check to see if the drive belt is attached and turning the alternator. If the belt is missing, you'll need to figure out why - did the belt fracture? Is a pulley frozen or very loose? If the belt is installed and intact, you'll want to check the charging system for output in voltage and amperage. I would suspect an issue there. This engine has a timing belt - has it been changed by now? A broken timing belt will cause a stall and prevent the engine from starting. Lots off areas to check out. Reach out to a shop near you for guidance -- https://repairpal.com/auto-repair-near-me Click the link or call us at 877-913-1554. We'll gladly find you a certified RepairPal shop in your area.

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