VW Golf R32 MK5 refuses to start - but OK when running

[boxhead]

Hi everyone,

I have a Volkswagen Golf MK5 R32 manual (not DSG) that has decided to not start anymore. The car was showing some signs of struggling to start yesterday and this morning and once running would drive perfectly fine with no performance problems / fluid loss / dash errors, but then it would not fire up this evening when leaving work. Here is what I know so far:

- The battery isn't the issue, all electrical components work fine and it has plenty of charge.
- The starter motor turns over and has not deteriorated in performance or sound, it cranks over but just won't fire up (although I didn't try holding the key on START for longer than 2-3 seconds).
- The fuel pump did activate and made noise
- R32s have a coil pack for each cylinder yes? If so, it couldn't be that all 6 coil packs have failed at once?
- As mentioned earlier, the car had experienced difficulty in starting yesterday but once running, it has no problem with the way it drives, deliver power, no error codes or dash lights etc. Which tells me that it is an electrical issue on start up only.
- When the car wouldn't start, it didn't display any error codes or lights on the dash.

The only things I can think of is bad earthing somewhere, a sensor (crank angle?), or a faulty fuel pump (even though it was active and feeding fuel to the engine).

The spark plugs were changed only a few months ago at Audvolks, actually it had a full maintenance overhaul in terms of oil, filters, haldex etc. (doubt it will make a difference, but I am just mentioning this for information purposes).

Most VW mechanics in Melb are closed until the 6th, so I can't do anything with it until then so I wanted to know what peoples experiences with this - has anyone come across this before and what resolved it?

I did a search on the forum before posting, the only one that sounded remotely similar was this - except no definitive reason was provided, giving it some throttle hasn't made a difference, and it was a MK4:

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/f14/r32-starting-issues-35454.html

Thanks for your help guys! It would be good to rule out some things myself if possible.

[robbie]

I assume that you have looked at all the fuses and the ones in the engine bay under the battery cover.


Process of elimination:

Alternator
Battery
Fuel pump - even a relay could cause the car to start
Coil packs
Ebox
Faulty connections?
Starter motor?

Additionally worth checking the belt tension as this drives the alternator. Are all the electrics working? Have you had car scanned for any error codes by a local member or VW/AUDI specialist? It would be very very rare that you would have a failure of ALL coilpacks at the same time. What year is your R32?

If it is 07 or thereabouts, there is a recall on coil packs for certain VINs. The coil packs are known to fail. There is a lot of trial and error in these things.

[boxhead]

Yes its a 2007. Didn't know about the recall. Is there a VIN number range I should be looking for or a build date range? If coil packs went, wouldn't the car run like absolute balls once it did start? (I don't know either way, hence why I'm asking).

I'm confident that it isn't alternator, battery, starter and semi-confident it is not fuel pump based on what I had tested before with the roadside assistance guy. Haven't had the car scanned, I can't do that for a week or so. All of the VW specialists are closed for the holidays and there's no chance of getting it into a dealership.

All electrics are working, I'll check the belts, fuses are fine, faulty connection would be likely but which ones specifically should I look for, as the ones for the battery itself are fine.

[Umai Naa!!]

I'd say it's probably the crank angle sensor.

Will it fire if you continuously crank it?

[robbie]

Is there a recall sticker on the inside of your drivers door jamb? Most of them suffered from the nasty misfire with faulty coil packs. Whereabouts in Melbourne are you? Fingers crossed its something simple, just a pain in the bum for you I bet

Faulty engine speed sensor?

[boxhead]

Umai - it would eventually fire up yesterday, but today - nothing. Funnily enough my first car was a VL Commodore (12 years ago) and I killed a CAS in that and it behaved in the exact same way.

Robbie - Eastern suburbs, Volkspower is down the road and Audvolks is about 20min south. I'll check the door jam day after tomorrow, but I've never had any misfiring from general driving.

[robbie]

PM one of the guys in this thread Shane - http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...elp-27504.html

Ask if they would be willing to scan your car this week. Take it to your dealer and tell them about the recall and they should be able to check if your car's VIN is one of those covered. If it is, then the replacement should be free.

The 30 amp fuse could have some arcs on each legs which is causing the starting problem. It could be something as simple as an ant infestation, or just some corrosion on the wires and connections.

PM Tim! - http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/members/tim/

[boxhead]

I'll have a look at the 30 amp fuse when I check the door jam.

PM sent

[boxhead]

Wasn't able to hook up a VAG-COM cable this week, so the car isnt going anywhere until Monday.

If anyone else has experienced similar symptoms to above and know what the cause is then let me know.

[Jmac]

Replace the fuse anyway, it can look ok but be frazzled , and power will go across it if checked but it can be cracked at the heel of the fuse.
Jmac

[boxhead]

Hi everyone,

I'm just replying for search purposes in case anyone else comes across a similar problem - but the fault turned out to be the engine speed sensor. It had gone rabid and thus prevented the engine from turning over, trying to protect the engine from a fault that didn't exist. Has been replaced and have also had the fuse box cleaned up at the same time.

Picking up tonight. Thanks again for everyones assistance.

[Johnbu]

Good news I suppose.

Who diagnosed the issue?

[boxhead]

Audvolks in Clayton South, Melbourne. Fantasic bunch of guys.

[Luke83]

Hi mate I'm actually experiencing the same thing although I have been able to get the car started if I keep on cranking it so I'm best to check the crank sensor?