electrical help needed - re ignition

[whit]

are there any simple electrical tests i can do on the ignition to determine where a fault might be?

i have a long running non start issue when the cabin is hot, have always thought it's the ignition switch but not so sure now. is there some simple electrical test i can do to rule out (or in) the switch without removing it?

i have another switch (presumed to be good?) that wont start it either so think the problem may lie elsewhere either wiring (earth) or relay??

some component is being adversely effected by the heat inside the car. could it be the ECU relay? no voltage at the coil.

whenever the temp inside the car is above 20c ish i have to resort to jumping the starter.

[bully79]

I had something similar with mine (ignition switch).Pop the multiplug off the back of the barrell and "hot wire "your car and see how you go on.It's trial and error to find the correct sequence,but first off you need two pieces of wire.Prod one of them into the plug until you get dash lights,then ark one from them and find the the connection for the starter.Just touch it to start the car BUT dont leave it connected.Hope this works 

[Rmachines]

If its not the ignition switch,   its the ECU relay,  £13 from the dealer.   its not the fuel pump relay, people get confused as some cars have one of each and some share the same and its known as the fuel pump relay,  the golf has one of each,  and its the ECU relay that fails, this causes the fuel pump to cut out and loss of ignition, usually sticks when going from the off position to the on position, in bad cases it cuts while running.   If it wont start,  stick your hand up the fuse box and flick/tap the relay,  If it clicks and pump primes,  it will start, and there's your problem.

Otherwise,  ignition switch will be the problem.

[whit]

I had something similar with mine (ignition switch).Pop the multiplug off the back of the barrell and "hot wire "your car and see how you go on.It's trial and error to find the correct sequence,but first off you need two pieces of wire.Prod one of them into the plug until you get dash lights,then ark one from them and find the the connection for the starter.Just touch it to start the car BUT dont leave it connected.Hope this works 

not sure which i have to connect and dont want to melt anything!! lol

this would be better if i could start it from in the car....becomes a bit embarassing after a while, popping the bonnet on daily basis and jumping the starter to get going!

there's a live thin brown/red wire with 12v, a very thick red and a red/black (which i think goes to the starter solenoid). i think these are the 3 wires i'm interested in?? anyone know for sure?

[vwscottie]

If you can start everytime by bypassing the starter switch i`d say the ignition switch is buggered

[patc]

Have a look at my story too.

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=201009.0

[ashbreed]

If you can start everytime by bypassing the starter switch i`d say the ignition switch is buggered

Agree with above! The ignition switch is most probably the offender! After all it's only a lil piece of plastic which gets worn over time. Replace that 1st, it's only a few quid from euros and that way if it still doesnt work you've eliminated the ignition switch from your problem without spending half your wages!

To swap the ignition switch is bit of a pig, you have to take the steering coloum out, it just requires patience! Theres a "how to" on here some were!

[whit]

i've tried plugging in another switch (presumed to work ok) in situ and turned it with a screwdriver but still no start.

don't know if this switch is duff or i'm doing something wrong or the problem is something else???

is there a way of testing the switch with a multi-meter?

[Leon27]

^^^
Did you have the key in the ignition barrel whilst trying the new ignition switch? It wont start if you have an immob

[whit]

^^^
Did you have the key in the ignition barrel whilst trying the new ignition switch? It wont start if you have an immob

yeah