Golf Won’t Start

#1

This is an annoying intermittent will-not-start problem in a 2.0 GL
Mark IV. There is no problem with warning lights. When the car
starts, it runs fine; has never stalled or died. There does not seem
to be any relation to wet, dry, cold or hot weather. Battery is
plenty strong.
SYMPTOMS: On some attempts, the engine just turns over and nothing
happens. On other attempts, the engine will fire momentarily, then
expire. If we let it sit for a while (at least a half hour, sometimes
longer), it may start the next time. I can hear the fuel pump running
when I turn the key "ON", and, of course, it must be working
properly, since the car runs fine, once it starts.
We have replaced the Hall-Effect device on the distributor and had key
codes checked.
I have not been able to check if there is spark, when nothing happens;
difficult to do by myself. Since the engine does sometimes ignite, my
instinct is that there is a sensor malfunction that is causing the
fuel pump to cut out, incorrectly thinking that the engine has stopped
running. The sensation is certainly the same as when a car quits,
when it has run out of gas. But, I don’t know what would be sensed
just during the ignition process.
Any advice?

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#2

In rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled, alottamalarkey wrote:

Quote:

This is an annoying intermittent will-not-start problem in a 2.0 GL
Mark IV.

It is my experience that people can provide better info if you
specify the year.

<snip>

Quote:

SYMPTOMS: On some attempts, the engine just turns over and nothing
happens. On other attempts, the engine will fire momentarily, then
expire. If we let it sit for a while (at least a half hour, sometimes
longer), it may start the next time. I can hear the fuel pump running
when I turn the key "ON", and, of course, it must be working
properly, since the car runs fine, once it starts.
We have replaced the Hall-Effect device on the distributor and had key
codes checked.
I have not been able to check if there is spark, when nothing happens;
difficult to do by myself.

I suggest you try a timing light when the episode occurs. You may
know someone who has one gathering dust. The fact that the timing
light fires does not guarantee the spark is adequate, but it would
identify a missing spark. Try it out when the problem is not there,
so you know it works and you know how it connects.

Then hook it up when the problem occurs-- before the half hour
elapses.

#3

I always check the ign. switch!
When it is not starting try pushing ign. switch (moving key) around while
cranking.
I had to repair the ign. switch in my Passat.

Maybe bad crank position sensor???
later,
dave

"alottamalarkey" <UseLinkToEmail (AT) AutoForumz (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

This is an annoying intermittent will-not-start problem in a 2.0 GL
Mark IV. There is no problem with warning lights. When the car
starts, it runs fine; has never stalled or died. There does not seem
to be any relation to wet, dry, cold or hot weather. Battery is
plenty strong.
SYMPTOMS: On some attempts, the engine just turns over and nothing
happens. On other attempts, the engine will fire momentarily, then
expire. If we let it sit for a while (at least a half hour, sometimes
longer), it may start the next time. I can hear the fuel pump running
when I turn the key "ON", and, of course, it must be working
properly, since the car runs fine, once it starts.
We have replaced the Hall-Effect device on the distributor and had key
codes checked.
I have not been able to check if there is spark, when nothing happens;
difficult to do by myself. Since the engine does sometimes ignite, my
instinct is that there is a sensor malfunction that is causing the
fuel pump to cut out, incorrectly thinking that the engine has stopped
running. The sensation is certainly the same as when a car quits,
when it has run out of gas. But, I don't know what would be sensed
just during the ignition process.
Any advice?

#4

YA know, to 99% of us dealer techs like myself we know the car by year,
model, engine, etc. Here in the USA MarkIV means nothing to most of us. So
what do you own, then I can help? I like to here words like Golf, Jetta,
Passat, etc

"alottamalarkey" <UseLinkToEmail (AT) AutoForumz (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

This is an annoying intermittent will-not-start problem in a 2.0 GL
Mark IV. There is no problem with warning lights. When the car
starts, it runs fine; has never stalled or died. There does not seem
to be any relation to wet, dry, cold or hot weather. Battery is
plenty strong.
SYMPTOMS: On some attempts, the engine just turns over and nothing
happens. On other attempts, the engine will fire momentarily, then
expire. If we let it sit for a while (at least a half hour, sometimes
longer), it may start the next time. I can hear the fuel pump running
when I turn the key "ON", and, of course, it must be working
properly, since the car runs fine, once it starts.
We have replaced the Hall-Effect device on the distributor and had key
codes checked.
I have not been able to check if there is spark, when nothing happens;
difficult to do by myself. Since the engine does sometimes ignite, my
instinct is that there is a sensor malfunction that is causing the
fuel pump to cut out, incorrectly thinking that the engine has stopped
running. The sensation is certainly the same as when a car quits,
when it has run out of gas. But, I don't know what would be sensed
just during the ignition process.
Any advice?

--
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Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
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#5

Woodchuck wrote:

Quote:

YA know, to 99% of us dealer techs like myself we know the car by year,
model, engine, etc. Here in the USA MarkIV means nothing to most of us. So
what do you own, then I can help? I like to here words like Golf, Jetta,
Passat, etc

He already said it was a Golf. He's talking about an A4 Golf.

--
Mike Smith

#6

Doesn't A4 mean American Market 4th Generation?

Doesn't the MarkIV designation come from Europe? So it might have different
options that are not available in the USA and vice versa?
http://www.cbg.ie/article.asp?listMode=review&ID=729
"The Golf has been the car to own in the C-segment longer than I have been
alive, testament to this can be seen that the car has been a massive seller
across Europe. In 2002, in its second last year in Mark IV form, it was the
biggest selling car in Europe."

