VW Virtus Ignition Switch Failure: No Power, Won't Start

Had almost the exact same issue with my 2017 VW Polo last winter. As someone with basic car repair experience, I first suspected the battery terminal connections, but it turned out more complex. After multiple failed starts and checking the fuse box myself, I noticed the ignition switch was getting inconsistent power. The workshop found a circuit break in the wiring harness near the steering column, causing a voltage drop to the ignition system. There was a damaged plug connection that needed replacement. The fix involved replacing some wiring and a connector, total cost was 95€ including diagnostic time. Since then, zero starting issues. To help diagnose your case better: Does the dashboard light up at all when turning the key? Have you checked all fuses related to the ignition system? Do you hear any clicking or humming from the fuse box area? How long has this been happening? Getting those details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced. The symptoms sound very similar to my case with the faulty wiring harness connection.

Thanks for sharing your experience. This happened to my Virtus since last service at 14000km. Yes, I hear a faint click from the fuse box area and dash lights flicker occasionally when turning the key. I replaced all ignition-related fuses but no change. A voltage test showed power supply dropping at the relay switch near the steering column. The intermittent power sounds exactly like your harness issue. Will have the wiring connections checked, focusing on that area. Hopefully just a loose connector rather than damaged wiring. Good to know a similar problem was fixed without major component replacement. Will report back after the workshop checks it out.

Thanks for the follow-up. Those symptoms, especially the flickering dash lights and voltage drop at the relay switch, are nearly identical to what my Polo displayed before the repair. The clicking from the fuse box area strongly suggests an electrical connection issue rather than a component failure. In my case, the wiring harness had a partially damaged connector that would make/break contact depending on steering wheel position and temperature. Since your issues started after the service, I suspect a connector might have been disturbed or not fully seated during routine work. The power supply interruption pattern matches my experience perfectly. A quick tip: when the workshop examines it, ask them to specifically check the relay switch connections and wiring harness routing near where any service work was performed. My repair was relatively straightforward once they located the exact circuit break point. With such similar symptoms, I bet youll find its a connection issue rather than needing to replace the entire ignition system. The intermittent power supply through Terminal 15 was definitely the root cause in my case. Keep us updated on what they find, this kind of feedback helps others with similar starting problems.

Good feedback on the intermittent power issue. The voltage test showing power supply drops at the relay matches my symptoms perfectly. The loose connection theory makes sense, especially since it started right after service. Strange that the mechanics might have disturbed something during routine maintenance, but at least it points to a simpler fix. I scheduled a workshop visit for tomorrow morning. Will have them focus on checking all wiring harness connections near the steering column and relay area, plus inspect the circuit break points you mentioned. The faint clicking from the fuse box definitely suggests an electrical connection problem rather than component failure. Really hoping its just a matter of finding and fixing a disturbed connector like in your case. Will update once I know what they discover. Thanks again for the detailed advice, helped narrow down where to look for the voltage drop issues.