GTi won't start! Key turn click click click click click

[Pld118]

Hi,

My wife was just out for a short run in the GTi, parked it and returned to it after a few minutes on a car park but the car wouldn't start.

She turned the ignition key, all of the ignition lights came on as usual and the car gave what she describes as almost like a little cough as if trying to fire up and start but then that noise gave way to a click click click click click sound.

A further attempt to start the car via the ignition key resulted in the key being turned, no sound you would associated with firing the car up and in fact the only sound then heard was click click click click click.

The car has recently had a new timing tensioner, associated components and a new timing chain fitted by the main dealer under warranty.

Since buying the car in March this year, from the outset I have documented queries with the VW main dealer that I believed the starter motor was 'on it's way out' due to what I felt was a fly wheel type grinding noise on start up.  Ultimately (and within the past 2 months) the main dealer concluded that the starter motor was fine and that the noises I could hear were in fact associated with the failing timing chain tensioner/ components.

The car has a full Das Welt Approved Used warranty.

Could anyone please advise as to whether they think the cause could be:

1. Timing chain related?

2. Failing battery?

3. Failing starter motor?

4. Failing alternator?

5.  Something else?

Hopefully someone can please give me some insight based upon their own experience before I contact VW assistance and/ or the main dealer in the morning.

Thanks in advance.

[Mattyj]

Sounds like starter not engaging give it a thumb

[Mattyj]

Thump

[Pld118]

"Thump" = jump start?

Thanks for reply.

[mwad gti]

Physically hit the starter motor I think he means

[golfhappy]

Check the battery with a meter, then maybe use a rubber hammer to hit the solenoid attached to the starter motor. Check the cables fot tightness at the battery and also the ones at the starter motor.

[Pld118]

Ahem... Thank you... If that then enables the car to then start, does that mean that the starter motor is done for?

Ps... Where does one find the starter motor?

 

[golfhappy]

Ave never looked from the poit of view cars nowadays have muckle plastic sheets slung underneath them for aerodynamics and are a pure bugger to take off and put back on. Should be the way down in the bowels either on the left or the righthand side. You can usually trace the cable from the battery, heavy red one. The solenoid gets energised and throws i think a thing called bendix. This is a little toothed thing that spins and engages with the ring gear on the flywheel and spins the engine over. This can stick and wont engage the flywheel hence battering it with the hammer.

[golfhappy]

In the interest of science i've went out and had a look for the starter motor. If you trace the thick heavy cable from + terminal it goes to the piggy back solenoid on the top of the starter which is under the air box on the r/hand side of the engine. You may or may not find that the click click click is located there!
And that's why i never lay a spanner on a car now.....the size of the hammer you would need would be small..and you'd need "GIRLIE HANDS" to get it there! 

[Pld118]

Thank you all and golfhappy for your midnight mission!