Is It The Immobiliser Or The Ignition Barrel?

[Guest wg22]

When I try and start my 1.6 GTi the starter solenoid just clicks and doesn't energise 50% of the time. It always starts with a few turns of the key, but is just damned annoying!

 

I've checked out the multiplug and cleaned all the connectors. I've had the inlet manifold off and checked the solenoid, which appeared to be fine. I also tested it direct on the battery and it always energised. I also recrimped a spade connector onto the solenoid lead and checked it all back to multiplug with a meter (it seemed fine, 5 ohms).

 

I also checked the other end of the mulitplug and using a meter measured the resistance between the positive battery connector (battery removed) and the multiplug connector (leading to the ignition barrel and with the key turned to the starting position) and again seemed fine.

 

My question is whether it could possibly be a poor contact within the ignition barrel or the immobiliser messing things up? How could I test this? I can't seem to get the ignition barrel out, as the pins don't seem to want to depress (I've removed the top bolt).

[Pug_101 0]

When I try and start my 1.6 GTi the starter solenoid just clicks and doesn't energise 50% of the time. It always starts with a few turns of the key, but is just damned annoying!

 

I've checked out the multiplug and cleaned all the connectors. I've had the inlet manifold off and checked the solenoid, which appeared to be fine. I also tested it direct on the battery and it always energised. I also recrimped a spade connector onto the solenoid lead and checked it all back to multiplug with a meter (it seemed fine, 5 ohms).

 

I also checked the other end of the mulitplug and using a meter measured the resistance between the positive battery connector (battery removed) and the multiplug connector (leading to the ignition barrel and with the key turned to the starting position) and again seemed fine.

 

My question is whether it could possibly be a poor contact within the ignition barrel or the immobiliser messing things up? How could I test this? I can't seem to get the ignition barrel out, as the pins don't seem to want to depress (I've removed the top bolt).

 

 

Do a search mate this was covered very recently and I can't remember the cause think it was different to what your thinking although there valid points.

Cheers

[steve@cornwall 100]

Do a search mate this was covered very recently and I can't remember the cause think it was different to what your thinking although there valid points.

Cheers

 

Clean and tighten battery terminals?

[jonD6B 0]

If the starter solonoid clicks then the connection is being made at the barrel. If you're sure you've made a propper job of cleaning up the multi plug and you know the starter internals are ok, bypass the immobiliser and see how that works for a while? (If your car gets pinched, I never suggested it!)

[Rob_the_Sparky 9]

I tested mine as follows (as an initial test but results were interesting):

 

Took off the spade from the solenoid and measured the voltage here when the key was turned (you'd clearly expect battery volatage with no load). I got 9V!!!

 

Did the same under the dash after the ignition and after the immobiliser and it was 12V in both cases so fault was after the immobiliser and before the brown multiplug (a poor connection can't cause a voltage drop with no load).

 

I scratched head then added a wire from after the immobiliser to the starter and piggy backed this with the orignial at the starter. Never had a problem since.

 

I am at a bit of a loss as to why but the tachy is on this circuit so this is my only guess.

 

I'd try the same as you clearly have a meter and it is an easy test.

 

Rob

[Guest wg22]

Cheers guys! I think I'll try diverting the immobiliser first and if unsuccessful I'll piggyback the solenoid wire like Rob suggested, although isn't routing the wire quite difficult? I was finding it difficult to see where the loom went after the multiplug.........twisting its way to the dash eventually!

[Rob_the_Sparky 9]

I'd test the wiring before randomly replacing things but that is your choice!

 

Getting to the loom in the car is easy, just remove the plastic panel under the dash. Routing the wire out to the solenoid is a so and so. As the car I was doing was a shed I took an easy way out and posted it out of the driver's door and under the back of the wing! Not an elegant solution but has worked without fault!!! Oh and being a bit paranoid I also added an in-line fuse but it is not strictly necessary.

 

Rob