Golf 3 98

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Siya G
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Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Hello everybody,

I'm having a horrible week with my golf. It first started off not starting every now and then but on Saturday it turned and turned until the battery went flat.

I charged the battery and it started first time, I had to recharge the battery on Sunday to drive again. On Monday it was the same thing, but then started jerking and not driving smoothly. On my way home on Tuesday I stopped on a hill and switched off the engine, tried to start it but never work. I tried to run start it but it never worked.

Since then, I've changed the coil pack and lead cables, what else can I do if diagnose why it won't start?

It turns but nothing.

Any help would be much appreciated.
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Rascal69
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Rascal69 »

have you checked/tested the battery and alternator?
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Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Rascal69 wrote: Fri May 25, 2018 10:31 am have you checked/tested the battery and alternator?
No I haven't, I took the starter apart and it looks pretty tired. I know I shouldn't just keep buying new stuff, hoping to stumble on the solution.

I will have the battery tested and alternator.
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panic-mechanic
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by panic-mechanic »

do you have spark and do you have fuel?.
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dubz-on-drugz
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by dubz-on-drugz »

Check distributor

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Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

So, I managed to get it started. First figured out the ECM relay is not working, it won't start with the key, however, we started it by bridging the starter motor.

It run for a good 5 minutes and then stalled.

The stater motor wire has continuity but doesn't send 12v when switched on at the key switch, apart from a new battery and ecm relay, I don't know what else to do or get.

I checked the fuel line and replaced the fuel filter and there is spark.

I've bought a new coil, lead cables and a starter.

Your thoughts are much appreciated.
Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Have had the car diagnosed and came up with the ECU being the problem.
Supervan II
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Supervan II »

Siya G wrote: Tue May 29, 2018 8:58 am Have had the car diagnosed and came up with the ECU being the problem.
I reckon you should rather have your ignition switch replaced first - if it doesn't solve your existing problem, it sure as hell will save you a lot of trouble in the future as it WILL give up eventually.

BTW, this was the only problem I had on my 99' Jetta CLX in the 9 years of ownership.
Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

I had the ECU tested and the guy said there was nothing wrong.

I tested the starter motor relay and it is getting 12v, we tested the wire that leaves the fuse box housing and it hasn't got 12v.

We (Ballie and I) think it's the fuse box. The guy who tested the ECU said he thinks it's the distributor (we don't think so because the car switched on when the starter was bridged), he said I should bring it to him and he will put his own testing parts on, get it started and then work backwards.

Pretty stumped on what to do next
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Jetta2 »

As Supervan said..... ignition switch. Had a similar issue on a buddy's Mk3 Jetta and he sold it 6 years after we replaced the ignition switch and it was still perfect.
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Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Hmm will search for one and see.

Thanks guys
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Even though the ignition switch is sending 12v to the relay?
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by VAG Fan »

The engine started to jerk while driving, and you had to recharge the battery at one stage, and when you got it started, it stalled after 5 min.
These factors make me think that besides the ignition switch, the charging circuit may not be working properly. I agree with Rascal, you should check it out. If you get the engine running, there should be about 14V across the terminals of the battery. If you switch on the lights, cabin ventilation and window defroster, it should still be at least 13.5V on a fast idle.

Regarding the ignition switch, remember that
... it must not only send 12V to the starter solenoid, but also to the ECU (both during starting and normal running).
... if the switch has a bad contact, you may measure 12V on the open circuit, but this doesn't mean that there is sufficient voltage under actual operating conditions. That solenoid draws at least 10A, possibly 15-20A.
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Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Hey guys, thank you very much.

I will check the ignition switch, battery needs to be replaced too.
Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

I managed to get it started via the starter motor. We realised that it was over fueling and that's why it wouldnt start, unpluged the petrol pump and it started and ran. I read that the petrol can mix with the oil due to over fueling, so I have drained and changed the oil.

Any ideas on what to check to see what could be causing it to over fuel?
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by panic-mechanic »

Change the relay numbered 35 on the fuse box. Often they die and cause all kinds of issues. It's the relay for the ECU.
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Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Okay, I changed the ECM relay. Are they different?
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by panic-mechanic »

same thing.
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Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Thanks Panic. I did replace it last week, could it be the MAP sensor? We were able to get the car running without the petrol pump, map sensor, let it run for a while then put the pump back and then sensor, idled very rough though and only been able to do that once.
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by panic-mechanic »

I could be 100's of things. Guessing is never the right way. You need to fault find via vcds and looking at individual measuring blocks for correctness.
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

Would a diagnostic determine any Vcd codes?
Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

I had a diagnostic done, i never saw the code/s that came up but the guy said it was the ECU or ECU wiring.

I tested the ECU and it was fine
Siya G
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Re: Golf 3 98

Post by Siya G »

I changed the water pump sensor and it runs fine.

Taking it to do the switch.
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