Starting Issues - Golf GTI 1995

[owenscoresagain]

Sorry - realised my header was not too informative!

I wonder if anyone can offer some advice. We have a GTI that was having some issues starting. WD40 often seemed to work. But the problem got worse. We have changed the plugs, rotor arm, dizzy cap, HT leads. We then changed the coil. The coil we took off was cracked. When we tried to start it it started first time! Great. Took it for a spin. Great. Then we needed to go somewhere, it stalled and then it turned over but would just not fire. We called the AA - they tried with a different coil - same issue - would turn over but not fire. He checked plugs etc etc. He then determined there was no spark from the coil to the dizzy! He then tested the inputs and outputs to and from the coil - he said that all seemed ok! Now this is where it gets technical - he tested the plug that fits to the dizzy too - and said that was fine but this is a 'trigger' and it should work - no idea what he meant TBH. He then said that all seemed to be ok but that he4 did not believe that was the case and said we had a wiring problem and towed us home. We googled and from that replaced the ECU relay - when to try the  car but the battery was stone dead! No charging would bring live to it. Swapped battery and the car turned over but would not start. Got a new battery and same issue - have just tested and still no spark from the coil - have no idea what to do next and would welcome some advice.

[itavaltalainen]

ADY engine, does it get fuel?
if not this would suggest that either fuel pump relay (167) - you can bridge relay to test.... or crank sender is knackered....

[owenscoresagain]

Hi, thanks

Yes its ADY - but there is fuel getting through -

[itavaltalainen]

If you have fuel but not spark from the coil and have tried multiple coils then you need to check if you get a signal from the ECU to fire the coil.
I would recommend to check measuring blocks (=!/= fault codes) to make sure the crank sender and hall sender work correctly. Having fuel would sort of suggest you do... If they give ECU a signal but multiple coils won't fire then measure using a small oscilloscope if you get a signal on the coil. If not, check wiring from ECU (unplug ECU and check continuity from ECU loom plug to coil plug.

If you have continuity there then I would check with oscilloscope at ECU itself. No signal would suggest ECU ignition output stage is duff.

[owenscoresagain]

  Car into garage.....crank sensor and a faulty coil...

[owenscoresagain]

Fixed - including tow - £211

[Jasikasisback]

I had the same problem...sometimes the dizzy itself can get out of whack...I changed my coil and crank sensor at home first...although they were ok...it turned out the dizzy timing was off...so check that next time before .you take it to the garage....because any garage will say blah blah blah...change this change that...and it is really something that doesn't need any new parts at all...all they do is time everything right...why put a new coilpack in if you have just done that...doesn't make any sense..