GolfGTIforum.co.uk

General => The garage => Topic started by: san on 15 February 2008, 16:03

Title: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: san on 15 February 2008, 16:03
I have a 97 gti mk3 16v abf, and the car wont start. It fires up but straight away cuts out and then wont start at all. Ive checked spark, fuel pump primes, I just cant figure out what it could be. Would appreciate any help.
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: DazVR6 on 15 February 2008, 20:49
Crankshaft position sensor.
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: ben44 on 16 February 2008, 20:36
possible factory imobilizer problem? with the vw immobilizer it will let the car run for three seconds then cut out. try using your spare key!
if not then, crank position sensor or ecu relay............

 :smiley:
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: rubjonny on 18 February 2008, 11:56
yeah sounds exactly like an immobilisor fault, get yourself a vag-com cable and a laptop, no point fubling around in the dark when you can just click a buttoin and have it tell you whats up ;)
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: ben44 on 18 February 2008, 21:18
no point fubling around in the dark when you can just click a buttoin and have it tell you whats up ;)

if only working women out was this easy!
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: somerset_vdub on 19 February 2008, 17:34

 check ur throttle body

  i needed a sensor on mine to ensure it never cutout again.

   it seems to be a big problem and a b!tch to get right
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: san on 19 February 2008, 21:54
After cranking the engine for 2 or 3 minutes it eventually started but sounded lumpy and had a misfire. I pressed the accelerator and it just died. It started again eventually and I left it running for a while to warm up and it sounded a lot smoother. Took it for a spin and it seemed to run fine but on gear change the revs stay up for a second.  Also when revving the car on idle the revs seem to go back down slowly. The same starting problem happens when the engine is cold. Ive changed the ecu temp sensor, crank sensor, spark plugs, then I had it plugged into VAGCOM but no faults came up.  :angry:
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: DazVR6 on 20 February 2008, 00:29
After cranking the engine for 2 or 3 minutes it eventually started but sounded lumpy and had a misfire. I pressed the accelerator and it just died. It started again eventually and I left it running for a while to warm up and it sounded a lot smoother. Took it for a spin and it seemed to run fine but on gear change the revs stay up for a second.  Also when revving the car on idle the revs seem to go back down slowly. The same starting problem happens when the engine is cold. Ive changed the ecu temp sensor, crank sensor, spark plugs, then I had it plugged into VAGCOM but no faults came up.  :angry:

So have you changed the ecu and fuel pump relays..? if not then they are numbered 30 and 167 and cost about £20 for both from the stealers.
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: Pete Taylor on 20 February 2008, 09:19
Check the vac hose that runs from the top corner of the inlet manifold, through the bulkhead to the ECU
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: sk8boy73 on 24 February 2008, 23:24
had this prob myself.
mine was the brown thiing around the ignition barrel(not sure what its called)
it picks up the signal from the chip in the key.
what i had to do was trace the wire from it to the box just under the dash near the steering column.
you need to move this wire away from all the other wires>
apparently it picks up interfearance from the other wires!
sounds wired but it worked on mine and it has never not started since
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: san on 03 March 2008, 23:46
Don't know how on earth my engine is still in one piece! The oil pump was knackered. It wasnt returning the oil from the hydraulic followers in the cylinder head as the oil return valve was seized, leaving the valves open. Changed the oil pump today and it sounds so much better and runs a lot smoother. Thanks anyway for your help :smiley:
Title: Re: ABF mk3 16v starting problem
Post by: rubjonny on 04 March 2008, 09:57
well arn't you a lucky boy!