My 1996 VW Golf Cabriolet has an intermittant starting problem

[suanfranham]

I have an N Reg VW Golf Cabriolet, 109,000 miles. The engine goes well and she has just passed her MOT with great emissions. However, there is an intermittant fault with starting. She can start beautifully for a few weeks and then for no apparent reason (all types of weather, regardless of time used). She can start again after 120 minutes wait or not until the next day, it is rarely longer than 24 hours. This week she failed to start again and she was towed to a garage , still not starting - a first. They felt it might be the coil, but by the time the part arrived she was starting again. The part was fitted Monday under trial, Tuesday morning she failed to start. This morning (Wedds) she started at 07:00, then didn't at 08:00, then started at 08:30. The garage are putting the old coil back but are at a loss. It is happening more frequently but no one appears to have an answer. Apparently there is no spark. Is this a common problem, do you have any ideas? Sue

[mattkh]

Hi
Try a new ignitiion switch.

[Wayne]

Not sure what engine you have but could be your coil pack.

[01664gti]

I thought they had changed the coil? have you got an immobiliser ??

 could the chip key or ecu be at fault

[suanfranham]

Hi - I'm new to this so apologies if I use the wrong terminology.

I don't have an immobiliser and the coil was changed Monday only for the car not to start yesterday.  It has gone weeks between incidents and it is hard to diagnose as there appears to be no pattern to the problem - weatherwise, mileage, time used.

Very frustrating as she goes like a dream once the engine has started!

[Wayne]

I am sure yours has a built in immobiliser it could be that playing up.

[GOD]

my vr6 has a simalar prob never got to the bottom of it when it does it no ignition light come on does your do anything like that

[suanfranham]

I am sure yours has a built in immobiliser it could be that playing up.

I had the immobiliser removed on another non-starting day

[suanfranham]

my vr6 has a simalar prob never got to the bottom of it when it does it no ignition light come on does your do anything like that

Not sure - I'll have a look once the gararge have returned her with the old coil re-fitted - at least I'm getting my money back for that.

Someone has suggested the crank sensor - what do you think?

S

[Len]

Could be.


But first try all the vacuum hoses, especially the crank case breather and the hose from throttle body up to ECU.
Make sure they are clear and have no leaks.

Then check ECU relay.

If those dont solve it then go further and maybe get a VAGcom check.