MK3 16V ABF Startup Issue

[abarnett]

Hi All,

Hoping someone can help as my car has been off the road for a month now and driving a fiesta is bugging me (plus my girlfriend is selling it).

Basically the car won't start, engine turns over, even a slight inkling of it starting, but then nothing, just keeps turning over.
So far I have checked:

That fuel is getting to the injectors, it is.
The spark plugs are sparking, they are.
The timing is correct, it is.
The coolant sensor is working, at least it gives the correct resistance for the current temp.
I've change the ECU relay.
I've checked for splits in vacuum lines.
I've checked wires for breaks etc.
I've fitted a new distributor cap and spark plugs.
I've changed the fuel rail and injectors (because I cracked the old one working out if it got fuel or not!)
I've even checked the Coil transformer has the correct resistances!
I aim to replace the lambda sensor tonight, but not holding out much hope, plus pain in the arse to remove!
The Crank Speed Sensor stopped the car working about 4 years ago now and was replaced due to split wiring. New ones wires all very much still intact, plus shouldn't be sparking if its not working? I've used this excuse for ruling out the coil as well, am I wrong to do this?


Only other thing I can think of checking is the cylinder pressures in case head gasket has catastrophically failed, or the hydraulic tappets are no longer working for some reason (does have quite a large oil leak from somewhere but keep it regularly topped up).

Previous to break down, it was running fine for me, girlfriend drove it, still fine, then couldn't start it one cold morning this winter. She thinks there may have been a lack of power the evening before it wouldn't start. Its has an aftermarket immobiliser/alarm (clifford concept 300) which doesn't even allow the engine to turn over if activated.

If anyone has any other good ideas then please let me know otherwise next week it shall have to be towed the garage to see if it has any codes as I don't have access to a VAGCom.

Look forward to hearing any ideas! Thanks,

Al

[madmanmart]

I'd just double check the coli personally, could be giving a weak spark.

[abarnett]

Nope not the coil, and not the lambda sensor.

Checked the compression just in case, getting around 8 Bar on cylinders 1, 3 and 4. But 2 is low at 5 Bar. Not good, but not going to stop it from running. Have managed to get it started briefly in warmer weather, but lacking power and dies very soon after. Completely out of ideas now. Hoping to borrow a VAGCom from my mate, but someone must have some ideas?

What would a bad knock sensor do?

Cheers,

[madmanmart]

Ok, what about the HT leads?

[abarnett]

No I don't think so, like I say I'm pretty certain its sparking. Even starts up now when its been left for a bit, but very weak power and dies after a matter of seconds. Managed to get my hands on a VAGCom cable and plugged it in today, will post results below. What happened during this was odd, the fuel pump primed but then kept going whenever I put the ignition on, so I pulled the fuse and eventually got the balls to start the engine. Started as it should and had rising revs until it ran out of fuel. Very odd. Anyway thought maybe it wasn't pumping fuel when running, but the pump is defo running. So, this and my results from the diagnostic are leading me to a mixture issue.

Initial Fault reading:

Saturday,04,April,2015,12:48:56:15675
VCDS -- Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator
VCDS Version: 14.10.2.0 (x64)
Data version: 20150311
www.Ross-Tech.com





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chassis Type: 1H - VW Golf/Vento III (1992 > 1999)
Scan: 01 02 03 08 12 15 25 41 56
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine        Labels: Redir Fail!
   Part No: 037 906 024 BE
   Component: DIGIFANT 3.2        1953     
   VCID: 56A341CAB23A6691643-095E

1 Fault Found:
00740 - Cylinder 1 Recognition Sensor (G145)
            03-00 - No Signal
Readiness: N/A

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes        Labels: 3A0-907-379.lbl
   Part No: 3A0 907 379 A
   Component: ABS/EDS ITTAE 20 GI V00 
   Coding: 03604
   Shop #: WSC 00000 
   VCID: 285F3F32C8CE206106F-4A88

1 Fault Found:
00287 - ABS Wheel Speed Sensor; Rear Right (G44)
            35-10 -  -  - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags        Labels: 6N0-909-60x-VW2.lbl
   Part No: 6N0 909 603 F
   Component: AIRBAG VW2          V00 
   Coding: 00070
   Shop #: WSC 01317 
   VCID: 3561E6460F7C4D898D9-4B6A

1 Fault Found:
00532 - Supply Voltage B+
            07-10 - Signal too Low - Intermittent

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 25: Immobilizer        Labels: 1H0-953-257.lbl
   Part No: 1H0 953 257 B
   Component: IMMO VWZ3Z0T1100917 V00 
   Coding: 09600
   Shop #: WSC 00000 
   VCID: 2A5BC53AD6C2127110B-4AEC

No fault code found.

End-------------------------(Elapsed Time: 02:05)--------------------------

Cleared codes and not come back, assume its from me unplugging things and trying to run the engine. When i tried to get lambda readings and mixture this is what I got:

Saturday   4   April   2015   14:49:17:15675-VCID:56A341CAB23A6691643-095E   VCDS Version: Release 14.10.2 (x64)   Data version: 20150311                           
037 906 024 BE      DIGIFANT 3.2        1953                                           
                                             
   Group A:   '006            Group B:   '005            Group C:   '007         
      Lambda_Int   Lambda_Int1   Learned Value for   TB_Pot_Closed_Learned      Idle_RPM   Soleniod   Fuel Consumption   Operating Cond?      ISV   Mixture   Lambda   MAP
   TIME   If 0    0...70    idle   Value   TIME      Duty Ratio   mS   Lambda 00000000?   TIME         Regulation Freq   
Marker   STAMP               STAMP       %         STAMP            
   4.22   0   0   39   64   0.55   378   0   0   0           2.37   39   118   3   82
   10.4   0   0   39   64   6.76   459   0   0   10000000   8.58   39   118   3   82
16.57   0   0   39   64   12.92459   0   0   10000000   14.7539   118   3   82

According to http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?199583-VAG-Com-ABF-Digifant-3-1-and-3-2-label-files the Labda operating code 10000000 means Coding for synchro, mechanical emergency running.

Also Ran group 001 to get Adjustment condition, result was 10001011 which i got means DTC Recognised, Fault in Lambda Control, RPM > 2500, Coolant Temp < 80 °C.

So that a new lambda sensor, so wondering if maybe there is a loose lambda wire somewhere. Will try check continuity sometime this weekend when i have some time.

Any other bits I could test while i have the VAGCom let me know and I'll get them done, never used it before so might need some detailed instruction.

Cheers,