Car failed to start

[JamesR27]

Evening all,

I am after some advise. I was on my way home early miles from home and called into get some fuel. Stopped filled up fine but when I got back in the car it would not start when pressing the button nothing happened.

Got everyone out the car and tried to lock the car but would not even lock. Tried putting the key in the middle compartment to over ride the start but still nothing. Then tried locking the car with key which worked but then could not open it on the fob.

After trying for another 10 mins, gave up and walked away to phone breakdown as the car was stuck at the pump and could not move it. By the time I got through and sorted out details etc walked back to the car it opened and started straight away.

Just wondering has anybody had anything similar and if so
A. Is there a way to get the car into neutral?
B. Is there anything I can do to reset the key to car signal?

as seems leaving it time/walking away to make the phone call the car sorted itself.

[TonyTorque]

With keyless start, the most common cause of this is a weak key fob battery, so that is the cheapest first thing to change. Most VW handbooks describe an emergency start where you hold the key against a marked spot on the steering column or near the start button, which is worth trying next time. Strong radio interference can also block the key signal, for example near some fuel stations or with a phone and other cards right next to the key. If it keeps happening with a new battery, I would ask the dealer to read the fault memory for the keyless module.

[JamesR27]

Thanks

I have changed the battery in the fob today now I am back home. Scanned the car this morning and did get a few errors at the time I was filling up which were communication errors, so also cleared them.

Will see how it goes as fingers crossed as done 8 starts today and no issues.

[SRGTD]

Thanks

I have changed the battery in the fob today now I am back home. Scanned the car this morning and did get a few errors at the time I was filling up which were communication errors, so also cleared them.

Will see how it goes as fingers crossed as done 8 starts today and no issues.

As a matter of interest, how old was the key fob battery that you’ve just replaced and prior to replacing it had you been getting a message on the instrument cluster warning that it was getting low?

[JamesR27]

SRGTD the car was bought new July 2025 and I have the car setup to only unlock/unlock from the button old style. So the battery was about a 1 and half years old.

No messages about low key battery or anything and the car eventually started again on the original battery.