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General => The garage => Topic started by: dubchaser on 19 October 2004, 19:15
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1991 VW Golf Mk2 Driver 1.6 Carb engine.
My car would'nt start the other day so I called the AA out. They said it was the alternator and that it was only delivering 12.5 volts/amps? to the battery when it should be delivering 13.5 volts/amps? to the battery.
With this in mind I purchased a brand new Alternator and Starter Motor. I fitted them today. I hoped this would cure the problem but it hasn't. It still won't start.
The battery is fine as the Central Locking and lights still work. The lights don't even dim after a few seconds of being on.
When I put the key in the ignition and turn it, all the three usual lights come on (battery/oil/other) the oil one goes off as usual after a couple of flashes. I then turn the key to try and start the car. Theres a clicking/knocking noise (I'm presuming this is the starter motor solinoid?!). the three lights flash but it won't start.
Anybody have any experience of this or any advise on what it might be?
Regards
Lee
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hello maye have u tried bump starting it???
ur engine is im good working order and not seized??
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No not tried bump starting it. If I did after switching it back off would it start as normal?
The engine should'nt be seized as it was running fine until 5 days ago when it wouldn't start.
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yeah id try push/tow starting it (igniton on 2nd gear) if it fires up then your engines fine,
if it dosnt and makes some strange noises etc id take the cambelt cover off and just check the belt is ok and on, just for obvious things as sometimes mr aa men are in that much of a rush they dont look into every thing,
if the car does strat on the push/tow but get a voltimeter and check the output going to the battery from the alternator, this should be 13.6-14.2 volts whilst the engine is running, if not tit would idicate tat the alternator isnt charging properly. if voltage is with in them amounts above i dont think thats the prob, if the starter is new then surely it shouldnt be faulty so id look into a bad connection (crimped connection) on the ends of the wires to and from the battery to the starter and alternator, and the earthing points, (normally through the engine/box, which inturn earths through a cable not sure hwere it is though to the battery/chassis)
this is where i think the prob maybe??
Gaz 8)
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You might have a faulty motor starter, I've had that before even though it was new.
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You mean Starter Motor? Even Though I just got it today brand new? What was wrong with yours?
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is it defo the starter motor that is clicking?? get somebody else to try and start it while you listen under the bonnet.
if it is the starter motor clicking then hit it a good tap with a metal bar while somebody else attempts to start it. this should release it if its just sticking.
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Does this happen even if it's a new starter motor then? If it does work is it likely to happen again each time I want to start the car?
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check the solinoid that is located on the starter motor itself as i had this problem a while back.
Do you mean it has a slow start then gives up?
what i used to do is try to start it then wait about 3 minutes. It would turn over after that.
check your battery too?
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No It just wouldn't turn over at all.? The battery is fine and giving a good 12V re-out.
I've looked at the cables, none of them seem to be split or cracked or coroded.
Just also de-pressed the clutch and pushed the accelerator down, both with the engine off.? This made the engine try and turn over but it now just won't fire.
Any further ideas?? Is there anything that can just 'die' that won't make it turn over.? The battery/alternator/starter motor/ignition coil all seem fine as they were all new within the last 6-8 months.
Could it be the fuel pump or something?? I can see fuel in the fuel filter.
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not being funny, i'm only trying to rule out all the obvious things but you dont have any kind of immobiliser on it have you? mine just makes a clicking noise if i've left it too long and the immobiliser kicks in.
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No, no immobiliser.
Thanks
Lee
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As Knightrider said u really need to bump the car to see if the engine will run so u can solely look at the starter system.
If even after bumping the car she still won't start maybe the problem is elsewhere ...
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Have you tried starting it from another car using jump leads??
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Does the engine actually spin at normal starting speed when you try and start it ?
If not, it's either the starter motor, solenoid, or one of the connections.
If it spins OK, then whip a spark plug out and see if you've got a spark. If you haven't then it's within the ignition system.
Check you are getting fuel to the carb.
Check the cam belt hasn't snapped.
Try bump starting it.
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Had a mechanic out last night. He managed to start it. Traced it to a faulty connection on the earth at the battery. I had fitted a simple rickbrook dis-car-nect immobilser to the same point and we think it's this causing the problems (it just won't keep tight.
I'm going to re-move it at the weekend and put the old clamp back on. Will then need to get a alarm fitted.
Thanks for all your help. Much appriciated.
Lee