Vw Golf start problems

tipp86

Ok im driving a VW Golf tdi.

Over the last 3 weeks it has spluttered starting but never failed to start.

Last Sunday it wouldnt start so i got jump leads the car didnt start off the first attempt. So the Guy went away and got stronger leads and a diesel van which worked perfect.

It worked the next time i tried starting it but i drove 10 miles and tried starting it 2 hours later and it didnt.

I jump started it off a starlet and it worked straight away.

The car then started the next few times but it has let me down again today. When a renault clio tried starting it the clios engine died and it would not start.

Another car came and it could not start either car using the jump leads.


Is it just the battery or could it be more? Any idea how i might get it started?

2 Espressi

Does it take a while for the coil loght to go off?
How old is the battery?
How old is the car?
Have you access to a loan of a newer battery?

tipp86

2 Espressi wrote: »

Does it take a while for the coil loght to go off?
How old is the battery?
How old is the car?
Have you access to a loan of a newer battery?

Ok im unsure what the coil light is?

Again dont know how old battery is as the car is a 02 and i have had it a year?

No i dont !

tipp86

bump

Abelloid

Doesn't start or doesn't even turn over?

tipp86

It gives a chug when it starts ! Like teasing me that it might start.

GTE

If you can switch the battery with a new one and you still have the starting problem (make sure the engine is cold to test) then I would say its a coolant temperature sensor problem. I have the same problem.
In the cold I would crank the engine, it would chugg and chugg and then start or if I thought the engine was catching it would die just as I let go of the key. Just as you say, its teasing me lol

A way to check is on the next cold start tomorrow morning or whatever turn the key two notches and make note of the glow plug light on the dash. (the coil mentioned)


On your car it should be to the left of the dash in the middle of the rev counter.

If it lights up with the rest of the dash lights and then goes off with the rest of the them then you have a problem.
That means the faulty temperature sensor is telling the cars computer that its warm out when its actually bloody freezing so the glow plugs dont heat up the engine to assist startup, then you get a bad start up.
But thats good
Its a quick and cheap fix if you are DIY inclined.

If it stays on for a few seconds (about 8 seconds for me) after the other dash lights go off then the engine is getting heated up. If you then start and its still pretty dodgy then you may have a bigger problem.
But it could just be a weak battery that is straining to start the engine or (again, I have this problem) not all the glow plugs are heating so maybe two of the four cylinders are hot and ready to go but the other two are still freezing and need time to catch up.

tipp86

bbk wrote: »

If you can switch the battery with a new one and you still have the starting problem (make sure the engine is cold to test) then I would say its a coolant temperature sensor problem. I have the same problem.
In the cold I would crank the engine, it would chugg and chugg and then start or if I thought the engine was catching it would die just as I let go of the key. Just as you say, its teasing me lol

A way to check is on the next cold start tomorrow morning or whatever turn the key two notches and make note of the glow plug light on the dash. (the coil mentioned)


On your car it should be to the left of the dash in the middle of the rev counter.

If it lights up with the rest of the dash lights and then goes off with the rest of the them then you have a problem.
That means the faulty temperature sensor is telling the cars computer that its warm out when its actually bloody freezing so the glow plugs dont heat up the engine to assist startup, then you get a bad start up.
But thats good
Its a quick and cheap fix if you are DIY inclined.

If it stays on for a few seconds (about 8 seconds for me) after the other dash lights go off then the engine is getting heated up. If you then start and its still pretty dodgy then you may have a bigger problem.
But it could just be a weak battery that is straining to start the engine or (again, I have this problem) not all the glow plugs are heating so maybe two of the four cylinders are hot and ready to go but the other two are still freezing and need time to catch up.

Thanks great response il check that ! Any tips as to why i cant start it with a jump start now?

Any tips would a diesel car be better to start it off? Stronger jump leads maybe?

GTE

tipp86 wrote: »

Thanks great response il check that ! Any tips as to why i cant start it with a jump start now?

Any tips would a diesel car be better to start it off? Stronger jump leads maybe?

Lol, I kinda missed that part of your first post haha. i cant help you there Im afraid.

tipp86

bbk wrote: »

Lol, I kinda missed that part of your first post haha. i cant help you there Im afraid.

Thanks ! I was just advised to leave the other car hooked up for 5 or 10 minutes