Starting problems - just checking....

[takethefifth]

Hi all, just hoping you could have a look at this and see if there is anything worth mentioning that i haven't considered... 

Since about a week ago - and this happened quite suddenly - my '88 gti 8v has gone from starting on the button to me having to hold the throttle down fully and crank it to get it to start. Admittedly its got cold but the suddeness makes me think something has gone. When i do start it, on idle it runs massively roughly like its on 3 cylinders or something but when revved its fine (apart from the idle taking a while to drop). Sounds like i have some kind of racing cam in there or something!

Blue temp sensor was changed with a gsf part a couple of months ago, dizzy cap was done a month ago and xmas eve eve (after the starting problerm happened) i changed the plugs and leads (for beru ones and what a great fit! ).

When i investigated i found an earth wire had come off, not a main one but a brown/black one from inside a sheath connecting to the side of the block. Reconnected it, but made no difference. Wondering if this could have caused something electrical to blow.
Also have a hunting idle problem which i would guess may or may not be connected but has become a lot worse since.

So.... I am planning next to change the blue temp sensor again first and then the coil. Can't see any obvious vacuum leaks but was thinking i might clean my isv and change the rocker cover gasket while i am on.

I was wondering if anyone else has any gems of wisdom they could give me?

I'm off for the week and really want to sort it before i need the car again, its damn embarassing sitting there cranking it in a crowded place and eventually my battery will have to give out!

Cheers and of course - Merry Boxing Day!

[Tornado]

Hi there

I have exactly the same problem. I have replaced dizzy cap, leads, rotor arm,temp sensor even the ecu!
Also cleaned throttle body and ISV and still idles really poorly but accelerates hard.  Going to get timing done properly to see if that helps.
Watch this space.
Alan

[rubjonny]

Check the idle switch is making a connection when the throttle is closed, if not loosen the screws and adjust it so that it just clicks when the throttle is closed.  It's located underneath the throttle body and you have to take the intake boot off to get to it.  Even then the screws are realy awkward, I ended up tapping it gently with a hammer

[takethefifth]

Well i fitted the new coil, checked both the switches on the throttle body, cleaned the isv, checked my earths, vacuum lines and pcv. Got it all together and.... no difference!

I didn't check the blue temp sender before i did this as it was fitted new from gsf about 6 weeks ago. I checked the resistance against the chart in the bentley manual and i think its screwed.

So with the sender connected the car starts like a dog, runs like a dog and is generally awful. It misses and hops and idle is all over the place.

With the sensor disconnected it starts fine, won't idle cold (to be expected) but idles perfectly when hot and runs generally well. Nice and powerhappy again but just not quite perfectly smooth. (i am guessing its unhappy that i have the sensor disconnected.

Surely thats the sensor?  Theres a genuine vw one ordered anyway so we shall see.  And does anyone know if will cause any problems driving the car with the sensor disconnected. VW can't get one till wednesday. 

[rubjonny]

With the sensor disconnected the ecu will run in a 'safe' mode I believe so you wont get the best mpg out of it, and as you've found out starting from cold will be tricky
Mine is doing something similar, I find that it will never fire on the first turn of the key, but just constantly turn over.  If I then stop, prime the pump again & turn the key it will fire straight up!  This also happened to me overnight after messing about trying to get a timing light hooked up, so would be interesting to know what your solution turns out to be!
I've also just bought a blue temp sender from VW as well

[Mr Blue]

i get this once or twice. Check your ignition moduel and relays

My ignition mod blew and i put a relay in the wrong socket. The engine sounded tappety till i fitted it in the right socket. sounds wierd but worth a shot

[rubjonny]

Just an update, the blue temp sender solved my starting issues, so get down to VW and buy one!

Only costs about £11, and if they ask, yes it is the blue one, that says 'for cars equipped with catalyst' as it says on ETKA

[takethefifth]

Well it should be ready to pick up from my local stealership on Friday.....  Fingers crossed eh?  If not then i guess its onto the relays!!

I'll let you know if it sorts the job. 

[marcogolfo]

got a part number for this blue sensor?

[mallydgti]

You dont need the part number, only a couple listed, one red and one blue the black is for the temp gauge, the blue one is on ETKA as being for a golf gti 2 with Catalyst, but it is the right one.