Gti 1.9 Won't Start

[RickyD 0]

Good Evening All,

 

My 1.9 GTI has been sorned for three months. I usually start it ever now and again.

 

Today it won't start at all. I've ensured that the battery is fully charged and still no joy. When the car was on the road it did have an intermittent fault and did the same thing. Most of the time if you rocked the car in gear, then try again it would start.

 

Could this be a sticking starter motor of something electrical like a trigger wire or ignition amplifier.

 

To be fair I don't really have the spare time to look at it as I'm training for a Marathon.

 

Would any have any suggestions or point me in the direction of someone in the North Easy (Northumberland/Newcastle) who knows these cars.

 

Cheers

 

RickyD

[weejp 0]

Good Evening All,

 

My 1.9 GTI has been sorned for three months. I usually start it ever now and again.

 

Today it won't start at all. I've ensured that the battery is fully charged and still no joy. When the car was on the road it did have an intermittent fault and did the same thing. Most of the time if you rocked the car in gear, then try again it would start.

 

Could this be a sticking starter motor of something electrical like a trigger wire or ignition amplifier.

 

To be fair I don't really have the spare time to look at it as I'm training for a Marathon.

 

Would any have any suggestions or point me in the direction of someone in the North Easy (Northumberland/Newcastle) who knows these cars.

 

Cheers

 

RickyD

 

Is it trying to start or is it totally dead? Is it the click, click, click syndrome? If it is trying to start, do you know if it's getting a spark at all?

It would probably be better trying to explain the symptoms a bit more.

 

My recent starting problem was traced to dirty relay connections, the green ones on the bulkhead. If you're not getting a spark this could be the culprit. Worth a try.

 

Cheers

weejp

[Alastairh 47]

Following on from Weejp's comments.

 

Is the starter motor triggering and rotating the engine?

 

Do you have access to a multimeter to double check the dc voltage over the battery terminals? Generally you should see over 12 volts DC to run.

 

If both of the above, using a 17mm spanner, disconnect the fuel line at the fuel rail from the fuel filter, and pointing the hose into a container and turn the key to start. You should get fuel pissing out.

 

If none of the above, whip a spark plug and earth the tip of the plug with the ignition lead still connected to an engine mount or the engine rocker cover.

 

These simple checks would give us a better idea of the problem and potentially save you money.

 

Al

[RickyD 0]

Thanks Gents for your kind responses.

 

I managed to get it started last night, however there's still an intermittment fault somewhere. Even after letting the car idle for 5 - 10mins then switching it off it wouldn't do the old clicking noise. There is also a humming noise, so this maybe the starter motor trying to turn.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a muliti-meter so I've no way of checking the voltage.

 

What do the relay connections look like?

 

Cheers

 

RickyD

[welshpug 1,666]

best get a multimeter then! or a power probe, both are invaluable tools.

 

when you turn the key what happens? do you get a click, does the engine turn, or do you get nothing at all?

 

tried with an extra battery?

 

humming noise is likely to be the fuel pump.

[u47sb2 27 2 Cars]

Multimeter and check the wiring - get to the starter (under intake manifold) and see if the solenoid is getting 12+volts. If not then trace back to the multiplug etc.

[P_Monty 2]

Just to add another variable, I've had issues with the starter sticking. Get someone to turn the key (IN NEUTRAL!!!!!) while you lie in front of the car and tap the starter with a hammer or similar ..

[jackherer 543]

Hitting the starter is pretty crude, it'll often work but 90% of the time its because you're disturbing bad wiring not the starter itself.

[darrellspeed 1]

a common fault is the brown multiplug in the engine bay, the connections get dirty or corrode, if you by pass this plug by either bridging across it or remove the starter wire from the plug completely and fit a new connection.