intermittent hard start on golf mk4 1.6 16v with the AZD code.??

[sps]

the car is an early  petrol 2002 golf mk4 1.6 16v with the AZD code.

it intermittently refuses to start and then eventually starts after continuous cranking.

i notice this happens more often when the car is warm/hot.

the previous owner had the crankshaft speed sensor replaced and it had a full major service 3 yrs ago when the air filter,spark plugs,air filter,oil; filter and cambelt/waterpump were all replaced.

i note he even had the starter motor replaced.

no fault codes come up on vag.com

the car has done 75k miles form new.

what are the possible causes for this?

[mike1990]

Engine temperature sensor?

[sps]

is this the same as the engine coolant temperature sensor or is it another one?
where is it located?

[mike1990]

Yes it's the coolant temperature sensor

Red circle

[sps]

i looked at the sensor and it a new green one as opposed to black body one which were prone are to early failure.

[xtetx]

change the temp sensor and you will be fine. Mine did this and it was soo annoying. get a genuine one though.