GTI Starting Issue

[UKDavo]

Hey guys!

I'll just straight into it, had my car in my garage whilst sorting bits out and getting it road worthy.

Every few days, I started it to make sure all was good and the battery wasn't dying.

I get some GTI stock wheels today and fit them, I decide to take the car round the corner to the petrol station to fill up... The car won't start.

Doesn't even crank, as soon as you move the key from electrics to ignition, everything cuts out! All the lights go off and there no sound, nothing.

I thought initially it was the battery, so I borrow a portable battery pack and tried that... No luck, still won't start. All the electrics work fine until I turn the key to ignition and then it all falls apart.

Anyone have any advice for me? Car is booked in for a road worthy and registration at Vic Roads tomorrow .

Cheers
Dave

[Enile8POLO]

Bash the starter motor mate? Sounds like it could be that.

[UKDavo]

What should I do? Do I need a replacement?

Can't believe this has happened literally hours before it's get back on the road!

[Enile8POLO]

Give it a bash with a hammer and then see if it cranks. If it works then you'll need a new starter

[UKDavo]

Haha sounds harsh but I'll give it a crack.

If it gets to the garage in the morning then all it good and they can do what they need to .

Cheers

[Enile8POLO]

No worries mate. Its usually a solenoid that buggers up. Giving it a whack sometimes helps. Good luck with it and the inspection.

[Stan]

sorry Davo - you said all falls apart - the ignition switch? If so - that was your issue - need a new one.
If not starter solenoid or even possibly a dead battery - if they are gone far enough or lose a cell, they can cause weird electrical glitches or the symptoms you described

[tek199]

batteries develop cracks. so they will allow low current (giving your multimeter around 12V when measuring) but go open under load. Get a mate to check the voltage across the battery when you try to crank.
I had this happen to me twice (in a Ford then again in a Pug 306).

[UKDavo]

Hey guys, all good!

Turns out it WAS the battery, it was literally on it's last legs, so when the charge ran out, it refused to recharge.

Used jumper cables and got it started and my mechanic said when he tried to restart it an hour later, it wouldn't start again.

Replaced the battery and now all good . Cheers for the help guys!

I do however have a new problem, will search abit first and make a new thread.