mark 3 gti non starter

[nightnurse]

help please before my husband calls the scrap yard. i have a 1996 gti, which ran like a dream until 6 weeks ago. out of the blue it wouldnt start, and after much head scratching between home grown mechanics, we replaced the engine.( not sure why, i am a girl! ) it ran briefly then died again. now it has a new fuel pump in the tank and fuel filter, and a new ignition switch. what on earth can it be? if i dont have an answer soon, hes going to break her for parts, as i have now spent a small fortune. please help!!

[locin78]

get it plugged into vagcom that may help it could well be your ecu did he change the ecu when he change the engine???

[gtigolfthree]

+1 see what vagcom throws up and post the results. Welcome to the site by the way. 

[nightnurse]

hi, no he didnt change the ecu, but it did run for a while after the engine was changed. wot on earth is vagcom?  sounds painful?

[Wayne]

Immob. problem maybe.

[gtigolfthree]

hi, no he didnt change the ecu, but it did run for a while after the engine was changed. wot on earth is vagcom?  sounds painful?

He he its a computer that you plug into the dash and it reads fault codes, any vw garage and lots of other garages will do it for a small fee. 

[Mikester]

Ok.

Well for a start do the dash lights come on when you turn the key?

If so, does it turn over but not start?

If it doesnt turn over, then starter? battery? Imobiliser?

If it turns over but dont start, does it spark? and if it sparks does it spark on all leads? and how many sparks?

If it sparks once, then maybe the coilpack is f**ked.

Coilpacks 90 spec Vws are so bad the AA carry them as standard issue, as vw were in money troubles in the 90s.

If it dont spark at all, does it spark at the king lead to the dizzy?

Does it get fuel to the engine?

Have you changed the ecu? as it would then not work with ur coded keys and clocks?

[axewielder]

where are you?

[nightnurse]

ok, going through the list-
dash lights are on
it does turn over
it does have a spark on all leads
fuel pipes were taken off at the engine and fuel pumps through
ecu is the original with no change in keys etc
there are  some occassions when it starts and runs for 5 minutes then it dies, no warning cough or splutter, just dies. then it wont start again.
if we leave it till his lordships temper has calmed down,(a couple of hours) again it might come to life, but not for long.
i have just ordered vagcom off ebay, so may have some clue soon!!!
thanks for all your help, i almost sound like i know what im talking about now.
give me a good trauma call anyday,its easier to fix people