Why won't she start?
Discussion
I've tried posting this on other forums with no luck...then i stumbled across PH, hopefully someone here can help me.
I have an M reg, 1.9 nastily aspirated diesel golf match.
I have problems starting, sometimes as i turn the key if it doesn't fire up straight away i'll spend the next ten minutes re-heating the glow plugs and turning it over until eventually it fires into life. Other days she'll start no problems at all.
I took it to a garage when they found the glow plug timer and wires had burnt out, so they replaced this and the glow plugs, and away i went only to find a few days later...the problem starts again. I've checked the voltage to the plugs and it seems fine...although as a check i have a hard wired cable on the glow plugs that i can connect to the battery if to make sure they're warmed for long enough. This seems to help but i don't think this is the root of the problem.
If you've got this far - Well done! hopefully someone has experienced the same problem, and knows how to cure it!
P.S - It might be worth mentioning that once its started i don't normally have a problem starting it again during the day.
If my timing belt was out, would it still run fine once it was started?
Once it's runnning it goes like a dream, i really am at the end of my tether, no one i know can tell me what the problem is. Can't even flog it (not that i want to).
Leanne
I have an M reg, 1.9 nastily aspirated diesel golf match.
I have problems starting, sometimes as i turn the key if it doesn't fire up straight away i'll spend the next ten minutes re-heating the glow plugs and turning it over until eventually it fires into life. Other days she'll start no problems at all.
I took it to a garage when they found the glow plug timer and wires had burnt out, so they replaced this and the glow plugs, and away i went only to find a few days later...the problem starts again. I've checked the voltage to the plugs and it seems fine...although as a check i have a hard wired cable on the glow plugs that i can connect to the battery if to make sure they're warmed for long enough. This seems to help but i don't think this is the root of the problem.
If you've got this far - Well done! hopefully someone has experienced the same problem, and knows how to cure it!
P.S - It might be worth mentioning that once its started i don't normally have a problem starting it again during the day.
If my timing belt was out, would it still run fine once it was started?
Once it's runnning it goes like a dream, i really am at the end of my tether, no one i know can tell me what the problem is. Can't even flog it (not that i want to).
Leanne
If the timing belt was out you would normally know about it once the engine had started.
You may find the hall sender for the fuel distribution unit is playing up.
Failing that I have heard that 167 relay have played up on the mk3 golfs, but I dont know if this was ever an issue on the Diesels.
Hope you find your problem soon!
You may find the hall sender for the fuel distribution unit is playing up.
Failing that I have heard that 167 relay have played up on the mk3 golfs, but I dont know if this was ever an issue on the Diesels.
Hope you find your problem soon!
The 167 relay is a fuel relay so nothing to do with the glow plug timer.
So long as you havent got common rail injection then you should have a hall sender for the fuel distribution unit. As far as I am aware the golf mk3 hasnt got common rail injection as it uses older technology.
From the sounds of things it seems you have either have an ignition problem or fueling problem and as you have had your ignition looked at and everything seemed fine I reckon it would be fueling.
I would be very suprised if the timing is out as normally the car would run like a dog and have very little power, but cars have been known to jump a tooth with very little effect.
So long as you havent got common rail injection then you should have a hall sender for the fuel distribution unit. As far as I am aware the golf mk3 hasnt got common rail injection as it uses older technology.
From the sounds of things it seems you have either have an ignition problem or fueling problem and as you have had your ignition looked at and everything seemed fine I reckon it would be fueling.
I would be very suprised if the timing is out as normally the car would run like a dog and have very little power, but cars have been known to jump a tooth with very little effect.
ciderminx said:
Cheers! watch this space...Have a cunning plan to leave the car with my dad for the weekend while i take the dog, crate of strongbow and a load of mates camping! With any luck, i'll come back to find it fixed 
Genius!
Thats what I used to do with my old mini as unless you had hands the size of an 8 year old girl you had no chance of reaching things. Needless to say I would sod off for a while whilst he would strip the engine down and fix the car for me!
drnick said:
are the injector seals ok? leaking seals can cause poor starting! also is there fuel at the injectors when you first start up? had problems where fuel used to drain back to the tank over night, a one way valve in the fuel pipe sorted it! hope this helps!
hey, this sounds like what is wrong with my car, have to turn the engine for an age to pump the diesel back up! what causes this and where can i get a one way valve from?
ding dong! Wow! i havn't checked the forum for ages as i didn't expect anymore replies! I'm still waiting fot the haynes manual to appear...pesky amazon, should have just popped into halfords.
Unfortunately i'm the person on the left
Right, i will call my dad and see what he thinks to your answers...seeing as he is the one with his head under the bonnet most of the time while i pinch his bmw!
Unfortunately i'm the person on the left
Right, i will call my dad and see what he thinks to your answers...seeing as he is the one with his head under the bonnet most of the time while i pinch his bmw!
Just beware if you post anything on The Pie & Piston, they'll latch onto you and you'll be bombarded with the most corny lines you've ever heard.
Good luck with the Golf and let us know how it goes at the weekend.
Have you tried www.edition38.com ? They have a MK3 section with some very knowledgable guys and friendly in a non creepy way!
PS Don't worry about your mate I would say you can hold your own in the looks department!
Good luck with the Golf and let us know how it goes at the weekend.
Have you tried www.edition38.com ? They have a MK3 section with some very knowledgable guys and friendly in a non creepy way!
PS Don't worry about your mate I would say you can hold your own in the looks department!
Edited by greatgranny on Thursday 12th April 14:09
Edited by greatgranny on Thursday 12th April 14:11
no worries hope you fix it! also does a mk3 golf have a timer relay? had problem with starting and had this replaced with the glow plugs!im only going on problems and cures from a vectra diesel the valve got fitted at a vauxhall garage its only a little thing think it was fitted in the fuel line before the filter which sat on the bulkhead!
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