Will not start, tried to boost battery and it only charges a little bit after 5 plus minutes of charging to bring up ESC?

2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
168,000 MILES • 1.8L • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
MRTODDCAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Tried to boost battery and it only charges a little bit after 5 plus minutes of charging to bring up ESC (electronic stability control) error (can not push break pedal all the way down to be able to try and quickly start the car because this error comes up) then electronic dash stopped working after this.
Sep 26, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
MRTODDCAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Will do thanks so much.

Again it is a 2017 Golf TSI 1.8 Turbo

I also, never saw that ESC come up on the dash since I bought the vehicle over 7 years ago.

In this photo, the circle is the block i used for grounding the booster circuit to charge my car.

Hope that helps.

Thanks,
Todd
Sep 26, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
I don't see the image, can you please reload them? Also, it sounds like the battery is the problem, if it is bad and shorted internally you will not be able to jump the car. I would remove the battery and take it to the auto parts store for testing. Please go over this video as well which can help:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YRW8fyNudY&t

Please upload pictures or videos in your response.
Sep 27, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
KRAKENAUTO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 39 POSTS
Definitely sounds like a battery issue, as it can make your entire vehicle electronic systems act strange when it is not properly charged. The voltage drop can cause the ESC warning you saw.

Jumping it off provides usually only enough to start a vehicle, not keep the battery going if it is severely depleted. Before you try anything else, have the battery tested or replace if it is old. Most auto parts places can test a battery for you.

When you put the battery back in make sure the terminals are clean and tight. If this still occurs then the next step would be to look at your alternator. Many times a bad alternator can also take out a battery as well.
Sep 28, 2025 at 5:40 AM