Author Topic: Non Starter...now fixed!!  (Read 795 times)

Offline e11ie

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 279
Non Starter...now fixed!!
« on: 05 April 2009, 21:22 »
The old beast wouldnt start for me the other night after driving 30 miles home from work, but started fine the next morning and has done since, till today....started in the morn then drove round town, came home, went to start it again and nothing....

The engine doesn't even turn over but I can hear the ISV whirring and there is a sparking sound coming from the same area. All the ignition lights come on including the radio. I tried smacking the starter but no joy and wiped the contacts on the dizzy but still no joy.

The thing that puzzles me is it has only happened when the engine is proper hot, but it isn't a regular thing.

Haynes says something about earth straps and the one from my rocker cover is a bit worn but I wouldnt have put it down to this as I have seen much worse.....is there anything else I am totally overlooking?

its a 8v GTI Digifant, PB engine code

Cheers, Ellie


Fixed......took it off and the earth from the soleniod to the starter motor just disintegrated in my hand so bodged some wire together and fixed it to the two points...while I was there I also cleaned up the starter and re-greased it all and bob's your uncle started first time!   :smiley: cheers guys
« Last Edit: 06 April 2009, 16:45 by e11ie »

Offline nealey

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,062
Re: Non Starter
« Reply #1 on: 05 April 2009, 22:15 »
my immediate thought was the soleniod sticking in the starter motor

Offline Ben Lessani

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,873
  • The poor mans MK2 Haynes author
Re: Non Starter
« Reply #2 on: 05 April 2009, 22:19 »
If its not even turning over, it has to be the starter. Be it either the motor or the solenoid.

When its the motor, you normally hear a click from the solenoid, then a groan from the motor.
If its the solenoid - you won't hear anything.

Check the battery > gearbox and battery > chassis earth. Then check the battery > solenoid +ve.

Refurbed starters are buttons, if you replace, fit a new bell housing bush too!

Offline e11ie

  • Here all the time
  • ****
  • Posts: 279
Re: Non Starter
« Reply #3 on: 05 April 2009, 22:29 »
Yeah i've been reading ben's project where he refurbs his starter so might give this a whir...

Just been out and tried it again and still no luck. There is def no clicking from the starter, just the initial whir when you turn from ignition to "on", then the same sort of noise when you hold the key "on" and that's it!

Offline Benrevs

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 790
Re: Non Starter
« Reply #4 on: 05 April 2009, 22:30 »
Could also be the ignition switch. Run a lenght of wire from the positive on the battery to the solenoid on the starter, if it fires your switch is duff. Ben