Eurovan won't start, electronics acting wierd

It could be the ignition switch. It is common on Eurovans and Jettas. The switch is screwed to the back of the key tumbler. I believe this part is the same for all years of Eurovans. Link to part and pictures: http://www.autopartsway.ca/PartList.cfm?Volkswagen/1995/EuroVan/Camper/2.5L_L5/allB/Electrical,_Lighting_and_Body/Switches/Ignition_Starter_Switch/pagenum1/tabS

Hi Perry, i have same problems wonder how did you resolve the issue?

It turns out that a part of the ignition cylinder (referred to above as the key tumbler?) broke off mid-turn when we first turned the ignition key on. So, in effect, the van was stuck in "ig-on" mode, if that's what VW calls it. The ignition switch made it to ig-on mode but never got to "engine start" mode. The part that broke was a little knuckle that is part of the casting of the igintion cylider that is what turns the actual ignition switch to the different ignition positions. It took our auto electric specialist mechanic several hours to diagnose and repair this, but he only charged us for about 1.5 hours because he felt he should have been able to do it faster if he was better at diagnosing the VW's. Thanks for asking!

Is your passenger seat turned in the driving mode? facing forward? If it is turned toward the back (as in when you are camping) the ignition won't engage. Try this out. j

Had the same issue. It's a faulty ignition switched. Camped next to a river in Quincy, CA.. was advised that we had to go to a dealer b/c the fix involves a new key. Towed to Reno. Verdict is $1,125 fix to replace the ring, ignition switch, lock & cylinder. $500 part, $575 labor. Will end up with a new key that will only work for the ignition, so will need to carry 2 keys for the vehicle. Understand its a common failure, didn't know it would be such a sting. Going to research now to see if this is a rip off fix, or reasonable. This is a 2002 Eurovan, 147,000 miles, out on our second camping trip after purchasing the van a couple months ago. Welcome to the club eh?

It's the ignition switch which is plastic piece that Is behind the lock. You don't need a new lock. The ignition switch is about $20 online (much more at the dealer) it's a major pain to install though, because you need to unscrew the old one with one little screw right between the lock and the steering column accessed from the bottom up. People have used a bent philips screwdriver, I completely took off steering wheel and everything behind it to get to it and still had to use the bend screw driver :-( But, 1 Saturday later we're back in business

Joan0713's answer of 7 years ago solved my problem! Geez, and THANK YOU! This serious nanny state system won't let you start the car if the passenger seat isn't locked facing forward, and also, if the car is running, won't let you unlock it to turn the seat. When my wife and I thought about it in retrospect, we realized that this happened when camping (extremely inconvenient -- as we had it towed once, only to have it start up with a sneaky grin on its face as soon as it reached the shop!) and when I was doing some work on the poptop, here at home. To address this non-problem I had already replaced the car battery and that isolation solenoid near it, and was facing the prospect of another tow to a garage where they'd most likely replace the alternator, the starter motor, etc. and then it would happened AGAIN when we were next camping. Joan, THANKS!!!!! By the way, does anyone know how to get another "Jesus Key" programmed? I just have one, and without it, the immobilizer will let the engine turn over but shut it down one second later. I do have a key blank with its little grain-of-rice blank RFID and the needed code, but cannot find anyone who has the proper programmer. Anyone, anywhere who can do this? (Dealer here does not have it.)