Volkswagen Passat 2003, does not spark

Hello to all members of this page and this forum,

I'm new here. I have a 2003 Volkswagen Passat, 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, manual transmission. The problem is this: I was driving normally and suddenly it shut off and wouldn't restart. However, when I turn the ignition switch to the "start" position, the electrical components work—the lights, doors, windows, and radio—but when I turn the key to start the engine, nothing happens; there's no spark. I don't know much about mechanics. I found a mechanic, and he said it's not the timing belt and that the engine isn't seized. He removed the top cover where the spark plugs are located, and according to him, the valves aren't bent or anything. But I don't think he wanted to tell me exactly what's wrong. He said he'd have to take the engine apart and so on. The point is, he said the engine can be repaired and that I wouldn't have to replace it, but he still didn't tell me exactly what's wrong, and yet he's charging me more than it would cost to replace the engine. I said I would think about it and decided to investigate through this medium to get an idea.

Note: He didn't tell me anything about the fuel pump, or the distributor, or anything else.

Could someone help me? This is my email:

If the timing belt is fine, the only reason to disassemble the engine is if the head gasket is blown. It would start, but it would run poorly, with visible signs of oil and water mixing, smoke, and other unusual behavior.
Was there oil when you removed the spark plugs?

When you try to start it, does the starter motor make a sound?
Do you hear a click?

It could be many things, from a burnt wire preventing the fuel pump from injecting fuel to the ECU locking up for various reasons.

Get a second opinion from another mechanic; there's always time to open the engine later.

Let us know if you fix it, and if not, keep us updated on your progress.

Hi! As a first step, consult another mechanic; look for a trusted one with a recommendation. To diagnose the problem, we need more information, especially since you're unfamiliar with automotive terminology. From what you've said, I think the starter motor isn't working. This could be due to a weak battery, a problem with the starter motor itself, a faulty electrical connection, or, in the worst-case scenario, a serious engine problem preventing it from turning over. We also need to know if you noticed any other issues before the engine stopped, such as overheating or the red warning lights for low oil pressure or insufficient battery charging. I hope this helps. Regards, Luis.

Hi and thanks for helping me with this problem,

Igryo. No, I saw when he removed the spark plugs and there was no oil, and when you try to start it, there's no sound, only the current comes in, but the engine is like it's not even

there. The mechanic turned a pulley that's at the front of the engine, at the bottom, and it was turning. When he removed the top cover, it was clean; there was no mixture of water and oil.

Hi! If, as you say, the engine isn't seized when you turn the crankshaft pulley, you should look for an electrical problem or a problem with the starter motor, as I initially mentioned. When the engine turns over, you should continue checking for a high-voltage spark at the spark plugs. If this doesn't happen, the problem lies in the ignition system or the RPM sensor. You should also measure the cylinder compression and fuel pressure. I repeat, all these operations should be performed by an experienced mechanic; otherwise, other parts that may not be affected could be damaged. These could include sensors, actuators, or even the control unit (computer) itself. I hope this has been helpful. Best regards, Luis.