2001 B5 1.8t Passat Never starts on first try, Always on second.

[surefooted]

Hi,

My Passat never starts on the first try, even when I hold it for a good 5 seconds. However, it starts on the second try no problem. I have even tried to turn the key to prime the fuel pump and let it sit for 10 seconds or so before trying it, and it still won't start on the first try.

Note: This is only when the car is cold or has sat for a while.

Please help me. Thanks in advance.

[mayniak]

did you check your spark plugs or coilpacks?

[IanInOhio]

Pull your starter and check the voltage on it. Think there's a DIY somewhere on here. And what the dude above said - check plugs and coil pack, make sure they're up to par. May also be a low battery? Check that too. All of this is quite easy to do. Good luck!

[Volk14]

I had a very similar problem for a while. I thought that I had a clogged fuel filter, put a new one and didn't fix anything.

The problem was the fuel pump on its way out. I drove the car with the starting issue for about 3 months until one day the car died on me.

I put a new fuel pump and everything was back to normal.

Good luck

[surefooted]

Thanks for all of the replies. I have checked the coils, plugs and starter and they are all ok. I did notice something else now. When I turn the key to prime the FP, I get nothing. I only get priming while cranking. Any more ideas? I'm hoping it's not the FP.

[IanInOhio]

May very well be the fuel pump from the sounds of it. But I'm not sure how to test / replace it, per well the whole fact it's in the fuel tank.