Poorly 8v Golf GTI !! HELP PLEASE!!

[dkw]

Hi all, my problem is along similar lines to the "GTI cutting out, oil light flashes" thread but  mine doesn't cut out on me it just wont go!

I have a P reg 2.0 8v gti which was driving fine yesterday but when I went out to go to an appointment this morning it wouldn't start!

The engine turns over but it makes no attempt to fire and the oil pressure light is flashing, I popped the dizzy cap off and the center pin had gone completely and was in pieces in the bottom of the dizzy.  So after walking to the car shop 3 times they finally sold me the  right parts and I replaced the dizzy cap, rotor arm and the ht leads.

After replacing the parts it will still not fire and the light still flashes, the fuel is getting into the bores but there is no spark!

Any ideas on what to try next?

[dkw]

I've replaced the infamous ECU Relay but that's made no difference either! and I now have a very flat battery so it's on charge for the night!

[monkeyalan]

if you're gettin no spark to the dizzy it'll be the coil pack. mine went within a month of buying it and it's a common fault. 

[dkw]

I priced one up earlier just in case and they are only £39 so I reckon it's worth a try!! thanks for that!

[dkw]

Does anyone know if it's generally the coil unit or the module that fails? because the price almost doubles for a coil+module together!

[Kestrel]

Mate, careful as you go.. Am still mid-nightmare with mine with an almost identical set of issues.. Have replaced all you have.. First off, Take the Centre-Lead off the Dizzy-cap,hold it a couple of inches away from Engine-block with Rubber-gloves/insulated pliers,and get someone to turn-key for a few secs.. If there is a BIG spark,your Coil is Fine... If not its prob the Coil.. Easy to fit...

[Kestrel]

After you've secured a strong-spark to the centre-lead.. Then test each lead with a plug in it a coupla inches from block, a good spark of equal strength from each lead is what you're after... If not, then it could well be your crank position sensor, a small black plastic thing that is bolted to the centre of the front of the block a few inches to the left of the fuel-filter,and about the height of the middle of the dizzy,with a black lead with a connector on the end,going to the rear-top of the dizzy..... It is simple to  swop,just unbolt it,and unplug the connector...

[Kestrel]

Whatever you do... Try not to Remove the Dizzy,or move it in its socket,unless you've tried everything else...

[dkw]

HI Kestrel, thanks for that, I did check for a spark from the coil before but the battery was giving up so it's been on charge for hours and i'll go and try it again now! 

[dkw]

With a well charged battery there is still no spark so  off to buy a coil! which is a pain because it's £29 for the coil on it's own, £53 for just the module or £67 for both but they only keep the coil in stock so you can guarantee I will need both!!!!