Car won't start. Just clicks. Sometimes it gets stuck cranking and won't start. Over the past few months, it seems after the car was used a while and it's still hot, maybe we run into a store for 20 minutes, and when we get back to the car, it won't start. It clicks. Also sometimes first thing in the morning, it clicks. And if I take the key and do like a vroom-vroom motion like a motorcycle between Start and Run, basically just keep twisting the key to start, hear the click back to run, to start, hear the click, back to run, etc, and after like 15 or so times rather quickly it eventually starts. We had a new-ish battery and replaced it with a brand new one, same problem. It reads 12.1 volts so the battery is not the problem. Then yesterday, two times, we clicked the key to start, and the engine started cranking even when we let go of the key to run. The engine didn't start, it just cranked and cranked and cranked all by itself. We turned the key to STOP and it stopped. Then tried to start it again and it started fine. Happened a few times. Quite strange. It's like the engine is inadvertently in disabled mode but the crank works and it won't fire. Other times the crank doesn't seem to allow it to crank long enough. Other times it starts fine. This seems to happen about twice a week so far.

Other things worth mentioning: The DVD player stopped working a few months ago. It will load discs but say no disc when you try to play. The tire pressure light has been on the past month. All tires have perfect pressure. Now this starting thing where it cranks all by itself and doesn't start. We might trade it in. The only problem is I feel bad for the next person who buys this thing and doesn't know of this starting problem.

If you have a VW Routan that will engage the starter for a split second but won't turn the engine over all you need to do is run a dedicated ground from the battery negative post to one of the starter mount bolts. I bought a large starter cable from the local auto parts store which already had eyelets crimped on it. I attached it to the stud on the battery cable clamp and ran it down to the easiest mount bolt on the starter by slipping the bolt through the eyelet on the cable then tightening up the bolt. I also cleaned up the contact points really well with emery cloth so it for sure would get a good ground. I haven't had any problems in months!

Bought a used 2009 VW Routan after the win module recall done starting issue begun. It will click and wont start intermittently annoying and spent $1400 already replacing abs power spring clock, axle seal, engine and Transmission mounts and non starting issue persistent. Kept researching online on a daily basis and I cant even bring my family to enjoy the van, all I did was stay on different repair shops. All relays good, starter motor brand new and the used one is definitely not the issue... until one of the service advisor of dodge keep and Chrysler gave me a tip installing a proper grounding cable from the battery to the bottom engine block pass the gasket of the head block. Incredibly solved by hallelujah repair shop in Placentia, Ca look for the owner Yutaka the grandmaster of engine and electrical solutions! VW dealer was charging me more diagnostics amounting to $400 I almost dig into it.... hallelujah! Routan start issue solved so far I'm driving my Routan with confidence. This is to help other Routan owners who like me spent $$$ being stuck with the same problem. Prevent rip off!

intermittently will not start - engine won't turn over

2009 VW Routan. About a year after having the ignition switch replaced from another recall, the car would intermittently not start. Key would turn and the dash would light up, but the engine would not turn. A jump start did not do the trick. After waiting 10-15 minutes the car would just start. Starter, battery and alternator all tested out fine several times. Finally, a VW Dealer told me it was a burnt out TIPM. So I had it replaced, to the tune of about $1100. Interestingly, Dodge/Chrysler recalled the TIPM on their vehicles and the engine on the VW Routan is all Dodge/Chrysler parts. It's a Caravan with VW body styling. Anyway, after another month since having the problem fixed, the problem has returned. Same Dealer can't really figure out what it is. They are saying maybe battery, maybe the starter is overheating ... but no root cause being provided. Seems there is a faulty electrical system here.