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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: chippy3 on 07 November 2012, 15:18
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Alright guys
The other day i was driving back from a mates house, and my car died on me. Upon inspection, my fuel feeder had popped out, so i placed that back. Once, i done that the car wouldnt start, being me, i thought it could be something ill never be able to fix. So i called the RAC, turned out it was my negative terminal on battery which was a bit loose :embarrassed:. He advised me to change it as it was rotting, also told me about my starter solenoid, was a bit corroded but, told me this shouldnt affect the car starting up.
The next day i sorted out my fuel feed properly, made sure it was secure. I managed to source another neagtive terminal lead with the earth attached from another mk2. when i attached this, the car doesnt seem to start! ive got electricity, the lights, radio work etc. however, when i try n start the car it just doesnt want to. The battery is about a month old. and it recently had been serviced.
Can u guys advise me on the problem? im no mechanic but, i dont mind getting my hands dirty and know some basics.
Cheers
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Have you checked for spark & Fuel?, When you try to crank it, do you smell fuel, can you hear the fuel pump prime?
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Have you checked for spark & Fuel?, When you try to crank it, do you smell fuel, can you hear the fuel pump prime?
thanks for the reply. i cant smell fuel but, i do hear the fuel pump prime.
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Battery drained from the bad earth? check what voltages you're getting from the terminals?
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i dont have a multimeter so i wouldnt be able to check im afraid! :sad:
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Go online they are cheap and usefull even for testing out fueses on the car I'm sure Maplins do a cheap one?
It is possible that the starter is earthing out and draining the battery if RAC thinks it on its way out?
Failing that try and borrow a working battery and see if it makes any difference?
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Well the guy said its corroding a little, but not enough to affect my car starting. Could i try jump starting it?
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I would try and bump start it first if you can get it going its defo electrical if not then you will need to investigate a bit further?
Does it crank over when trying to start or does it just click and starter not engaging?
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You mean it doesnt crank over? - If so is the black/red wire to starter connected? Terminal clean?
You can jump that terminal (not wire) to the main red on the starter and it will crank over.
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I would try and bump start it first if you can get it going its defo electrical if not then you will need to investigate a bit further?
Does it crank over when trying to start or does it just click and starter not engaging?
Ok. it just clicks when i turn the key mate.
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You mean it doesnt crank over? - If so is the black/red wire to starter connected? Terminal clean?
You can jump that terminal (not wire) to the main red on the starter and it will crank over.
Yes mate. As i said to clipperjay, when i turn the key it just clicks. the black/red wire is connected. the terminal is a bit rusted to be honest.
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Sounds like battery is toast, get another fully charged one on it first. Even if you have to borrow one.
If it starts you need a voltmeter to determine if the alternator is charging it or there is some sort of drain on the battery from an earthing point? Without a volt meter we all shooting in the dark, but battery sounds toast if starter motor was okay and checked by RAC dude?
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Sounds like battery is toast, get another fully charged one on it first. Even if you have to borrow one.
If it starts you need a voltmeter to determine if the alternator is charging it or there is some sort of drain on the battery from an earthing point? Without a volt meter we all shooting in the dark, but battery sounds toast if starter motor was okay and checked by RAC dude?
Ok, ill give that a go tomorrow. And ill try and get hold of a voltimeter too. Well, all the RAC guy said was my starter was a little corroded i did question whether it would affect when i start my car, but he said it should be fine. the reason why the car didnt start up when i first broke down, was simply because of the rotting terminal was sitting properly on the battery, with a lil adjustment, he managed to get it on. and the car drove home fine.
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Sounds like it could be corrosion on the main feed to the starter. Either at the battery end or at the main terminal at the starter. Make sure they are both clean with emery cloth.
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Starter solenoid stuck??
Give the starter motor a tap with something hard and try starting.
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This morning, i cleaned my earths with some emery cloth and the main feed to the starter. Gave the starter motor a tap. The car did try and crank over once but, nothing. after several more attempts at tapping the starter motor when i try and started the car all it did was click
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The click is most likely the solenoid.
When the solenoid comes in it closes a pair of contacts feeding the starter. So it can only be a bad joint at one of the two places I've said or the contacts in the solenoid.
If you put a multimeter set on 20volts dc across the two big terminals on the starter and get someone to operate the starter there should be no voltage shown if the contact is good. My guess is you will have !2 volts shown. Proving the contact is fecked.
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Just a warning about jump starting from another car, this could cause a spike in the ECU rendering it useless, it's better to use a boost pack or a new battery.
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Turns out it was my starter motor which was shagged! :rolleyes:
New one will be arriving tomorrow :smiley: