16v turns over but will not fire... Help please

[Lewy]

Remove a plug, attach the lead and rest it against a metal part of the engine which is in view when you turn the engine over.

[VW BUSH]

Take a lead off pull back sheath if you can, lay it on inlet manifold and look through gap in bonnet as you turn the key.
You should see a spark jump to the ali manifold, dont do it too much you will see it if its there

(best to leave plug in lead, if you can get the plug out that is )

[Lewy]

Can't pull the sheath back on a 16v HT lead due to the insulation.  If you have a gash serviceable plug lying around, use that.

[walchy01]

Update

Just drove down in the wifes Vw to the car park where I left the 16v, got in it and it turned and fired first time
Drove home 2 minutes drive, turned it off tried to re start same problem won't fire again
A bit of a mystery!!!!

[The Mighty Elvi]

Mine had this issue a few months back.  Like you, came back a few hours later and started first time.

What was the weather like, as it happened to me when it was raining, then dry.

Could be a damp/water issue in the electrics/fuse box.

[walchy01]

It had been dry from leaving it to re starting it
Find this stuff frustrating as I'm no mechanic, especially electrical :embarassed:
Will turn her over in an hour and see what happens...

[walchy01]

Mmmmm

Been out to the car started it up 4 or 5 times with no issues, the fuel pump primes everytime, so that's obviously working...
What could it be??  Wouldn't normally be bothered as it used to be driven weekends/occasionally, but now it is currently my daily now the X5 has gone...
Don't want to get to stranded anywhere as I don't have recovery cover :embarassed:

Thanks

[SoulTaxi]

Hi mate..i know a great mobile mechanic who knows golfs like the back of his hand if that'd help?? He's looked after us for years..

[mk2bal]

Could be lots of things, including the ignition switch. They can play up in funny ways, intermittently, but so can lots of other things. You need to work your way through things, eliminating them from the equation. As others have said, next time it happens use a spare plug to check for spark on all 4, if it is the spark your losing say, then it can be dizzy/cap/leads/coil, or possibly ign switch cutting the coil feed. Sometimes they can turn over + over + over, then fire when you let off the key. That is one of a few possible symptoms of a faulty switch. However it may not be a spark or associated parts problem, so you really need to do some inspection, testing and fault finding and get to know your car + components health In general

[walchy01]

Thanks for the offers and advice, got a really good mate that will help but I don't like bothering him cos he's always busy... Mechanic, electrics he knows it all as he worked at Vw then Audi the BMW so he's a top lad to know, I will use a few bits of advice off here and try and eliminate one thing at a time....
Thanks for the advice again guys much appreciated...