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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: jmsheahan on 20 July 2011, 17:32
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Jumped in the car today to find it wouldn't turn over, zilch when you turn the key. I thought the battery had drained itself but just put a voltmeter on and it's registering 12.5. Unfortunately I don't have a proper multimeter (I have one of the ones with lights rather than a digital readout) but:
- I have a power reading at the coil
- I have a power reading at the starter motor (this is a month old)
- I can hear a clunk from the starter which I assume is the solenoid engaging
- I can hear the in tank pump kicking in when the ignition is turned on
- Battery seems fully healthy
- I have bright lights and everything electrical works
A bit weird as I've had no problems recently and the car was fine yesterday when I parked it up :huh:
Any ideas?
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Jumped in the car today to find it wouldn't turn over, zilch when you turn the key. I thought the battery had drained itself but just put a voltmeter on and it's registering 12.5. Unfortunately I don't have a proper multimeter (I have one of the ones with lights rather than a digital readout) but:
- I have a power reading at the coil
- I have a power reading at the starter motor (this is a month old)
- I can hear a clunk from the starter which I assume is the solenoid engaging
- I can hear the in tank pump kicking in when the ignition is turned on
- Battery seems fully healthy
- I have bright lights and everything electrical works
A bit weird as I've had no problems recently and the car was fine yesterday when I parked it up :huh:
Any ideas?
Put a socket and breaker bar on the bottom crank pully and try crank her over by hand clockwise as you face the pully. also is the starter genuine?
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Tried banging the starter?
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Starter is a genuine Bosch one and yeah I've tried whacking it to see if the solenoid is sticking.
Wouldn't be the ignition switch would it?
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Could also be associated earths or the ignition switch. Mine works fine 99.9999% of the time, but occasionally there's nothing on the last turn of the key. I have to try it a few times and thank god it always eventually goes. I've jus changed box and starter to 02a and its happened since, and my battery is a beast so I can rule all that out, I think mine may be my ign switch starting to fail. My bro's mk3 does exactly the same probably once a month, and I've tested continuity of all conductors, and checked m+e soundness of all associated connections etc etc
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Sorry for the noob question but if it were the switch would that stop power getting to the bay for the starter etc? Electrics are not my fortay!
Just managed to bump it so it's definitely electrical or the starter motor.
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Sorry for the noob question but if it were the switch would that stop power getting to the bay for the starter etc? Electrics are not my fortay!
Just managed to bump it so it's definitely electrical or the starter motor.
Well, set up a starter testing majig. Take a set of jump leads and do starter body earthed to neg battery terminal, positive to thick positive on end of starter then take a peice of wire and connect the positive to the other cable on the solenoid. Then dab the positive on the positive of the battery and try her. Not a very good explaination but this pic will help, also make sure she isnt in gear to avoid running yourself over :laugh:
(http://easyautodiagnostics.com/starter_motor_test/images/Starter-C.jpg)
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Sorry for the noob question but if it were the switch would that stop power getting to the bay for the starter etc? Electrics are not my fortay!
Just managed to bump it so it's definitely electrical or the starter motor.
Well, set up a starter testing majig. Take a set of jump leads and do starter body earthed to neg battery terminal, positive to thick positive on end of starter then take a peice of wire and connect the positive to the other cable on the solenoid. Then dab the positive on the positive of the battery and try her. Not a very good explaination but this pic will help, also make sure she isnt in gear to avoid running yourself over :laugh:
(http://easyautodiagnostics.com/starter_motor_test/images/Starter-C.jpg)
Cheers - plan of action for tomorrow.
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Try it tonight, it doesnt take 30 secs
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Fired up straight away with that trick.
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Fired up straight away with that trick.
Well then, with ignition on test the main live and neg cable with your multimeter and make sure it is 12v. Then make sure there is 12v comming from the engage switch (the thing that you put a wire to) and pretty soon you will have an idea of what is f**ked. You need somone to be actually trying to start the car when testing the engaging 12v
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Yep, as above its your switch or wiring to/from it
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My voltmeter is a piece of crap (going to borrow a proper one from my mate tomorrow) but from what I could gather the starter is getter 12.5V but as soon as you try to start the car it drops significantly. Will get readings tomorrow!
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Sorted - dodgy crimp on one of the battery wires. Thanks for the help :cool: