I wanted to drive the G to work tomorrow, so had to take the car out the garage and park it on the drive. Anyway, parked in on the drive and then then the car was spluttering and the battery light was flickering away. Then, without me doing anything, the engine cut out. I turned the car back on, it seemed to idle ok for a few seconds, then the spluttering came back, battery light flickering away and engine died again??

Does this mean the battery needs to replaced or is this something else? I'm just glad it happened when it was still on the drive and not when i was on the motorway

Any ideas please, as I really want the G40 back on the road :(

It's standard isn't it?

How often do you drive it? May just be an old battery not holding charge too well and using most of the juice to turn the starter motor.

Try giving it a bit of light throttle on the driveway for a minute or two, similar to what you would do when driving when the engine is cold.

Yea the battery does sound a bit suspicious. Like above, try giving it some gas to get the car running and to attempt to suffieciently charge the battery. It could be due to an old battery (check the alternator output if you can get the car to run!) If no luck then whip the plugs out and check them for moisture as this could affect ignition on start up from cold.

Hope this helps!!

It's standard isn't it?

How often do you drive it? May just be an old battery not holding charge too well and using most of the juice to turn the starter motor.

Try giving it a bit of light throttle on the driveway for a minute or two, similar to what you would do when driving when the engine is cold.

As far as I know it is standard, yes. However, there always have been a slight splutter each time I start it since I bought it. But, after a good warm up it seems to slight better. Dodgy idling.

I did leave it in the garage for just over a month, not being used until two days ago when I drove it round to a mates house to have the indicator and steering fixed. Apart from the startup splutter, the car drove fine. I used the car again the following day and it was fine. Then today this happens :(

The battery light could be a red herring tbh. If the engine is struggling to run then the alternator won't be charging properly and the battery light will come on. A symptom not a cause. As InsightG40 says, try holding the revs for a bit to see if it clears.

Cheers guys. I will try it over the weekend, as I have put the car back into the garage. If this is a major problem, then I will get a quote from VW to get it looked into. If they charge me silly money, then there will be another G40 for sale in the classifieds :(

I'm sure it will be a cheap fix if you have a mutimeter at hand you could check it. your battery should be about 12.5v and with the engine running it should be about 13/14v.

also check the connections

try a different battery or leave it on a proper mains charger overnight if its flat

if car runs okay for a while.. and starts playing up it'l not be charging

and if that happens, i bet you can blame a broken earth strap from engine to the chassis (left front of engine bay... from the charger to near engine mount)

try a different battery or leave it on a proper mains charger overnight if its flat

if car runs okay for a while.. and starts playing up it'l not be charging

and if that happens, i bet you can blame a broken earth strap from engine to the chassis (left front of engine bay... from the charger to near engine mount)

I will probably just go halfords and pick up a new battery. The one in the car now was from GSF.

I'd rather get a Bosch silver from GSF than a halfords one, will be cheaper too.

I'd rather get a Bosch silver from GSF than a halfords one, will be cheaper too.

Oh right, nice one! I will make a trip to my local GSF.

Have you had a chance to check the voltages across the battery before going to buy a new one?

Have you had a chance to check the voltages across the battery before going to buy a new one?

Unfortunately not, as I dont have the equipment to do so. But, for my peace of mind, I will change it. Thats what I have done with other parts of the car.

If you can't be arsed to dig out your multimeter take it to KwikFit and they will check your battery and alternator for free.

interesting read this! I have the car now and its doing the same thing! I'll change the battery AND alternator to see if it stops!