Can't get the car too start. It appears to be sparking ok and I have tested all the spark plugs. The fuel pump primes and the car turns over but does not start. The spark plugs are not wet with fuel with I take them out after attempting to start. Does this mean that there is a fuel problem? HELP
does the fuel prime for a short period and then stop or does it run constantly? check all the earth leads too
if its getting fuel and sparking try the ignition moduel thats ontop of the ECU. Had this 3-4 times. For some reason they blew?
sorry guys for taking ages to reply, I have been away on holiday! Now with the mot in 2 and a half weeks I am starting to panic since the car wont even start! The car is a 1989 (G registration) 1.8 8v digi. The pump primes when the ignition is turned then goes off again. I have checked all the spark plugs and they all work fine. Two of you are saying faulty ignition? What exactly should I be looking to replace. I don't know my way about cars very well as this is my first car. Thanks
it should also be noted that after attempting to start the engine several times, I took the spark plugs out and there was no petrol on them. I dont know if this is significant or not?
a way to test if fuel get some pre start , get someone to spray it in the inlet (filter end with filter removed) whilst trying to start it . if tries to start could be fuel rail ,check wiring. did you by the car as a non runner, or did it just stop running?
or could be. coil tci earths big vacuum leak air flow meter timing haynes tells you how to test some of these, do you have a volt meter
does the pump run while its cranking over on the starter? if not its the hall sender or wiring to it most likely
Some exciting news tonight! Found a cable at the injectors that had snapped, which meant they were not pumping fuel to the spark plugs. After bodging it back to together the sparks are now getting fuel and it is ALMOST starting. It is popping and banging but I think since the spark from the plugs is so weak it is not starting fully. New set of plugs going in tomorrow evening then fingers crossed it shall work.
urrgghhhhhh. Still no luck. It's almost catching just not quite going. Tomorrow I am going to try and jump start it and if still no luck then its going into a mates garage.
By ignition, I meant the ignition switch itself. The ignition barrel wears out over years of srarting, heavy bunches of keys hanging out of the switch, worn inner contacts . I found out about it purely by accident, getting a tow back to base. Turned ignition on, oil and charge light on the dash, 'bum' start on the run and it fired up like there was never a problem. What I did notice was that when you turn the key to the ACC position, you should have the oil and charge light on the panel. When you go to CRANK position they should still be lit. The oil light might go out once it reaches sufficient pressure.These lights should go off once it starts. If they go out/off in CRANK mode you have an ignition barrel problem. You mention 'popping' & 'banging'! Sounds like a timing issue.
when my coil died it sounded like the timing was out, it would backfire and refuse to start, then start fine, then die etc.
Tried to jump start it the other night, it was just popping and banging out the exhaust, but it wouldn't start. It is getting spark, although it is a bit weak. It is getting fuel ok. The engine timing is fine. Did a compression test and everything was ok. The mechanic that has been helping me has basically said hes doesn't really know whats up anymore as he thinks it should run the way it is. His only other thoughts were looking at the ignition side of things, for example, new leads from the dizzy, new dizzy cap etc. any thoughts? desperate to get this thing going!
if its not had ign service for a while id have new sparks, leads, cap and arm from http://www.vwspares.co.uk
cheers john. Its had new sparks but thats about it. I'll give it a go. It started when I was towing it the other day, but had no acceleration when i hit the gas pedal and when I put the clutch in it just died.
