Random Starting Issue 89 1.6

[johny105_y2k 1]

hey guys,

i've just got a really random problem,

i seem to find it is when i unlock the car and dont start it straight away ( when i'm loading stuff in the boot etc etc) or when i stall it ( very rare but getting in the birds drive is a bit tricky and i have a idle problem so it'll cut out some times )

but anyway. i'll get in seat belt on etc etc and go to start the car and nothing on the starter but i can hear the fuel pump pumping.

i've recently put another engine in there and totally cut out the brown multi plug and made sure all the wires i've put in its place are good.

i've had an alarm fitted to the car not long back. and i thought it may be that but i can hear the fuel pump when i turn the key and it will bump so it cant be .

i can cure the problem by either bumping it off or alarming it and leaving it for a while sometimes 5 mins sometimes 2hours. once i bump it it'll be fine again until i do whatever it is i do to stop it starting.

 

 

i've tried shorting the starter and it throws it over but doesn't engage it to the engine. it was a new starter not long ago and has alawys been fine.

 

 

i'm at my wits end here cos as you cna imagine it does it at the most inconvinient times petrol station forecourts seems to be a fave .

cheers johny

 

oh btw its a 89 1.6gti (205)

[jackherer 543]

It sounds like a bad starter possibly.

 

Worth checking the gearbox earth and battery connections I suppose but it sounds like you've covered most things already.

[johny105_y2k 1]

well that was my 1st port of call last week , i changed the rad as it was weeping and found a load of wires and earth points that were just generally manky. so i changed the lot and cleaned up all the earth points i could find,

i'll do the G/Box one later today, and let you know, but..

most of the time it works fine-- thats the thing, then i do what i described and it wont work. very frustrating

cheers for te quick reply anyway.

 

anyone else any advice

cheers johny

[johny105_y2k 1]

checked the G/Box earth was a bit rusty, so i took it off cleaned the area and renewed the ring terminal on the end with some fresh wire,

left it unlcoked for a while tried it, still nothing.

 

anyone else?

 

johny

[uncle buck 0]

It could be your Ignition switch.

 

Have a read of this thread....

http://forum.205gtidrivers.com/index.php?s...mp;#entry786662

 

 

Regards.

[johny105_y2k 1]

.. that was a very interesting read, but my starter doesn't click as in all those cases. but

where is the ignition switch?

its not the barrel and key is it?

if i can identify it i'll get a new one and change it ..

cheers

johny

[luggy 13]

Before you replace the ignition switch, locate the tachymetric relay which is under the drivers side dash by the ecu above the throttle pedal, give this a few whacks next time it wont start or borrow a known good one to see if it resolves your issue. I had a similar intermittant issue which you describe on mine, new starter motor, brown multiplug cleaned and bypassed, new igintion switch. Only way I could start the car was by bump starting it, whacking the tachy relay or bypassing the ignition with a wire from the starter solenoid to the + on the battery.

[johny105_y2k 1]

when i try short the car with a screw driver, (like you say with a wire) and it spins the starter but doesn't throw it in.

i thought the tachy relay was for fuel?

i'll try it next time it kicks up though, cheers

johny

 

any other thigns to try?

[jackherer 543]

when i try short the car with a screw driver, (like you say with a wire) and it spins the starter but doesn't throw it in.

 

If I got that result when performing that test I would put a new starter in.

[steve@cornwall 100]

when i try short the car with a screw driver, (like you say with a wire) and it spins the starter but doesn't throw it in.

i thought the tachy relay was for fuel?

i'll try it next time it kicks up though, cheers

johny

 

any other thigns to try?

 

If shorting the starter only spins, and does not engage the starter, suspect the battery either isn't holding enough charge, or isn't getting fed enough by the alternator. This could be as simple as loose or corroded battery terminals.

[johny105_y2k 1]

i thought exactly the same thing, but it has never stuck on when turning it over on the key so i thought maybe the part of the starter that throws it in was on the ignition wire - like a 2way switch throws it in and spins it up. and that by using the screw driver i was bypassing that.???

its a recon halfords one with about 3months use.

[johny105_y2k 1]

ok, after an hour and a half stuck in B&Q car park. i got the multimeter out, the wire from the B+ i have 12.6V the little (ignition???) wire i have nothing and i also have nothing on the other wire whitch goes to the fuseboard/coil??

then when i turn the key i have 12.6v at the B+ 7V at the little wire and a nominal voltage at the other wire .89V

now the othe wire is a big fat one so i assume it must take more of a voltage that .89V

so am i right in thinking that i have a dud starter???

cheers johny

[jord294 94]

i'd go with the solenoid on the starter being u/s

 

if you only had it a few months ago, it should still have a warranty

[johny105_y2k 1]

halfords re-con,

i'll dig paper work out and have a looksy

 

would that also explain the randomness?

i should of tested it once it was ok to be sure, bit dark now though...

 

 

johny