VW Caddy Won't Start: Clutch Switch Fix Guide

As someone with moderate experience working on VWs, I had a very similar electrical fault on my 2010 VW Golf with the same symptoms you describe. The ignition problem turned out to be exactly what you suspect, a faulty clutch switch causing multiple system failures. The clutch pedal switch is a critical safety mechanism that prevents starting without the clutch engaged. When it fails, it can trigger various electrical issues including problems with the gear display and cruise control. In my case, the workshop found a damaged wire connection at the clutch switch connector. The repair involved replacing the entire clutch switch assembly and rewiring the connection point. Total cost was 95€ and completely resolved all the symptoms. Before proceeding with repairs, could you share: Engine size and type, Current mileage, Whether the check engine light is on, If the problems started suddenly or developed gradually This information would help confirm if your issue matches what I experienced and ensure the solution would be applicable to your situation. A proper diagnostic scan would be advisable to verify the exact nature of the electrical fault, as similar symptoms can sometimes stem from other components in the starting system.

Last service was completed at 15000km and I also noticed the check engine light started flickering before these issues appeared. The car stalling incidents began gradually over two weeks, first with intermittent gear selector display issues, then progressing to the complete starting failure. The scan report shows fault codes related to the clutch switch circuit and transmission control module communication errors. The safety mechanism seems to be preventing engine start even when the clutch pedal is fully depressed. Based on your shared experience, the symptoms match closely. Before replacing parts, would testing the clutch switch continuity help confirm the diagnosis?

Thanks for providing those additional details, yes, your progression of symptoms exactly mirrors what I experienced with my Golf. The flickering check engine light followed by gradual gear selector display issues is a telltale sign of the failing clutch switch circuit. Testing the clutch switch continuity is definitely a smart first step. When I dealt with this, I used a multimeter to check the switch contacts while operating the clutch pedal. This helped confirm the faulty switch before replacing parts. In my case, the safety mechanism was incorrectly sensing the clutch position due to worn contacts in the switch. The transmission control module errors you mentioned are typically secondary faults triggered by the primary clutch switch failure. A quick way to verify: Does the gear selector display momentarily work if you wiggle the clutch pedal? This behavior confirmed my diagnosis before the full repair. Since your symptoms developed similarly to mine, I strongly suspect the same root cause. The switch assembly replacement resolved all connected issues, gear display, starting problems, and cruise control functionality. Would recommend having the switch assembly inspected for physical wear or damaged wiring before committing to replacement parts. The safety switch wiring harness should also be checked for any signs of corrosion at connection points.

Thanks for that detailed response. I can confirm the gear selector display does briefly flicker when moving the clutch pedal, just as you described. This really helps confirm the diagnosis. Given the matching symptoms and similar progression of the car stalling issues, I feel confident proceeding with the clutch switch inspection and likely replacement. The safety mechanism behavior and error codes align perfectly with what you experienced. I will start by testing the switch continuity with a multimeter and checking the wiring harness connections. Since my ignition problem matches your case so closely, including the transmission control module errors, this seems like the most logical approach before replacing parts. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it saved me from potentially exploring more complex and expensive repair options. Will get the switch assembly checked and replaced if needed.