VW Arteon Starting Issues: Ignition System Troubles

Having low experience with car electronics, I encountered a similar issue with my 2017 VW Passat. The symptoms were nearly identical, inconsistent starting and dashboard lights working normally when turning the key. After dealing with this frustrating starting problem for about a week, I took it to a workshop. The mechanic performed a thorough check of the electrical system and discovered it was actually just a blown fuse connected to the ignition circuit. The repair was straightforward, replacing the faulty fuse cost 52€ including diagnostic time. Before jumping to conclusions about the ignition switch, it would be helpful to know: Does the starter motor make any sound when turning the key? Have you noticed any other electrical issues? How old is your battery? Are there any warning lights on the dashboard? The ignition coil could also be causing these symptoms, but start with checking the fuses first since its the simplest fix. A proper diagnostic scan would reveal if the engine start issues are related to other components. Would you be able to share those additional details about your Arteon? This would help narrow down the potential causes.

Last service was completed at 14000km and everything was fine with the car electronics back then. When I turn the key now, the starter motor cranks but seems weaker than normal. No warning lights appear on the dash, and the battery is only 6 months old. The ignition key works fine for locking/unlocking, so I dont think its a transponder issue. What really concerns me is how unpredictable the starting has become, sometimes it starts right up, other times it takes multiple attempts. The engine also feels rough for the first minute after starting. Based on the symptoms you described with your car, I will definitely check the fuses first. Do you recall which specific fuse was related to the ignition circuit?

Thanks for those additional details about your Arteon. After you mentioned the weak starter motor crank, it actually reminds me that my Passat had the same symptom, I forgot to mention that in my first response. While the blown fuse fixed my initial problems, I later experienced similar issues again. The weak cranking combined with rough running turned out to be a failing ignition coil. The intermittent nature of your starting problems matches exactly what I experienced. For the fuse location, check fuse 32 in the main fuse box, which handles the ignition circuit. However, given your symptoms are more complex than mine were, I would suggest looking beyond just the fuses. The fact that the starter motor sounds weak when you turn the key, combined with the rough running, strongly points to either: A failing ignition coil, A deteriorating starter motor, Poor electrical connections to the starter The repair for my ignition coil replacement ended up costing 180€. If you want to diagnose this yourself before visiting a workshop, try listening for any clicking sounds when attempting to start, this can help determine if the starter motor is the culprit.

Thanks for the detailed response. With the weak starter motor crank and rough running symptoms, I am leaning towards getting the ignition coil checked first. I can definitely hear that clicking sound you mentioned when turning the key, which makes me more confident its not just a fuse issue. I will start by having the fuses inspected, particularly fuse 32 as suggested, but will also ask the workshop to test the ignition coil and starter motor connections. The intermittent nature of the problem is definitely the most frustrating part, but at least the symptoms seem to match what you experienced with your car. The repair cost of 180€ for the ignition coil replacement seems reasonable if that ends up being the fix. I appreciate you sharing your experience, it helps to know someone else dealt with similar car electronics issues and got them resolved. Will update once I get it checked out and know what the actual problem was.