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General => New forum members => Topic started by: vfr_widget on 21 April 2010, 19:21

Title: Registered at last.
Post by: vfr_widget on 21 April 2010, 19:21

Having been lurking on here for a few years I've finally got around to registering  :rolleyes:

I know I should have registered sooner and "put something back" but I've been heavily involved on another forum and have only had time to dip in here for the excellent information and resources.

Sadly my reason for registering is because my 1998 Mk3 GTi has had a wiring loom fault (melted cables courtesy of the AA) and I now need to dispose of the car as it is uneconomic for me to repair.

I've had the car since new and she/it/he is in excellent condition for the age both internally and externally.  In view of this I believed that someone on here would rather take the car on as a project (or strip it for spares)  than for me to have it scrapped.

Title: Re: Registered at last.
Post by: SoundillusioN on 21 April 2010, 23:33

Hi.... Should have joined earlier, someone may have been able to help! are you selling up then?

Title: Re: Registered at last.
Post by: mick ov mids on 21 April 2010, 23:41

welcome to the forum dude, if your is fooked courtesy of the AA can u not get tradeing standards involved and claim for the damage? also add pics of ya car and a price?

Title: Re: Registered at last.
Post by: vfr_widget on 22 April 2010, 14:36

Thanks for the welcome.

I know I should have joined earlier but I doubt in this instance the collective wisdom would have been much help.

Proving that the AA were/are at fault is nigh-on impossible - until the root cause is discovered which will take too much time.

The car was working fine.  My wife stopped at her parents house and when she came to restart it, it wouldn't.  It would turn over but not fire.

I called the AA out and after much investigation and head-scratching the patrol-man decided to try a new coil.  The car started with a new coil.  The old one was too hot to hold.

Having started the car with the new coil 'hanging free' the patrol-man then fitted it in position against the bulkhead and attached the earthing strap.  We then tried to restart the car.  A burning smell and then puffs of smoke as part of the wiring loom melted.

So something was shorting to earth and bits of the loom were melted.  Until the loom is repaired it will be v. difficult/impossible to identify the fault - which probably caused the original coil to blow.

We'd been thinking of changing the car anyway and have now bought a replacement so I will be disposing of it, which is a shame because I've enjoyed the car.

I will start a new thread in the appropriate section with photos.  I just need some time...

In the meantime it is a 5 door 1998 Mk3 2.0l 8v GTi in British Racing Green.  114k miles with one "careful"  :rolleyes: owner.  MOT 'til Feb '11 and FSH.

I am sure that a keen/experienced auto-electrician will be able to fix the melted bits of the loom.

Title: Re: Registered at last.
Post by: GOLF_STU on 22 April 2010, 23:03

weclcome  :smiley:

Title: Re: Registered at last.
Post by: jonnyturbo on 01 May 2010, 18:47

Welcome to the site :smiley:

Title: Re: Registered at last.
Post by: northeast_gti-t on 01 May 2010, 19:00

Hello and welcome  :smiley:

Title: Re: Registered at last.
Post by: Sam on 01 May 2010, 21:53

welcome mate! have fun  :laugh:

Title: Re: Registered at last.
Post by: vfr_widget on 06 May 2010, 17:30

Well I've finally got around to getting my pictures transferred to 'tinterweb.

So my car is now up for sale here *Mk3 Golf GTi 5dr 8v 1998/R British Racing Green (non-runner)* (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=154053.msg1413954#msg1413954)