VW Crafter Diesel Stalling: Common Causes & Fixes

Having worked on diesel engines for several years, I faced a very similar engine stalling issue with my 2011 VW Transporter. The symptoms were nearly identical, including unexpected shutdowns and warning lights. After multiple attempts at diagnosing, my workshop found the root cause was a heavily discharged battery causing issues with the engine start system. The idle stop feature was especially affected, triggering unusual stalling events. The complete repair involved: Battery testing and replacement, System reset and recalibration, Testing of the alternator, Clearing all error codes Total cost was 290€ and the problem never returned. Regular battery checks are now part of my maintenance routine. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Battery age and last replacement date, Exact error codes from your diagnostic tool, Whether stalling occurs more frequently during cold starts, If the battery warning light appears before engine stalling These details would help determine if your Crafter is experiencing the same battery issue or if there might be another underlying cause.

Having worked on diesel engines for several years, I faced a very similar engine stalling issue with my 2011 VW Transporter. The symptoms were nearly identical, including unexpected shutdowns and warning lights. After multiple attempts at diagnosing, my workshop found the root cause was a heavily discharged battery causing issues with the engine start system. The idle stop feature was especially affected, triggering unusual stalling events. The complete repair involved: Battery testing and replacement, System reset and recalibration, Testing of the alternator, Clearing all error codes Total cost was 290€ and the problem never returned. Regular battery checks are now part of my maintenance routine. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Battery age and last replacement date, Exact error codes from your diagnostic tool, Whether stalling occurs more frequently during cold starts, If the battery warning light appears before engine stalling These details would help determine if your Crafter is experiencing the same battery issue or if there might be another underlying cause.

Having worked on diesel engines for several years, I faced a very similar engine stalling issue with my 2011 VW Transporter. The symptoms were nearly identical, including unexpected shutdowns and warning lights. After multiple attempts at diagnosing, my workshop found the root cause was a heavily discharged battery causing issues with the engine start system. The idle stop feature was especially affected, triggering unusual stalling events. The complete repair involved: Battery testing and replacement, System reset and recalibration, Testing of the alternator, Clearing all error codes Total cost was 290€ and the problem never returned. Regular battery checks are now part of my maintenance routine. To provide more specific advice for your case, could you share: Battery age and last replacement date, Exact error codes from your diagnostic tool, Whether stalling occurs more frequently during cold starts, If the battery warning light appears before engine stalling These details would help determine if your Crafter is experiencing the same battery issue or if there might be another underlying cause.

Last service was done at 132000KM and included full diagnostics. After checking my error codes again just now, I got P0380 and P0341. The stalling seems more frequent when the engine is cold, especially during morning starts. The battery light does flash occasionally before the stalling occurs, similar to what you described. My initial diagnostic scan also showed voltage fluctuations during idle, which seems to match your battery theory. Would a simple battery replacement fix this or should I also check the alternator since the engine stalling happens while driving? The hybrid vehicle features in newer models apparently handle these issues better with their enhanced battery systems.

Last service was done at 132000KM and included full diagnostics. After checking my error codes again just now, I got P0380 and P0341. The stalling seems more frequent when the engine is cold, especially during morning starts. The battery light does flash occasionally before the stalling occurs, similar to what you described. My initial diagnostic scan also showed voltage fluctuations during idle, which seems to match your battery theory. Would a simple battery replacement fix this or should I also check the alternator since the engine stalling happens while driving? The hybrid vehicle features in newer models apparently handle these issues better with their enhanced battery systems.

Last service was done at 132000KM and included full diagnostics. After checking my error codes again just now, I got P0380 and P0341. The stalling seems more frequent when the engine is cold, especially during morning starts. The battery light does flash occasionally before the stalling occurs, similar to what you described. My initial diagnostic scan also showed voltage fluctuations during idle, which seems to match your battery theory. Would a simple battery replacement fix this or should I also check the alternator since the engine stalling happens while driving? The hybrid vehicle features in newer models apparently handle these issues better with their enhanced battery systems.

