Wont turn then clocks reset

[golfmk4owner]

Right i have tried using a wire across the positive and positive switch terminal on the starter and it did exactly the same thing as when i turn the key so does that rule out a problem between the key and starter?

[herr schimdt]

yep somthing is jamming up somewhere did it do this before you changed the starter? does the crank turn with a spanner ?

[golfmk4owner]

Yes it did mate, thats why i changed the starter to rule it out. Its happened since i put the head back on. Yes it turns with a spanner on the crank, it is quite stiff but easy enough. I torqued the camshafts in the haynes sequence to the haynes torque spec and everything. It goes around by hand so its not out of timing. Baffled.

[herr schimdt]

im baffeled to. try taking off the starter and checking it spins when you put power to it should just need to earth the body and touch the live with a wire from the battery.
could try this with your old starter if you still have it first though

[golfmk4owner]

Yep tried it with my old starter mate to check and it came out and span 

[clipperjay]

Mine doses that when my battery is half dead the start is not enough to start it, but completely drains power to the dash i.e clocks go?
 What Voltages are you getting from the battery fella?

[weazgti]

Yeah same.
Athough mine does it everynow and again even though its fully charged cos of the ignition timing being too far advanced.

[Simpson]

sounds like a battery issue still to me, did you put the end cam caps on in the right order just another thought.

[golfmk4owner]

Hmm you know what guys i think im going to have to try a new meaty battery if you guys have had the same thing. If it was the ignition timing, would i just adjust the dizzy?
appreciating the comments so far guys im feeling the love

[weazgti]

yes. could try backing it off a bit.