Starting problem - HELP!

[walshydub]

Me again!! Car is starting to give me the sh*ts!!

Bit of background, car has a new battery and had been sat in the garage all night. No stereo or any other electrics were switched on.

Attempt 1: Turned the key, dash lights up as normal. Went to start it and there was a distinct click and then nothing. Dash was dead. I checked everything was tight with the connections. Went back and the clock on the dash was on.

Attempt 2: Turned key lights came on went to start, it turned over and caught briefly but cut out. Went to try again and CLICK!! Dead. Check connections etc.

Attempt 3: Turned key lights came on. Went to start and CLICK!! Dead. This time didn't check anything just gave it a few seconds and the dash clock came back.

Attempt 4: Turned key lights came on. Went to start and CLICK!! Dead. Swore, kicked it and grabbed the missus' keys.

I am guessing something is tripping out but what and why. Its booked in with a garage on Tuesday for a check over & service, but i still need to get it there.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[VwJunkie]

Hey mate,

Had the exact same problem with mine too, new battery and next day it wouldnt start and did exactly what yours did. I ended up disconnecting the boot light as it wouldnt turn off when i closed the boot. Since then i havent had a prob... I dont know how a lil light can drain your battery but check if it switches off... might solve your prob! Otherwise alternator might be stuffed and not charge when you drive?

[walshydub]

Hey mate,

Had the exact same problem with mine too, new battery and next day it wouldnt start and did exactly what yours did. I ended up disconnecting the boot light as it wouldnt turn off when i closed the boot. Since then i havent had a prob... I dont know how a lil light can drain your battery but check if it switches off... might solve your prob! Otherwise alternator might be stuffed and not charge when you drive?

The alternator is fine, tested last night because it was a bit slow in starting. How do you disconnect the boot light?

[tommymac]

Do you have an alarm or something?

Mine used to drain in 2 days due to my alarm LED, silly but true. There must be something drawing power which would be stuff like, alarm, dome light door switches (faulty), and other assessories that are on when the car is off. Have you wired anything to contast power lately?

[walshydub]

Do you have an alarm or something?

Mine used to drain in 2 days due to my alarm LED, silly but true. There must be something drawing power which would be stuff like, alarm, dome light door switches (faulty), and other assessories that are on when the car is off. Have you wired anything to contast power lately?

No alarm and very little in the way of electrics. Its a very basic car.

So i'm guessing it must be a battery problem, but i don't understand why it would just loose all power when i go to start it but the power return after a minute or so. All the dash lights & interior lights still work when its not switched on. Would just re-charging the battery be a short term fix?

[tommymac]

its a mk2 odd things happen.

try change the battery.

[OEM G60]

Maybe try jump starting it off your other car? Leave it running/take it around the block a couple of times and see what happens next time you try to start it?

[walshydub]

its a mk2 odd things happen.

try change the battery.

True, it'll probably start up fine when i get home

Like i said the battery is only a bout a week old.

[tommymac]

did it do it with the old batt?

[walshydub]

did it do it with the old batt?

No, it was different with the old battery. It just did the classic slow starting, lights dimmed and wouldn't catch. That battery got slowly worse, with me having to charge it every day and eventually wouldn't hold any charge.

This new battery has been fine since i've had it in. Today was the first time it has failed to start.

The thing i can't work out is that everything seems normal until I turn the key the final turn and it just dies completely as if a fuse blows. But the power returns after a short time.

[tommymac]

Have you inspected the neg and pos terminal?

[walshydub]

Have you inspected the neg and pos terminal?

Didn't have time this morning, had to get to work. I'll have another check when i get home.

If there is anything wrong, what should i look for?

[tommymac]

dodgey cables etc I mean the Mk2 is known for bad earths and all sorts, I would look at the cables if they look bad then maybe replace them. Check the actual batt terminals to see if they are scummy too.

Out of interest did the car ever have an immobilser?

[walshydub]

dodgey cables etc I mean the Mk2 is known for bad earths and all sorts, I would look at the cables if they look bad then maybe replace them. Check the actual batt terminals to see if they are scummy too.

Out of interest did the car ever have an immobilser?

Not that i know of. Is this what an immobiliser would do?

I'll have a check of all the wires terminals etc when i get home.

[tommymac]

No not really, it was a bit of a pointless question. An immob would kill the ignition completly.

I mean my car has had your symptoms but it was due to the battery being crapola.

Used just have to be systamatic in your search, check the lines etc etc

I would seriously take the batt back and swap it for another one. This will eliminate the batt fro being the issue.