Following up on our battery discussion, those error codes (P0380 for glow plug circuit and P0341 for camshaft sensor) combined with voltage fluctuations strongly suggest a power supply issue affecting multiple systems. In my Transporter case, the alternator was actually fine despite similar symptoms. The starter motor strain during cold starts is particularly telling. When the start-stop system attempts to engage with insufficient power, it causes exactly these stalling patterns. Even if the eco mode is active, a weak battery prevents proper function. My repair sequence went like this: 1. Battery replacement (180€) 2. System voltage testing under load 3. Start-stop system recalibration 4. Error code clearing The alternator only needed cleaning of connections. Cold weather significantly impacts battery performance, which explains the morning start issues. Modern battery monitoring systems help prevent these failures, but our older vans need more frequent checks. Given the identical symptoms, start with a battery replacement and voltage test. If stalling persists, then investigate the alternator. Most times, resolving the battery issue eliminates these engine start problems entirely.

Following up on our battery discussion, those error codes (P0380 for glow plug circuit and P0341 for camshaft sensor) combined with voltage fluctuations strongly suggest a power supply issue affecting multiple systems. In my Transporter case, the alternator was actually fine despite similar symptoms. The starter motor strain during cold starts is particularly telling. When the start-stop system attempts to engage with insufficient power, it causes exactly these stalling patterns. Even if the eco mode is active, a weak battery prevents proper function. My repair sequence went like this: 1. Battery replacement (180€) 2. System voltage testing under load 3. Start-stop system recalibration 4. Error code clearing The alternator only needed cleaning of connections. Cold weather significantly impacts battery performance, which explains the morning start issues. Modern battery monitoring systems help prevent these failures, but our older vans need more frequent checks. Given the identical symptoms, start with a battery replacement and voltage test. If stalling persists, then investigate the alternator. Most times, resolving the battery issue eliminates these engine start problems entirely.

Following up on our battery discussion, those error codes (P0380 for glow plug circuit and P0341 for camshaft sensor) combined with voltage fluctuations strongly suggest a power supply issue affecting multiple systems. In my Transporter case, the alternator was actually fine despite similar symptoms. The starter motor strain during cold starts is particularly telling. When the start-stop system attempts to engage with insufficient power, it causes exactly these stalling patterns. Even if the eco mode is active, a weak battery prevents proper function. My repair sequence went like this: 1. Battery replacement (180€) 2. System voltage testing under load 3. Start-stop system recalibration 4. Error code clearing The alternator only needed cleaning of connections. Cold weather significantly impacts battery performance, which explains the morning start issues. Modern battery monitoring systems help prevent these failures, but our older vans need more frequent checks. Given the identical symptoms, start with a battery replacement and voltage test. If stalling persists, then investigate the alternator. Most times, resolving the battery issue eliminates these engine start problems entirely.

Thanks for sharing that detailed repair sequence. The matching voltage symptoms and error codes make sense. I just checked my service records and the battery is actually 4 years old, so definitely due for replacement. Going to start there since it matches your experience exactly. Will get the battery replaced this week and have them perform the full system voltage test too. The cold morning stalls are getting worse, and I dont want to risk being stranded. Rather tackle the most likely cause first before digging into alternator issues. I will keep monitoring the engine stalling pattern after the battery swap. If the automatic restart system is still acting up after that, I will come back with an update on whether we need to look at other potential causes. Really helpful to hear from someone who resolved such similar symptoms.

Thanks for sharing that detailed repair sequence. The matching voltage symptoms and error codes make sense. I just checked my service records and the battery is actually 4 years old, so definitely due for replacement. Going to start there since it matches your experience exactly. Will get the battery replaced this week and have them perform the full system voltage test too. The cold morning stalls are getting worse, and I dont want to risk being stranded. Rather tackle the most likely cause first before digging into alternator issues. I will keep monitoring the engine stalling pattern after the battery swap. If the automatic restart system is still acting up after that, I will come back with an update on whether we need to look at other potential causes. Really helpful to hear from someone who resolved such similar symptoms.

Thanks for sharing that detailed repair sequence. The matching voltage symptoms and error codes make sense. I just checked my service records and the battery is actually 4 years old, so definitely due for replacement. Going to start there since it matches your experience exactly. Will get the battery replaced this week and have them perform the full system voltage test too. The cold morning stalls are getting worse, and I dont want to risk being stranded. Rather tackle the most likely cause first before digging into alternator issues. I will keep monitoring the engine stalling pattern after the battery swap. If the automatic restart system is still acting up after that, I will come back with an update on whether we need to look at other potential causes. Really helpful to hear from someone who resolved such similar symptoms.