stubby205 0 Posted January 18, 2012 At first while I was stopped at traffic lights the revs would drop down to almost cutting out and then jump back up, after this happening for a week or so and occasionally cutting out, I decided to adjust the throttle cable in hopes that would solve the problem it didn't work, the revs went a little higher then the engine cut out and now it won't start. Any ideas or suggestions would be grately appreciated as my car is sat doing nothing but collecting dirt. Please help me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chris205gtioliver 0 Posted January 18, 2012 How's the dreaded brown multiplug, I don't have a great knowledge of car problems but mine was doing something similar and I replaced the brown multiplug located near the throttle and it seemed to help me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Fenton 1,526 Posted January 19, 2012 The brown plug only carries signal wires to the gauges, and the starter solenoid wire. The symptoms of the brown plug are, erratic or non functioning gauges, and starter will not kick in when you turn the key. All the engine management bits that can affect running do not pass through that plug. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Weser 30 Posted January 19, 2012 Does it only happen when its warm or will it do the same when its cold? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stubby205 0 Posted January 21, 2012 I think it did the same when cold, some friends have suggested the air flow meter, I'd recently had a second hand one fitted so I may start by changing that and checking the carb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,627 Posted January 21, 2012 (edited) checking the carb. but you have a GTI with an AFM... start with the basics, is the engine turning over? do you have spark+ fuel? Edited January 21, 2012 by welshpug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RickyD 0 Posted January 21, 2012 The brown plug only carries signal wires to the gauges, and the starter solenoid wire. The symptoms of the brown plug are, erratic or non functioning gauges, and starter will not kick in when you turn the key. All the engine management bits that can affect running do not pass through that plug. So could that be a reason why my 1.9 doesn't start every time. What appears to be the multi plug is melted. I'm clueless and don't even know if its the diagnostics brown plug. Could someone enlighten me. Cheers RickyD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stubby205 0 Posted January 22, 2012 Haha sorry I meant the throttle body, ye it turns over, I thought it might be petrol as it was low but I put petrol in and tried again but still it didn't start. A few years ago the fuel pump wouldn't make the usual buzzing noise it does when turning the key in the ignition and I had to put a live wire to it to get the car started, after that it worked fine. Another thing making me think the cars electrics are buggerd is that my heaters only work when turned to full blast and if I turn my lights on the heaters go off. I've not checked the spark yet as the car is at my parents house so I'll be checking things next weekend. Thanks for all replies though every little helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey S 29 1 Cars Posted January 22, 2012 So could that be a reason why my 1.9 doesn't start every time. What appears to be the multi plug is melted. I'm clueless and don't even know if its the diagnostics brown plug. Could someone enlighten me. Cheers RickyD Diagnostics plug is litterally a lead around the distributor cap area thats got 3 pins in it and it runs down to a sensor thats bolted to the gearbox bell housing. Brown multiplug is about 7 pins iirc, and it sits around about where the clutch fork is on the top of the gearbox (unless someone has been playing around ) I cut the light blue stater wire BEFORE the multiplug and wired in a 4 pin relay to slove my starting issues. Mine has been like it for years now with no problems. a quick google will identify how to wire it up, failing that, Ring automotive do a pre-wired 4 pin relay kit that will do the job. mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey S 29 1 Cars Posted January 22, 2012 Haha sorry I meant the throttle body, ye it turns over, I thought it might be petrol as it was low but I put petrol in and tried again but still it didn't start. A few years ago the fuel pump wouldn't make the usual buzzing noise it does when turning the key in the ignition and I had to put a live wire to it to get the car started, after that it worked fine. Another thing making me think the cars electrics are buggerd is that my heaters only work when turned to full blast and if I turn my lights on the heaters go off. I've not checked the spark yet as the car is at my parents house so I'll be checking things next weekend. Thanks for all replies though every little helps. I'd look at earths for a start. Check for a decent earth at the pump and also for the presence of 12 volts when cranking. The Tachymetric relay (up by the ecu on drivers side) will more than likely be the culprit if theres no voltage at the pump. Heaters only working on full chat will be the rheostat which is on the passenger side under the dash by the fan but this cutting out when lights are switched on could indicate that either the alternator or battery are starting to die. Hope that helps Mike Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stubby205 0 Posted January 23, 2012 Thanks I'll check the pump voltage and rheostat, I found that if I want the heaters on and my headlights, I unplug the dash lights brightness wheel under the steering wheel and they both work. Battery is quite new also. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stubby205 0 Posted January 28, 2012 Ok I've charged the battery and checked the spark and there's nothing, no spark from any of the plugs, and they are all new spark plugs. I'm not the most technical person so I ask you all, what could be the cause of this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sensualt101 31 1 Cars Posted January 28, 2012 Ok I've charged the battery and checked the spark and there's nothing, no spark from any of the plugs, and they are all new spark plugs. I'm not the most technical person so I ask you all, what could be the cause of this? i know its a basic thing but what condition are your ht leads in? if you have no spark at all it could be as simple as a broken lead? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stubby205 0 Posted January 28, 2012 Not checked them yet, they're magnicor leads so I hope they would last more than a few years. Im going to change the leads and dizz and ignition coil just incase but if that fails I'm not sure what else to try, and I can't really afford to take it a garage. Thanks for all replys Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,627 Posted January 28, 2012 i'd imagine getting a garage to diagnose a fairly simple fault would be cheaper than buying lots of parts that you may well not need Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