Just trying to learn here! :-)
thanks,
dave

"Mike Smith" <mike_UNDERSCORE_smith (AT) acm (DOT) DOT.org> wrote

Quote:

Woodchuck wrote:

YA know, to 99% of us dealer techs like myself we know the car by year,
model, engine, etc. Here in the USA MarkIV means nothing to most of us.
So
what do you own, then I can help? I like to here words like Golf, Jetta,
Passat, etc

He already said it was a Golf. He's talking about an A4 Golf.

--
Mike Smith

#7

One out of many daves wrote:

Quote:

Doesn't A4 mean American Market 4th Generation?

I don't think the "A" stands for "American", since there is also a "B"
platform (Passat/Audi A4), a "D" platform (Phaeton/Audi A8) and a "T"
platform (Transporter aka Eurovan).

Quote:

Doesn't the MarkIV designation come from Europe?

I think it specifically refers to the UK.

Quote:

So it might have different
options that are not available in the USA and vice versa?

Sure.

--
Mike S

#8

"One out of many daves" wrote:

Quote:

Doesn't A4 mean American Market 4th Generation?

Doesn't the MarkIV designation come from Europe? So it might
have different
options that are not available in the USA and vice versa?
http://www.cbg.ie/article.asp?listMode=review&ID=729
"The Golf has been the car to own in the C-segment longer than
I have been
alive, testament to this can be seen that the car has been a
massive seller
across Europe. In 2002, in its second last year in Mark IV
form, it was the
biggest selling car in Europe."

Just trying to learn here! :-)
thanks,
dave

"Mike Smith" <mike_UNDERSCORE_smith (AT) acm (DOT) DOT.org> wrote in
message
news:115trg2r8ph6t20 (AT) news (DOT) supernews.com...
Woodchuck wrote:

 > > YA know, to 99% of us dealer techs like myself we
know the car by year,
 > > model, engine, etc. Here in the USA MarkIV means
nothing to most of us.
So
 > > what do you own, then I can help? I like to here
words like Golf, Jetta,
 > > Passat, etc

He already said it was a Golf. He's talking about an A4
Golf.

--
Mike Smith

Thank you to previous respondents re this problem and apologies for
missing out an important piece of data. ’Tis a 1997 registered VW
Golf 2.0 that is causing the problem. And yes, VW Golfs are one of
the most commonly seen cars in the UK.

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#9

Well I have seen Rabbits/Jettas from 1975-1984 in the USA referred to as A1s
Golf/Jettas from 1985-1992(?) as A2s
Golf/Jettas from 1993-1997(?) as A3s
Golf/Jettas from 1998-? as A4s.

So when people refer to the VW A4s what does that mean besides Jettas/Golfs
from 1998 to ???

Yeah that A4 confuses me when I hear it since I already know about the Audi
A4s.
Yeah I know about the Bs being the Dasher/Passat line.
The Type 1s were commonly referred to as Beetles.

thanks,
dave

Quote:

Doesn't A4 mean American Market 4th Generation?

I don't think the "A" stands for "American", since there is also a "B"
platform (Passat/Audi A4), a "D" platform (Phaeton/Audi A8) and a "T"
platform (Transporter aka Eurovan).

#10

first thing i'd try is a dizzy cap and rotor arm, and a set of plugs and
leads. does sound lke and ignition fault to me

"alottamalarkey" <UseLinkToEmail (AT) AutoForumz (DOT) com> wrote

Quote:

This is an annoying intermittent will-not-start problem in a 2.0 GL
Mark IV. There is no problem with warning lights. When the car
starts, it runs fine; has never stalled or died. There does not seem
to be any relation to wet, dry, cold or hot weather. Battery is
plenty strong.
SYMPTOMS: On some attempts, the engine just turns over and nothing
happens. On other attempts, the engine will fire momentarily, then
expire. If we let it sit for a while (at least a half hour, sometimes
longer), it may start the next time. I can hear the fuel pump running
when I turn the key "ON", and, of course, it must be working
properly, since the car runs fine, once it starts.
We have replaced the Hall-Effect device on the distributor and had key
codes checked.
I have not been able to check if there is spark, when nothing happens;
difficult to do by myself. Since the engine does sometimes ignite, my
instinct is that there is a sensor malfunction that is causing the
fuel pump to cut out, incorrectly thinking that the engine has stopped
running. The sensation is certainly the same as when a car quits,
when it has run out of gas. But, I don't know what would be sensed
just during the ignition process.
Any advice?

--
Posted using the http://www.autoforumz.com interface, at author's request
Articles individually checked for conformance to usenet standards
Topic URL:
http://www.autoforumz.com/Volkswagen...ict111983.html
Visit Topic URL to contact author (reg. req'd). Report abuse:
http://www.autoforumz.com/eform.php?p=525900

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Golf Won’t Start

Volkswagen Golf, Jetta, Corrado, Vanagon, new models, etc. (rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled)

Golf Won’t Start - 04-13-2005 , 01:11 PM

Re: Golf Won’t Start - 04-13-2005 , 01:49 PM

Re: Golf Won't Start - 04-13-2005 , 09:46 PM

Re: Golf Won't Start - 04-14-2005 , 04:51 PM

Re: Golf Won't Start - 04-14-2005 , 06:26 PM

Re: Golf Won't Start - 04-15-2005 , 08:36 AM

Re: Golf Won't Start - 04-15-2005 , 11:01 AM

Re: Re: Golf Won't Start - 04-15-2005 , 11:09 AM

NOW what does the VW A4 mean?....WAS Golf Won't Start - 04-18-2005 , 11:02 PM

Re: Golf Won't Start - 04-19-2005 , 06:52 AM