Nothing from the starter motor, but general electrics fine

[DMUK]

Hey guys,

Searched, read the stickies and the maintenance sub-forum but cannot find anything specifically related to my problem.

First off, I enjoy driving my GTI but am a bit clueless outside of the basics so go easy .

I have a MK3 GTI 8v on an N plate. Had it about a year and a half, no mechanical issues, went through last MOT first time with just minor faults. 140k on the clock.

Unfortunate circumstances have meant I have not been able to drive it for 4-5 weeks, but went to start it today and it won't turn over  . It sounds like the starter motor is getting a slight kick, but nothing after that. The electrics work okay (dash lights, electric windows etc) but I am wondering if because of the lack of driving the battery has gone flatish and while there is enough juice left for the windows, there is not enough to turn the motor.

Any advice? Thinking it might be worth replacing the battery (don't have any means to check it) but thought I'd ask the pros in case there were some obvious things I can check or if based on the above description it's not a battery issue.

Cheers!

DMUK

[gtigolfthree]

Could be the immobiliser, need to rule that out first do the red lights come on when you turn the ignition?

[DMUK]

Oooh, that's clever thinking! Thanks for posting.

To show you how non-clued up I am, I can tell you that turning the key lights up the following dash lights:

Oil pressure warning, handbrake, water temp.

But I don't know if that's good or bad.

Nothing else, and in fact I am not even sure the starter is doing anything now or whether I just think I hear something. The car has an after market alarm (Cobra) but not sure if it replaced the factory immobiliser also. There is a light in one of the panels in the center console that normally flashes all the time, but it is not flashing now...

[DarnPB]

Sounds like a discharged battery to me. Try starting the car with jump leads from another battery or car. Or if you have access to another battery, slave that in and see if it starts.

[Wayne]

Long shot but try you could try jumping it, as maybe the battery has dropped right down.



Edit: too sloooow ^^^^^

[DMUK]

Cheers both for that. Nice to have it narrowed down by people with a clue! 

Sounds like a discharged battery to me. Try starting the car with jump leads from another battery or car. Or if you have access to another battery, slave that in and see if it starts.

Is there any difference to jumping with a battery versus slaving it in. Seen the term slaving while searching this forum but not seen it before in this context.

[Matty-MK3]

Yes.

Just get a set of jump leads, hook them up (ground/black needs to go to metal on your car last of all) then start the good car and then try to start yours.

[gtigolfthree]

Cheers both for that. Nice to have it narrowed down by people with a clue! 

Sounds like a discharged battery to me. Try starting the car with jump leads from another battery or car. Or if you have access to another battery, slave that in and see if it starts.

Is there any difference to jumping with a battery versus slaving it in. Seen the term slaving while searching this forum but not seen it before in this context.

The battery that your using to jump your car is a slave, its just a slang term as your using it like a slave I guess.

[gtigolfthree]

If that dont work by the way it will almost certainly be your starter. Another way to check if you dont have a slave battery is to put your headlights on and if they're bright but go dull when you try to start its a dodgy battery or earth connection but if they stay bright it will be the starter or less likely the ign. switch.

[DarnPB]

Slaving something in means temporarily fitting or connecting something that will be easily removed later, without actually installing it properly. You would do this if the component does not fit properly or is for testing purposes only.