Golf 5 TDI 2.0 won't start / random electrical issues

[Systemshock]

Good morning all,

I was hoping that I might be able to find some advice on here before I call the mechanic. I don't have much knowledge of cars in general and would like to know what I'm talking about before I hand over wads of cash

I tried to start the car yesterday morning and when I did it wouldn't start, the battery seems to be sparking as it normally does but I don't hear the splutter of the engine as if it was trying to start it's almost like the battery is going full on but no fuel is arriving to be lit. I then tried to jump it with a friends car but same thing.

While I had the key turned into start position the whole dash flashed wildly, then when I released it back to position 1 (which should have all the electrics on) the display showed a "airbag defective" error. I suspect this is a bit of a red herring as I also then discovered some other issues:

- Headlights work ok
- Electric windows don't work
- boot doesn't open
- Doors sometimes lock sometimes don't (mainly the back doors)
- Radio won't turn on
- Aircon comes on and then goes off
- Mirror control doesn't work

After checking these things I suspect that the whole issue is electrical, so I checked the fusebox. They all seem fine though (apparently they should pop up if they are blown?)

Any advice that you could give me would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks very much.

[HiTorque]

You need to wait for glow plug light to go off in 1-2 sec then move the ignition key to start position - it's a diesel car.
From my experience the controls on the driver side door are not working due to damage to the harness as shown here:


Radio and A/C might have their own problems...