My car has a strange problem when starting. It doesn’t happen often. 2002 VW Passat. The engine will sometimes turn over, but not start. Usually, by waiting a few minutes, it will eventually start.
What should I tell the service person to look at when I take it to have it looked at? The battery was replaced in Jan. 2006.
I assume you’re using the term “turn over” correctly - that is, the starter cranks the engine (rhythmic, somewhat rapid ruh-ruh-ruh sound), but the engine doesn’t catch and run.
I wouldn’t say it’s a strange problem, “cranks but doesn’t start” is not an uncommon symptom. However, the fact that it’s intermittent, and that it doesn’t last long when it does occur, can make it challenging to complete the testing necessary to pinpoint the cause. There are many possible causes in the fuel, ignition, and engine management systems which could give this symptom, and any stab at which it is without further info (such as test results) is purely a guess.
As to what to tell the service person, describe the symptom just as you did here. If he knows what he’s doing, he’ll know what to test and how to test it. If he needs you to suggest specific possible causes, then I would say he’s not well qualified and you don’t want him working on your car.