Mystery starting problem?!?!?!?

[streaky]

My Mk2 Gti 8v '92 won't start. Everything else works but the starter motor doesn't do a thing.

I've run a live cable to the starter and it turns over and runs, but nothing with the key. All of the lights on the dash are fine and the fuel pumps working. If I start it with the live cable it runs spot on but the ignition just wont activate the starter......

Could this be an ignition barrel problem or something to do with the coil???

[sparks03]

Possibly matey but it could be a problem that my Golf has suffered with.

 The lead running from the battery to the starter motor simply wasn't big enough to draw the charge for the engine when it was really cold. Symptoms were exactly the same as yours. A jump start would have it firing up perfectly. Volt meter showed that a slight reduction in output from the battery when cold and as the engine required more power to fire it up the lead just couldn't cope (cable similar in diameter to audio cable rather than something meatier) Costs a couple of quid to change, might be worth a try?

[rubjonny]

easy test if switch or wiring. pull the ignition switch plug off, jump a bit of wire between the red and red/black wires. if starter turns, its the switch. if not, its the red/black wire

[mjoe]

Having identical problem with my car - ust noticed yesterday after not starting it for about a week of very cold weather!! were you able to sort out - was it a burned out wire/connection etc?