Mk2 golf not starting...

richie h

unread,

Jul 12, 2008, 9:55:14 AM7/12/08

to

Mk2 Starting problem frustration....
Hello folks, to start this thread the words " the lights on but
nobody's home" sums up my frustrating problem with this motor.
Bought this car recently and been ok until now, considering its over 20
years old, i was'nt expecting trouble free motoring with rose tinted
spectecles.
Being handy with spanners is not a problem,but this problems got to
me.
My girlfriend parked it up the other day after a trip, later i need the
space for the van, get in, turn the key and nothing.
Having tried all the obvious things and then: battery charged, fuses,
earth strap, multi meter to starter/solenoid etc, i then decided to
consult Mr Haynes.
Changed the ignition switch behind key cylinder, there was no solenoid
click so i changed the starter motor/solenoid, still no click!
So now it still does nothing when you turn key, the apart from battery
and oil light functioning ok.
Perhaps the relays? The wiring diagrams are complicated to say the
least.
Please would someone pull me out of the dark or shoot me, as i do not
want this car to go to china.
Many thanks.

--
richie h

SFC

unread,

Jul 12, 2008, 1:11:58 PM7/12/08

to

Try running a heavy gauge wire from the positive battery terminal to
terminal 50 on the starter motor. If the solenoid clicks then check the
wiring from the ign. switch to this terminal. There's no relay between the
ign. switch and this terminal just one wire.

SFC

"richie h" <richie.h...@autobanter.co.uk> schreef in bericht
news:richie.h...@autobanter.co.uk...

Chris Bartram

unread,

Jul 12, 2008, 6:11:30 PM7/12/08

to

SFC wrote:
> Try running a heavy gauge wire from the positive battery terminal to
> terminal 50 on the starter motor. If the solenoid clicks then check the
> wiring from the ign. switch to this terminal. There's no relay between the
> ign. switch and this terminal just one wire.
>
> SFC

That's good advice, and correct.

It's not unknown for the starter switch to fail. I had exactly this
problem with my Mk2 Golf, and found a non-standard fuse in the starter
solenoid feed: I think an immobiliser had been romoved and the fuse used
to brideg the gap.

richie h

unread,

Jul 13, 2008, 9:29:43 AM7/13/08

to

Chris Bartram;424883 Wrote:
> SFC wrote:-

> Try running a heavy gauge wire from the positive battery terminal to
> terminal 50 on the starter motor. If the solenoid clicks then check
> the
> wiring from the ign. switch to this terminal. There's no relay between
> the
> ign. switch and this terminal just one wire.
>

> SFC-

> That's good advice, and correct.
>
> It's not unknown for the starter switch to fail. I had exactly this
> problem with my Mk2 Golf, and found a non-standard fuse in the starter
>
> solenoid feed: I think an immobiliser had been romoved and the fuse
> used
> to brideg the gap.

Thanks for the advice guys i finally got it running. Shoot me now, it
was the battery that caused the problem. I had charged it overnight
then checked the voltage, which read 12.8 volts, but when connected it
just did not have the grunt to get things going. The interior light
dimming when i tried turning anything else on gave it away. My spare
Transit battery works a treat!

--
richie h

Ears

unread,

Jul 18, 2008, 11:40:43 PM7/18/08

to

A bad battery won't take a charge but might still supply enough power
for auxillary lights and a click from the starter. Check that battery
again!