Cannot Start - First Post, Don't Burn Me!

[td_w 2]

Hey there, its my first post! I bought a lovely F plate 205 1.9 GTI track project and its great. I have only had a few days and I have a problem. As its my first post I have done as much reading as possible and also done as much testing as I can and no luck.

 

Only problem is after owning it less than a week it no longer starts. First it needed a new battery and still was only starting once in a while. Its odd, I leave it for an hour and it will start when I try, they start every time for next few start and stops, then won't start again.

 

So anyway, I tested the signal cable from the famous brown plug, it has signal. So I thought must be starter solenoid. I changed the starter and solenoid and still same issue, the starter is fine.

 

I am now at a loss what to check next.

 

It has battery

Starter and solenoid working fine

Solenoid getting signal and starter has power

 

Symptoms

• Turn key and ignition lights up, goes to furtherest position and power appears to be cut
• Doesn't try and turn over
• Solenoid IS clicking under bonnet and relays all clicking on fuse board
• Thats it!

 

Any ideas?

 

The last owner says he never had a problem with it, and as far as he knows it doesn't have an immobiliser fitted - he had it for 5 years. Having said that it kind of feels like its being shut down by an immobiliser.

 

Any helpful hints on what to do next?

 

Thanks in advance, and hello!

[omega 82]

Sounds like a bad earth

check the connections.

[welshpug 1,626]

check the voltage drop on the starter solenoid wire, likely to be quite significant after all these years.

 

if its severe work back through the circuit till you get a good strong voltage, and replace the length of cable from the started to a convenient point in one continuous run.

[td_w 2]

Thanks guys for speedy response, I can do both of these - where should I check the connections though omega? Anywhere specifically to look?

[td_w 2]

Also - to manually start the car can I just connect the battery positive terminal via a new cable to the starter solenoid, cutting out the signal cable?

[welshpug 1,626]

yes, just make sure its not in gear and your fingers are clear of the alternator.

[td_w 2]

Great, thanks - I guess I should put a fuse in that too?

[SkyQuake 70 1 Cars]

Just out of curiosity, have you tried giving the starter motor a goodly rap with the wooden mallet? Sometimes the brushes stick, and a little loving tap can be all it needs to free them up.

[Slo 283 1 Cars]

Also of out curiosity have you jumped the starter with a big screwdriver to the solenoid? As above make sure fingers are out of the way if you try this and do make sure its out of gear

[td_w 2]

Hey all

 

So traced it to bad earth - now working but classically as I drained the cooling system I now have an over heating 205 when I put it all back together.

 

All looks sealed and getting hot, going to check switches and thermostat.

 

May get to drive it one day!

[cheesegrater 43 1 Cars]

It's most likely air locked. Try giving it a good bleed.

[kyepan 291]

search for brown multiplug