mk3 abf will not turn over

[shanco73]

HAPPY NEW YEAR   

I have been experiencing some starting issues with my mk3 for a while now but i think i toasted somthing the other day. I suspect i have been having fuel pump problems, takes ages for the car to start from cold turning over for ages until finally starting, so this drained the battey the other day, sorry wont go on for much longer, any way i have a booster pack which i have used starting my transporter before, booster needed charging, so plugged booster in to charge and then attached to car battery, i have used it in this configuration before with good results, however the golf did not like it, turned ignition and all i could hear is the fan spinning, no click from the solenoid no starter motor no nothing. As i had to go out to work i had no more time so had to take wife's car. I hope I have blown a fuse or relay ?? but I am not sure.

Any advice on what I should be checking first, battery has charge, I dont have a VAG reader, I do have a multi meter. I am thinking fuses coil. starter solenoid,

Are all the fuses under the dash ? Thanks for any help in advance      HAPPY NEW YEAR

[Deano2711]

Sounds like a duff battery to me. Some batteries get that low that even a jump start will not do the trick. Do you get the dash lights on when the ignition is on ??  Try using the battery off another car to test it out as well.

[shanco73]

I will test with meter but i think there is enough juice in the battery to at least make the solenoid click which is not happening ! dash lights good central locking good.

Will have a quick look in the last few minutes of light, back in a bit.  cheers

[Deano2711]

If you have your central locking and dash lights then it seems your battery is fine then. I would check the wiring to the starter motor. Try jump starting the car and if it starts then you know it's a starter fault. Other than that you could be looking at a starter switch fault. I believe you can test this by removing the cowling, then pulling off the connector at the bottom of the ignition switch. Keep your key in the ignition and use a screwdriver to turn over the car. If it starts you have a faulty ignition switch. Hope this helps.

[shanco73]

There is 12.15v at the battery i know there should be about 13v ideally, I am sure that this would be enough to spin the engine over even slowly.
I can hear the fuel pump prime and the solenoid does click sometimes, perhaps the starter motor is stuck/cooked. To back up this theory I noticed a little smoke from the solenoid/starter motor area when i was trying to turn the engine. I will take the starter off tomorrow and take a look. There is 12.15v at the live on the starter solenoid, but it just does not turn over.

I have tested all the fuses under the dash and they all test good with the multi meter. I Have the booster on charge so it will have 13v in the morning. Not exactly how i wanted to spend the holiday, wife and 2 kids agree with me !!  needs must as they say !!

Cheers Deano I have just read your reply, I must agree I dont think the battery is the issue here. I will check the starter motor tomorrow. thamks again. Steve

 

[Deano2711]

No worries Buddy....as said though try jump starting it as even with a dodgy starter it will jump start. From your last reply it does sound very much like your starter is foobered.

[Diamond Hell]

Hit the body of the starter, hard with something percussive.

Like a metal pipe.

HARD.

It may be that the starter is stuck engaged.  This will dis-engage it.

[shanco73]

Thanks for that yes I had thought of hitting it tried that, no joy.  Removed the starter motor this morning tested it, nothing at all. Stripped it ring gear that engages the starter motor is in 5 pieces and the brushes are shot and the earth between the solenoid and the starter motor is shot, If i could get the spares i could rebuild this starter motor but i think i will try the classifieds for someone breaking a golf. and fleabay and all the usual.

Thanks for your help and inspiration i will let you know when i get it sorted.