GTi 16v (ABF) Starting Issues, hot and cold, video inside

[AdamR]

Hello all,

After a bit more help please!

I've spent a load of time tweaking/mending stuff to try and get my car to start reliably but sometimes it just doesn't want to know! It runs really well once started, no misfires etc.

I've done/checked:

- Battery voltage (fully charged a few days ago, sits around 12.5 even after a few freezing cold nights/days without using the car)
- Alternator (voltage jumps to well over 14 when car is running)
- New HT leads
- New vac lines
- New ECU and fuel pump relays
- Cleaned all earths and connections to starter motor
- Checked ignition coil, found a couple of small cracks in the casing, dried it out, siliconed the cracks over and left it in the house overnight to make sure it didn't get damp again

Here is a video of what it's doing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdbWH57q3GA

Every time the car fails to start it resets the clock and MFA. Sometimes it'll do funny things like randomly wind both the windows down too... There is an aftermarket alarm/immobiliser fitted to the car, I am wondering if this might be the source of the problems?

I'm kinda losing patience with it so any suggestions of what to try next would be much appreciated! I'm gonna try finding the alarm/immobiliser wires and disconnect that right now, then come back in a bit to see if anyone has any other ideas...

Thanks,
Adam

[Christo77]

Hi.. you may have answered you own question, that of the aftermarket alarm.. apparently there was one on mine just previous to purchase but the owner had it stripped out as it was causing problems.

The coil you mention i'd simply replace it if it's cracked in anyway.

See how you go, you'll get there

[AdamR]

Thanks mate - yeah I plan to get a new coil anyway (heading to Euro Car Parts now), was just trying to bodge it to see if it solved the problem!

I'll give the alarm thing a go and report back, cheers again!

[Christo77]

No worries ole chap..
The coils can be a mystery and can fail when you least expect it, i replaced mine even though the original item was seemingly ok..it's a piece of mind thing 

[rubjonny]

if dash is going blank then you are loosing battery voltage, sounds to me like you have a duff battery and/or the alarm is draining the battery. had the very same in our polo mk3, as soon as i disabled the alarm no more flat battery

[AdamR]

Well just a quick update - changed the coil and it was still the same. Jump started it from another car (had to get it on ramps to look at the exhaust too), and something twigged... if it starts fine when it's jumped, then it can't be the immobiliser!

Changed the battery and it turns over much more strongly now, and starts first time every time (even from cold/damp). I'll keep an eye on the voltage to see if the alarm is draining it, but fingers crossed it's sorted now! Big no thanks to Hellfrauds who did a battery check for me a few weeks ago and said it was fine  

Thanks guys!