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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: takethefifth on 26 December 2005, 17:49

Title: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: takethefifth on 26 December 2005, 17:49
Hi all, just hoping you could have a look at this and see if there is anything worth mentioning that i haven't considered... 

Since about a week ago - and this happened quite suddenly - my '88 gti 8v has gone from starting on the button to me having to hold the throttle down fully and crank it to get it to start. Admittedly its got cold but the suddeness makes me think something has gone. When i do start it, on idle it runs massively roughly like its on 3 cylinders or something but when revved its fine (apart from the idle taking a while to drop). Sounds like i have some kind of racing cam in there or something!

Blue temp sensor was changed with a gsf part a couple of months ago, dizzy cap was done a month ago and xmas eve eve (after the starting problerm happened) i changed the plugs and leads (for beru ones and what a great fit! :smiley:).

When i investigated i found an earth wire had come off, not a main one but a brown/black one from inside a sheath connecting to the side of the block. Reconnected it, but made no difference. Wondering if this could have caused something electrical to blow.
Also have a hunting idle problem which i would guess may or may not be connected but has become a lot worse since.

So.... I am planning next to change the blue temp sensor again first and then the coil. Can't see any obvious vacuum leaks but was thinking i might clean my isv and change the rocker cover gasket while i am on.

I was wondering if anyone else has any gems of wisdom they could give me?

I'm off for the week and really want to sort it before i need the car again, its damn embarassing sitting there cranking it in a crowded place and eventually my battery will have to give out!

Cheers and of course - Merry Boxing Day!
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: Tornado on 26 December 2005, 19:23
Hi there

I have exactly the same problem. I have replaced dizzy cap, leads, rotor arm,temp sensor even the ecu!
Also cleaned throttle body and ISV and still idles really poorly but accelerates hard.  Going to get timing done properly to see if that helps.
Watch this space.
Alan
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: rubjonny on 27 December 2005, 15:12
Check the idle switch is making a connection when the throttle is closed, if not loosen the screws and adjust it so that it just clicks when the throttle is closed.  It's located underneath the throttle body and you have to take the intake boot off to get to it.  Even then the screws are realy awkward, I ended up tapping it gently with a hammer :)
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: takethefifth on 30 December 2005, 23:46
Well i fitted the new coil, checked both the switches on the throttle body, cleaned the isv, checked my earths, vacuum lines and pcv. Got it all together and.... no difference!

I didn't check the blue temp sender before i did this as it was fitted new from gsf about 6 weeks ago. I checked the resistance against the chart in the bentley manual and i think its screwed.

So with the sender connected the car starts like a dog, runs like a dog and is generally awful. It misses and hops and idle is all over the place.

With the sensor disconnected it starts fine, won't idle cold (to be expected) but idles perfectly when hot and runs generally well. Nice and powerhappy again but just not quite perfectly smooth. (i am guessing its unhappy that i have the sensor disconnected.

Surely thats the sensor?  Theres a genuine vw one ordered anyway so we shall see.  And does anyone know if will cause any problems driving the car with the sensor disconnected. VW can't get one till wednesday.  :sad:
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: rubjonny on 31 December 2005, 12:10
With the sensor disconnected the ecu will run in a 'safe' mode I believe so you wont get the best mpg out of it, and as you've found out starting from cold will be tricky :)
Mine is doing something similar, I find that it will never fire on the first turn of the key, but just constantly turn over.  If I then stop, prime the pump again & turn the key it will fire straight up!  This also happened to me overnight after messing about trying to get a timing light hooked up, so would be interesting to know what your solution turns out to be!
I've also just bought a blue temp sender from VW as well :)
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: Mr Blue on 04 January 2006, 17:44
i get this once or twice. Check your ignition moduel and relays

My ignition mod blew and i put a relay in the wrong socket. The engine sounded tappety till i fitted it in the right socket. sounds wierd but worth a shot
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: rubjonny on 04 January 2006, 18:51
Just an update, the blue temp sender solved my starting issues, so get down to VW and buy one!

Only costs about £11, and if they ask, yes it is the blue one, that says 'for cars equipped with catalyst' as it says on ETKA :)
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: takethefifth on 04 January 2006, 19:52
Well it should be ready to pick up from my local stealership on Friday.....  Fingers crossed eh?  If not then i guess its onto the relays!!

I'll let you know if it sorts the job.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: marcogolfo on 05 January 2006, 18:26
got a part number for this blue sensor?
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: mallydgti on 05 January 2006, 21:04
You dont need the part number, only a couple listed, one red and one blue the black is for the temp gauge, the blue one is on ETKA as being for a golf gti 2 with Catalyst, but it is the right one.
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: rubjonny on 05 January 2006, 22:20
Its 025 906 041 A :)
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: takethefifth on 07 January 2006, 01:43
Right finally job done. Swapped the sensor today and its all running sweet as a nut again.  :cool: With the new coil, leads, sparks, oil and filter i would even say better!

Had a bit of a nightmare though, after an hour of trying to figure out why the sensor wouldn't seal the water in anymore I had to thank rubjonny who confirmed that there should have been a rubber o ring in there.... DUH.  In my attempt to change it without draining the coolant the water pushed out the o ring when i took the sensor out. I so concerned with all the water coming out i didn't notice the o ring jump out and lodge itself behind the distributor.  :grin: Cheers Jonny!

So morals of the story -1.  I don't trust GSF temp sensors (VAG one was 9.52+Vat) and 2. Don't lose the o ring!
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: ANDY597 on 07 January 2006, 09:34
Check out my previous post, exactly the same issue thats going on here.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=32086.10

I think these GSF blue senders are the route of the problem,  my car has never ran so bad. Fitted the GSF just before christmas.

Have also discoverd that its started leaking this morning, and its not just a dribble.  It cant be helping matters that all that moisture is kicking about my bits.

Called the stealership last week and they said it was in stock,  so went straight down there to pick one up but they said they hadnt had one of them for ages.  I was furious.

Its been ordered and it due in today,   the missus is going to pick it up, so I hope she remembers the new rubber O-ring that goes with it.

Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: ANDY597 on 08 January 2006, 14:39
Fitted the new blue sender today,  vag part.

Car started first turn of the key and ran, sweet as a nut.

Now noticed the black Gsf temp sender that controls the temp gauge is now leaking too.  You guessed it,  from Gsf that I fitted at the same time as the last blue one.

GSF are now off my christmas card list.

Cheers
A
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: takethefifth on 08 January 2006, 14:45
 :laugh: and mine!  :grin:
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: 1985sport on 11 January 2006, 22:28
which switch is this one? - i.e. where is it located?
 
ive been trying to think when my "warm starting" problem started and it was around the time i changed my radiator and the little thermoswitch at the bottom (although i thought that this was for the fan).

Re: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=32190.0

thanks,

1985sport
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: takethefifth on 11 January 2006, 22:40
The little thermoswitch on the bottom of the radiator is the fan.  For a digifant engine the one we changed is on the water inlet on the front of the block. There are two temp sensors next to each other. Black one for the dash reading and a blue one for the ecu and cold start functions.
Title: Re: Starting problems - just checking....
Post by: 1985sport on 12 January 2006, 11:49
cheers tt5th. thats helped a lot actually as that area is all a mess!

nice car by the way - nice and standard body, just as we like it!


1985sport