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Diagnosis needed quickly-Golf GTI not starting

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  • 29-11-2009 7:13pm
    #1
    coolbeans
    Registered Users Posts: 3,051 ✭✭✭


    Assistance greatly appreciated. Trying to get my friend's '02 Golf GTI 1.8T to start. Running normally until now. It's turning over but won't start. Anyone got any idea what's up and more importantly a quick fix. Need to get it moving this evening.


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    #2
    Owen
    Registered Users Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    When you turn the key on, do you hear the fuel pump priming? Have you taken out the spark plugs to make sure they're getting a spark?


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    #3
    Tipsy Mac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,559 ✭✭✭Tipsy Mac


    Check the obvious first, does it have any petrol?


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    #4
    coolbeans
    Registered Users Posts: 3,051 ✭✭✭coolbeans


    'fraid I don't have the tools to take out the sparks. I can hear the humming of the fuel pump alright...
    Thanks for the prompt response by the way.

    TIpsy, yup it's all fuelled up.


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    #5
    Tipsy Mac
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,559 ✭✭✭Tipsy Mac


    Has it been layed up a longtime or has it been driven through floods recently?


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    #6
    coolbeans
    Registered Users Posts: 3,051 ✭✭✭coolbeans


    It gets driven about once a week but it's not been laid up. The owner is uber cautious so it wouldn't have been driven through floods.


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    #7
    baaaa
    Closed Accounts Posts: 606 ✭✭✭baaaa


    Maybe the batterys is flat,leave any lights on you think?Might need a jump or push,try pressing the accelerator as you turn it over.


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    #8
    hi_im_fil
    Registered Users Posts: 889 ✭✭✭hi_im_fil


    First things to check are is the engine getting fuel, and does it have a spark. Work from there then. Can't really do much if you don't know if the engine is getting fuel or spark


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    #9
    coolbeans
    Registered Users Posts: 3,051 ✭✭✭coolbeans


    baaaa wrote: »
    Maybe the batterys is flat,leave any lights on you think?Might need a jump or push,try pressing the accelerator as you turn it over.

    Nope, she's turning over strongly. No issues with the battery as far as I can see.


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    #10
    coolbeans
    Registered Users Posts: 3,051 ✭✭✭coolbeans


    hi_im_fil wrote: »
    First things to check are is the engine getting fuel, and does it have a spark. Work from there then. Can't really do much if you don't know if the engine is getting fuel or spark

    Probably not going to like the answer to this but how does one check if it's getting a spark?


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    #11
    Owen
    Registered Users Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    Take out the spark plugs one by one and turn the car over, you should see a spark between the electrodes on the top of the spark plug.


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    #12
    coolbeans
    Registered Users Posts: 3,051 ✭✭✭coolbeans


    PaintDoctor wrote: »
    Take out the spark plugs one by one and turn the car over, you should see a spark between the electrodes on the top of the spark plug.

    Righto, thanks for that. They're a specialised but fairly common tool arent they? I'll make a few calls and see who's got one. Thanks one and all.


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    #13
    jimmyw
    Registered Users Posts: 3,382 ✭✭✭jimmyw


    If you have any, spray some easystart/start ya bastard in the air filter housing. If she then starts its a fuel problem. Dont keep using that stuff though.


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    #14
    Moanin
    Registered Users Posts: 2,134 ✭✭✭Moanin


    coolbeans wrote: »
    Assistance greatly appreciated. Trying to get my friend's '02 Golf GTI 1.8T to start. Running normally until now. It's turning over but won't start. Anyone got any idea what's up and more importantly a quick fix. Need to get it moving this evening.

    Any warning lights coming up on the dash?


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    #15
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    PaintDoctor wrote: »
    Take out the spark plugs one by one and turn the car over, you should see a spark between the electrodes on the top of the spark plug.

    In addition you should be able to smell petrol in the cylinders?


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    #16
    Matt Simis
    Registered Users Posts: 8,718 ✭✭✭Matt Simis


    PaintDoctor wrote: »
    Take out the spark plugs one by one and turn the car over, you should see a spark between the electrodes on the top of the spark plug.


    Dont you also have to ground one part of the spark plug to the chassis...
    The car should audibly try to fire up even if just one spark plug is working.


    Also OP, post on Vagdrivers.net, someone with a VagCom (aka VCDS) would be handy and could very quickly show up the problem. Is the Op sure him or "someone" didnt fill up with diesel?


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    #17
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    Matt Simis wrote: »
    Dont you also have to ground one part of the spark plug to the chassis...
    Hold or rest the plug against the rocker cover...


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    #18
    Tigger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,705 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


    Matt Simis wrote: »
    Dont you also have to ground one part of the spark plug to the chassis...
    The car should audibly try to fire up even if just one spark plug is working.


    Also OP, post on Vagdrivers.net, someone with a VagCom (aka VCDS) would be handy and could very quickly show up the problem. Is the Op sure him or "someone" didnt fill up with diesel?


    you have to ground the plug

    should then se a spark but be carful there will be a petrol and air mix being pumped outa the head and it might ignite with a pop


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    #19
    Tigger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,705 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


    JHMEG wrote: »
    Hold or rest the plug against the rocker cover...

    unless the cover is plastic


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    #20
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    Tigger wrote: »
    unless the cover is plastic

    Obviously...


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    #21
    Tigger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,705 ✭✭✭✭Tigger


    to you mabey .....


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    #22
    Neilw
    Registered Users Posts: 3,784 ✭✭✭Neilw


    Tigger wrote: »
    unless the cover is plastic

    It's not plastic ;)


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    #23
    cnocbui
    Registered Users Posts: 20,010 ✭✭✭✭cnocbui


    Perhaps Paintdoctor wanted the OP to act as the ground and find out how far the current is prepared to go in order to find it's way to it.;)


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    #24
    Owen
    Registered Users Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    cnocbui wrote: »
    Perhaps Paintdoctor wanted the OP to act as the ground and find out how far the current is prepared to go in order to find it's way to it.;)

    Yes, of course I did.


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    #25
    JHMEG
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,686 ✭✭✭JHMEG


    Tigger wrote: »
    to you mabey .....
    If it's not obvious, close the bonnet and call the AA.


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