Your Volkswagen Won’t Turn Off? Here’s Why!

As a Volkswagen technician, I understand the frustration and inconvenience that can come with a vehicle that won’t turn off. This guide will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue. The steps outlined in this guide are designed to be completed by someone with basic automotive knowledge. However, if you are not comfortable working on your vehicle, it is always best to have a qualified technician take a look.

Why My Volkswagen Wont Turn Off

Dead battery

The battery may be too weak to power the car’s electrical system, including the ignition.
Try jumping the battery or having it tested.

Faulty ignition switch

The ignition switch may be stuck in the on position, preventing the car from turning off.
Try turning the key to the off position and then back to the accessory position. If the car still won’t turn off, you may need to replace the ignition switch.

Faulty starter

The starter may be stuck in the engaged position, preventing the car from turning off.
Try turning the key to the off position and then back to the accessory position. If the car still won’t turn off, you may need to replace the starter.

Faulty fuel pump

The fuel pump may be stuck in the on position, preventing the car from turning off.
Try turning the key to the off position and then back to the accessory position. If the car still won’t turn off, you may need to replace the fuel pump.

Faulty engine control module ECM

The ECM may be sending a signal to the ignition system to keep the car running.
Try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes to reset the ECM. If the car still won’t turn off, you may need to have the ECM repaired or replaced.

How to Troubleshoot: My Volkswagen Won’t Turn Off

What to Do If Your Volkswagen Won’t Turn Off

If your Volkswagen won’t turn off, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem. First, try turning the key to the Off position and then back to the Run position. If the engine still doesn’t turn off, try turning the key to the Acc position and then back to the Run position. If the engine still doesn’t turn off, you may need to have the vehicle towed to a Volkswagen dealer or repair shop.

Possible Causes of a Volkswagen That Won’t Turn Off

There are a number of possible causes for a Volkswagen that won’t turn off. Some of the most common causes include:

A faulty ignition switch
A faulty starter motor
A faulty alternator
A faulty battery
A faulty fuel pump
A faulty fuel injector
A faulty engine control module

How to Fix a Volkswagen That Won’t Turn Off

If you can identify the cause of the problem, you may be able to fix it yourself. However, if you are not sure what the problem is, it is best to have the vehicle towed to a Volkswagen dealer or repair shop.

Troubleshooting a Faulty Ignition Switch

To troubleshoot a faulty ignition switch, you will need to:

1. Turn the key to the Off position.
2. Remove the ignition switch cover.
3. Disconnect the wiring harness connector from the ignition switch.
4. Use a multimeter to test the resistance between the terminals of the ignition switch.
5. If the resistance is not within the specified range, the ignition switch is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Troubleshooting a Faulty Starter Motor

To troubleshoot a faulty starter motor, you will need to:

1. Remove the starter motor from the vehicle.
2. Connect a jumper wire between the positive terminal of the battery and the starter motor solenoid.
3. Turn the key to the Start position.
4. If the starter motor does not engage, the starter motor is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Troubleshooting a Faulty Alternator

To troubleshoot a faulty alternator, you will need to:

1. Connect a voltmeter to the battery terminals.
2. Start the engine and let it run at idle.
3. The voltmeter should read between 13.5 and 14.5 volts.
4. If the voltmeter reading is below 13.5 volts, the alternator is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Troubleshooting a Faulty Battery

To troubleshoot a faulty battery, you will need to:

1. Use a voltmeter to test the battery voltage.
2. The battery voltage should be between 12.6 and 12.8 volts when the engine is off.
3. The battery voltage should increase to between 13.5 and 14.5 volts when the engine is running.
4. If the battery voltage is below 12.6 volts when the engine is off, or if the battery voltage does not increase when the engine is running, the battery is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Troubleshooting a Faulty Fuel Pump

To troubleshoot a faulty fuel pump, you will need to:

1. Turn the key to the On position.
2. Listen for the fuel pump prime.
3. If you do not hear the fuel pump prime, the fuel pump is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Troubleshooting a Faulty Fuel Injector

To troubleshoot a faulty fuel injector, you will need to:

1. Remove the fuel injector from the engine.
2. Connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail.
3. Start the engine and let it run at idle.
4. The fuel pressure should be between 35 and 45 psi.
5. If the fuel pressure is below 35 psi, the fuel injector is faulty and will need to be replaced.

Troubleshooting a Faulty Engine Control Module

To troubleshoot a faulty engine control module, you will need to:

1. Connect a diagnostic scanner to the vehicle.
2. Scan the vehicle for codes.
3. If there are any codes, look up the codes in the service manual.

FAQs: My Volkswagen Won’t Turn Off

Why won’t my Volkswagen turn off?

There are a few possible reasons why your Volkswagen won’t turn off. Here are some of the most common:

The key fob battery is dead: If the key fob battery is dead, the car may not recognize the key and will not turn off. To fix this, replace the key fob battery.

The ignition switch is stuck: The ignition switch is a mechanical switch that connects the battery to the starter. If the ignition switch is stuck, it may not be able to turn off the car. To fix this, you will need to have the ignition switch repaired or replaced.

The engine is flooded: If the engine is flooded, it may not be able to turn off because the fuel is not being properly ignited. To fix this, you will need to have the engine drained and the fuel system flushed.

The fuel pump is not working: If the fuel pump is not working, it may not be able to supply fuel to the engine, which will prevent the engine from turning off. To fix this, you will need to have the fuel pump replaced.

The engine control module (ECM) is malfunctioning: The ECM is the computer that controls the engine. If the ECM is malfunctioning, it may not be able to properly control the engine, which could prevent the engine from turning off. To fix this, you will need to have the ECM repaired or replaced.

What should I do if my Volkswagen won’t turn off?

If your Volkswagen won’t turn off, there are a few things you can do:

1. Try turning the key off and on again: This may reset the system and allow the car to turn off.
2. Press the brake pedal and try turning the key off again: This may also reset the system and allow the car to turn off.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ACC position and then back to the OFF position: This may also reset the system and allow the car to turn off.
4. If the car still won’t turn off, you will need to have it towed to a dealership or repair shop:

How can I prevent my Volkswagen from not turning off?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your Volkswagen from not turning off:

Make sure the key fob battery is in good condition: A dead key fob battery can prevent the car from recognizing the key and turning off.

Be careful not to flood the engine: Flooding the engine can cause it to not turn off.

Make sure the fuel pump is working properly: A malfunctioning fuel pump can prevent the engine from turning off.

Have the ECM regularly serviced: A malfunctioning ECM can prevent the engine from turning off.

What are the risks of driving a Volkswagen that won’t turn off?

There are a few risks associated with driving a Volkswagen that won’t turn off:

You could run out of gas: If the car is not able to turn off, you could run out of gas and be stranded.

You could damage the engine: If the engine is not able to turn off, it could overheat and damage the engine.

You could be involved in an accident: If the car is not able to turn off, you could lose control of the car and be involved in an accident.

If your Volkswagen won’t turn off, you should have it towed to a dealership or repair shop as soon as possible.

Also Read: Volkswagen Atlas Interior Lights Wont Turn Off