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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 20:33

Title: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 20:33
following my cars previous problems, was on way home today dash lights flickered and engine juddered.

pulled over and wont start. Got a tow back.

 :angry: :angry:
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: dai-cymru on 16 August 2008, 20:36
my mate had this on his tdi turned out to be the clocks on his.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 21:27
Interesting.

If it was battery problems would car judder whilst driving?

Tim
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: dai-cymru on 16 August 2008, 21:32
was the battery light coming on? does the car turn over but not fire or is it very slow to turn over?
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 21:38
When I turn the key, nothing but a loud click. And then the guages go funny and reset themselves.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: dai-cymru on 16 August 2008, 21:40
sounds like alternator/battery thats what the click is, the clocks going mad is because there not receiving power, do you have acess to a multimeter?
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: richw911 on 16 August 2008, 21:41
When I turn the key, nothing but a loud click. And then the guages go funny and reset themselves.

alternator  :undecided:
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 21:45
Not at moment but battery was getting 13V (roughly) last week.


How can I check the alternator?
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: richw911 on 16 August 2008, 21:48
Not at moment but battery was getting 13V (roughly) last week.


How can I check the alternator?


Charge the battery or use jump leads to get it running. Then use a multimeter on the batt when its running should be 14v +
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 21:49
Not at moment but battery was getting 13V (roughly) last week.


How can I check the alternator?


Charge the battery or use jump leads to get it running. Then use a multimeter on the batt when its running should be 14v +

did that last week.

Something interesting:

(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y146/Imagewerx/TEST/FUSE1.jpg)

My one of those is all soldered down and doesn't look very nice. Worth disconnecting cleaning up and so on. That bolt that holds down is higher than the rest...

Tim
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: dai-cymru on 16 August 2008, 21:52
if you got a meter put it across battery and get someone to crank it over if it drops really low (which it will by the sounds of it) you know it's battery. hard to check alternator without it running need to jump start it put the meter across it when running then (take jump leads off) should be charging 13.5v to 14.5v approx any lower and it's not charging if your getting that then the battery is stuffed and not holding charge. :sad:
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: richw911 on 16 August 2008, 21:53
Yeah defo try that, Also check the earth strap from the batt to the body could well be corroded  :smiley:
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: dai-cymru on 16 August 2008, 21:54
sounds like bad previos repair, perhaps not getting good contact at at that fuse connection
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 21:56
if you got a meter put it across battery and get someone to crank it over if it drops really low (which it will by the sounds of it) you know it's battery. hard to check alternator without it running need to jump start it put the meter across it when running then (take jump leads off) should be charging 13.5v to 14.5v approx any lower and it's not charging if your getting that then the battery is stuffed and not holding charge. :sad:

But waht I posted last time would make sense. Alternator not getting power to charge the battery. I'm not very good with engines and electrics just working to rule things out.

Apparently the car only needs the battery to start, in that case, mine started ok to drive, then the alternator wouldn't support the power needed and therefore the loss of power. This could be caused by that cable I posted which wouldn't let the alternator function. :undecided:

I shall get a picture in the morning.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 21:57
sounds like bad previos repair, perhaps not getting good contact at at that fuse connection

Maybe so.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 16 August 2008, 22:17
I wonder where that black cable comes from or if it's part of the loom?

Tim
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 17 August 2008, 10:27
Still won't start  :angry:

May go and buy a new battery and a multimeter to check alternator.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: kcolevol on 17 August 2008, 10:49
I had this happen to me!! see if your car starts with a jump, if it does, then its the battery, i had mine go with no warning at all, got a new battery and its been fine for 3 months now!!!
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 17 August 2008, 10:55
It's going back to the garage on Tuesday as they'll contribute half to the battery as part of the warranty.

They can find the fault and repair it.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: leeroy20vt on 17 August 2008, 10:58
m8 u aint havin much luck with this r u hope u get it sorted m8 poxy cars huh
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 17 August 2008, 11:13
m8 u aint havin much luck with this r u hope u get it sorted m8 poxy cars huh

Yup. Low loader is going to cost a fortune too. :angry:
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: dai-cymru on 17 August 2008, 15:28
m8 u aint havin much luck with this r u hope u get it sorted m8 poxy cars huh

Yup. Low loader is going to cost a fortune too. :angry:

anyway a mate can tow you on a fixed bar save s few pennies
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 17 August 2008, 15:32
m8 u aint havin much luck with this r u hope u get it sorted m8 poxy cars huh

Yup. Low loader is going to cost a fortune too. :angry:

anyway a mate can tow you on a fixed bar save s few pennies

Called in a favour for the low loader so not too bad now.

Going in on Tuesday but had someone look at it and think it's the fuse on top of the battery blown because the alternator putting out too much voltage. Therefore a new alternator, fuse bit thingy and possibly a battery instead of a remap.

 :angry:
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: dai-cymru on 17 August 2008, 15:41
defo need a new battery if it's been overcharging for a while. It shouldnt be to expensive as not that labour intensive to change alternator/battery just price of the parts more than anything  :sad:
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 17 August 2008, 15:44
defo need a new battery if it's been overcharging for a while. It shouldnt be to expensive as not that labour intensive to change alternator/battery just price of the parts more than anything  :sad:

Well my car has an engine and gearbox warranty, but if it's not under that then the garage pay half. So shouldn't be too bad but i'm going to try and convince them it was no good when I bought it.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: dai-cymru on 17 August 2008, 15:46
check if it covers engine ancillaries as thats what the alternator will be under, hopefully be all done free of charge :smiley:
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: leeroy20vt on 17 August 2008, 16:29
m8 u aint havin much luck with this r u hope u get it sorted m8 poxy cars huh

Yup. Low loader is going to cost a fortune too. :angry:
if u get really stuck i got a recovery truck on my drive m8 il do it for a few pennies lol
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 17 August 2008, 16:56
m8 u aint havin much luck with this r u hope u get it sorted m8 poxy cars huh

Yup. Low loader is going to cost a fortune too. :angry:
if u get really stuck i got a recovery truck on my drive m8 il do it for a few pennies lol

thats very helpful to know mate, cheers!
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: AlanD on 17 August 2008, 20:17
Tim, gutted for ya mate.

If the car is still under warranty how comes you are having to pay half? My coil packs went a few weeks after I got my MK4 and they replaced them all for free under the warranty. Surely this is the same thing?
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 17 August 2008, 21:29
Tim, gutted for ya mate.

If the car is still under warranty how comes you are having to pay half? My coil packs went a few weeks after I got my MK4 and they replaced them all for free under the warranty. Surely this is the same thing?

From an independant garage and it says on the warranty as that :angry:. however I'm going to fight for every penny back as obviously the car wasn't in saleable condition when I purchased it.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: AlanD on 17 August 2008, 21:55
Very true, this sounds as if its all come along since the monsoon that was Brands Hatch this month and that crack. Definitely tell them about the crack and it being the root to all these problems. Hope you get things sorted mate.
Title: Re: Broken
Post by: T_J_G on 18 August 2008, 10:48
Very true, this sounds as if its all come along since the monsoon that was Brands Hatch this month and that crack. Definitely tell them about the crack and it being the root to all these problems. Hope you get things sorted mate.

Hmm, I don't know to be honest mate.

Yeah the crack made my floor wet but I think the alternator may have been on its way out anyway. the fuse looks like it's been bodged before so we shall see. I'm going to call the orevious owner see if they had any problems. It'll be back at the garage tomorrow so we shall see what they say.

Tim