Golf not starting - Help!

[Sharkie]

I've been away this week and the MK4 was used as a runaround for a few days by my brother. He last drove it on Wednesday with no issues and now there is nothing when turning the key (tried both).

The battery is fine, lights etcs work, but no click and no starter. The dash warning lights does not come on at all when turning the key.

Anybody have any ideas?

Ignition switch related? Loose earth? Anything?

[The One]

Check for spark maybe? Sounds like a bad dizzy and I'm fairly certain mk4 golfs were still using Dizzies, correct me if I'm wrong..

[thestu]

Same thing has happened to my mums 9n2 polo...

I suspect imoballiser playing up. Used to happen in my mk3. not sure how to fix it in these im sorry!

[JustCruisn]

I'd be checking the earth at the battery. Move it around and tighten again.
What voltage reading do you get at the battery ?

[Clarkee_vw]

Re: Golf not starting - Help!

Same thing has happened to my mums 9n2 polo...

I suspect imoballiser playing up. Used to happen in my mk3. not sure how to fix it in these im sorry!

Immobilizer will still let the engine start but it will stall straight away. There is a wire that clips to the solinoid on the starter that has a wire clip holding it in place. Its the signal wire to tell it to turn over. Check it hasn't come off or loose. Check the power cable hasn't come off the starter as well. The first happened to me a few weeks back :/

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[Clarkee_vw]

Re: Golf not starting - Help!



Just went and took this lol I circled the plug

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[JustCruisn]

Make sure you disconnect the battery before putting anything metal near the solinoid. Those 2 nuts have power in them and will spark like all hell if you are not careful. They should also have plastic covers.

[Stan]

still sounds like a dead or short battery , check voltage across battery, should still read just over 12v with car off

[JustCruisn]

still sounds like a dead or short battery , check voltage across battery, should still read just over 12v with car off

Then see what the voltage drops to when you try to turn it over.

Have you called RACQ yet ?

[Sharkie]

Thanks for all the input guys, checked everything suggested and all came up good.

Then found this thread http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ure-80775.html pulled the ignition switch out and there was the broken metal tab.

Turning the ignition switch with a screwdriver means I have warning lights on the dash again, so confirmed.

Now how to get the ignition barrel out and replaced ..... ????

[Stan]

try this:

VWVortex.com - **Ignition Switch Replacement DIY**

[Sharkie]

try this:

VWVortex.com - **Ignition Switch Replacement DIY**

Thanks mate found it a few days ago and did it today. Took a bit of time (and some swearing) but got it out and replaced. Did not remove the steering wheel and only used a chisel and a hammer to remove the shear bolts. A mech on Vortex said to whack them hard with a ball peen hammer first and then to use a sharp chisel and heavy hammer and he was right

Here is the lock after I pulled it out.



Its that little tab that caused all the issues

So, if your MK4 ever not have any response turning the ignition key, this is a possible cause

It starts and can now be driven back to Bne tomorrow after living on the sunny coast for a week

[Stan]

great work!
I always thought that if jobs cant be done with a hammer, they must be electrical - looks like i was wrong!