car not starting properly

[rubjonny]

ok  it does sound like a volt drain!
have a look at things like the boot light, make sure it switches off properly, and disconnect the stereo.  look for any dodgy wiring, and if you have an alarm that could be a suspect also

[julie]

yeah it does have an alarm the problem started when the head gasket went dont know how that would of affected anything

[julie]

its a clifford concept 650 alarm. like i say problem started when i was driving along heard a wierd noise pulled over waited for other half to come and have a look wouldnt start had to jump start it,wasnt firing right,head gasket had gone and since it has been replaced doesnt like starting?

[bluestreak56]

I have a similar problem with my Scirocco which has a Mk2 Golf KR lump (16v GTI) engine..

Battery drains about 0.4v daily on mine - get a voltmeter and measure the voltage across the battery terminals when its standing as well as when the engine is running.

As DarnPB stated it should be 13.8v to 14.4v when running and 12.4v+ when standing (thats 75% charged)

http://www.iol.ie/~kilkennyhockey/BentleyManual/EE01/ch4.1.2.html

Mine has a problem starting on cold start only the first time for about 15 second it cant idle properly and sometimes dies.

I would say with the clock issue and the fact when you throttle it is ok its not a starter issue as it does start.

To check for a parasitic drain (battery draining when the car is standing) leave the car standing for a while without use and check the voltage once a day.

Also its worth checking to see if the battery is duff. Charge it full using a battery charger and leave it out of the car checking its voltage daily also.

If you're still having problems you're in the same boat as me..

If you like you can have a read of my thread to see if any of it is useful:

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=101482.10

[julie]

just tryed to start car not having any of it problem seems to be getting worse,happening more oftern the battery was charged on sun and only used the car twice this week. checked the boot light and glove box they arnt staying on?

[rubjonny]

Try a battery drain check:
To check for voltage leaks, set your multi meter to measure amps and take off the negative battery terminal. using one lead touch the - battery terminal and with the other lead touch the - terminal wire. Do this with the igniton off and make sure the doors & boot are closed.

If the reading is high then disconnect fuses untill the reading drops down, it may just be your battery is knackered though.  If you have a way to switch off your alarm try that, I had same problem in my girlfriends polo so i switched off the alrm unit (had a key on the side) no problems since.