passat won't start!!

[vwdan80]

hi a have 1995 1.8 passat that will not start in the morning when the weather is really cold. i've tried jumping it but it doesn't want to know. but if i bump start it it will fire up straight away and be ok till the next morning, any ideas would be appreciated 

[rubjonny]

hmm, does it crank over strong?  if so, replace the ecu temp sensor. not sure which one it is on a passat, could be a 2 pin blue or a 4 pin black?

[Len]

vwdan - might be worth you joining UKPassats as well. 

[vwdan80]

it cranks over ok, it almost tries to start as you turn the key back from the cranking position, i have tried the temp sensor and ignition switch which haven't helped, i'm assuming that it has a voltage/wiring problem when its being cranked over.
thanks i'll uk passats as well. damn car!!! 

[rubjonny]

ah ok, this sounds like it could be an issue with the ignition switch, which unfortunately isn't easy to swap on the later models because of the spline adaptor!  The screw can just about be removed with a bent watchmaker screwdriver, so its doable but a bit fiddly.
I have found removing the entire column from the car makes this job easier:
1. remove lower ign cowl trim
2. disconnect all plugs to stalk & ign switch
3. undo and remove bolt joining steering rack UJ to bottom of column
4. pull wheel and it should come out with column still attached

Take care if it has an airbag, if so I'd disconnect the battery for 30seconds then remove airbag from wheel before you do anythign else. Its probably held to wheel with 2 allen bolts round the back, but not 100% sure on a Passat.


A quick n easy test to check if its the ign switch or not, buy a replacement and disconnect the ign switch plug from your car, plug into new switch. turn switch with screwdriver, if car starts its the switch, if not its something else!

[vwdan80]

Thanks for the info, i did buy a new ignition switch and did what you said to test it but it still didn't start, i'm assuming that there is a bit of poor wiring somewhere its just knowing where to start! i've heard there is a load relief relay on these so maybe that could be playing up! 

[rubjonny]

thats the one with 18 on the front, you could try pulling it out but i dont think it would help since it just turns off things like the blower, wipers and headlights when cranking. if these things are off anyway then it wont hep.

next thing to look at is the coil, see if you get 12v across tghe brown and black wires while the engine is cranking over

edit: actually we could be looking into this too much, perhaps its just the battery that isnt quite giving enough voltage when cranking in the cold?

[Diamond Hell]

edit: actually we could be looking into this too much, perhaps its just the battery that isnt quite giving enough voltage when cranking in the cold?

No sh*t - talk about looking for things that aren't there.

Have you checked the battery?  First question, shirley.

[Len]

Always my first port of call when a car wont start! 

[vwdan80]

Hi all thanks for all ur suggestions. think i've sorted the problem finally, someone told me that when the ballast resistors for the coil play up this gives the same symptoms as my car so i changed the coil pack and the car has been good as gold so far!