Golf mk3 TDI won't start!

[Biggss2]

Hi all,

I'm having problems with my old trusty 97 mk3 golf cl tdi

It's the first time it's let me down in around 2.5yrs!

The problems I'm having is, the car all of a sudden won't start, everytime the key goes in turned to the ignition the clocks reset themselves and the car won't even turn over/attempt to start trip and clock reset everytime, keys out and the clock and mileage dissapear?! This isn't normal either?!

Anyone experienced similar/same within the vag group?!

Initially I thought starter motor, but the fact that the clocks reset everytime I think the problem lies elsewhere?!

Changed battery-no difference

Any ideas/thoughts/suggestions would be most appreciated and welcome

[driftin jo]

I would say your starter is shorting the battery out hence the clocks resetting

[Biggss2]

Hmm you could be right drifting.. I was thinking ignition switch? Maybe, I've tried vag comming it but it won't pick up the lead with the key in the ignition/dash lights on?!

It is quite peculiar

[re2500]

My immediate thoughts were ignition switch also, there was a quirky way of testing the ignition switch in VW's using the heater and light switches, will have to dig it out.
Shorting starter sounds plausable!!

[5cylinderman]

Have a look where the wiring harness is attached onto the top of the started solenoid. It's held on with a plastic bracket from the factory but can get replaced with a cable tie. It sounds like you have a direct short.

[Biggss2]

Hmm thanks all, 5cylman I will have a look at the starter in the morning, I hope it's a minor problem, this car has been rock solid until recently!

Re2500- if Its not too much trouble that would be much appreciated!

Thanks again guys, much appreciated

[Monkeymagic]

Golfs have a problem with the earth strap from the box to chassis/battery going high resistance. The starters do not run through a relay so when cable gets hot the resistance increases and the voltage to the starter is next to nothing. I'm pretty sure they addressed this with MK3's eg much thicker earth strap. However cleaning the earths may well help. I've never seen a dodgy ignition switch cause the syptoms you describe. It's worth a try and it's free.

[Monkeymagic]

Just had a little look at this. It seems that the clock has a permanent 12v feed which is switched over when cranking to avoid the drop in volts resetting the clocks.
In short it would appear to be the ignition switch. I've done loads on mk2's and rado's. A good test is to remove cowling and hold the rear of the starter switch still. When you turn key the extra support should help the contacts connect and allow it to start. Also holding the key in the crank position and wiggling it sometimes does the trick.
This is based on the new battery being good. SHould hold above 12volts.

[ManiacuV6]

You can try something like this : take out the red/black(50) wire from starter . Put the key in star position and see if the clock is dissapearing from dash. If the answer is yes you need a new ignition switch.
OR you can thake out the red/black wire and put the key in ignition position ( car on neutral and handbrake applied). Take a minimum 2.5mm2 wire and give a + on starter to start engine. IF you can start the engine you need a new ignition switch. They are prone to fail.

[Biggss2]

Hi all thanks for your kind help! We did the following today

Pulled away cowling disconnected the ign loom and put a piece of wire between contacts/ign lights come on/won't start

Shorted the starter it sparks and whirrs, tried starting it whilst doing this- nothing

Checked earth to starter/gearbox- earths fine

Checked plug to starter it gets no power, not even whilst cranking(even though the car doesn't crank) or whilst ign lights are on

Kind of lost with it now

Part of me wants to replace the starter motor and hope for the best.. The only thing throwing me off Is the clocks resetting. Back to what drifting Jo says this could well be the starter shorting?!

I've had three or four of these golfs and a polo I've had to change starters and the infamous relay 109 on on so I know it's a common occurrence for them to pack up, never have I had the clocks reset upon cranking though! (apart from the time it was -10 I was running late for work and I didn't wait for glow plug light to go off)

The only thing Is I do remember last summer I used to get a puff of smoke from under the cowling that used to come out above the hazard light, can't see anything burnt tho?!

Thanks again for your help guys, comments/suggestions as always welcome and appreciated!

[ManiacuV6]

Checked plug to starter it gets no power, not even whilst cranking(even though the car doesn't crank) or whilst ign lights are on

If you don't receive +12V and big Amps on that wire while you keep the key on start position you have problems with your ignition switch.

[Biggss2]

Hmmm,

Yep definitely no power going to the starter plug whilst cranking!

Ignition switch.. Think you might have nailed it! That might explain the smoke I used to see every now and again.. From that area!

With regards to the switch, would it be a straight swap, as far as I know there's no key coding etc?

Thanks

[dubmeister]

Starter switches are common!! can be a bit of a pain to remove but cost peanuts.worth doing anyway as they can give bizarre faults when breaking down.
HTH

[newsh]

Nothing to do with the key part AFAIK, the switch unit is mounted on the back of the ignition lock.

[Biggss2]

Hi All,

Been trawling the net, and it looks like these things can be difficult to remove!

Im thinking, if a breakers got the actual ignition barrel unit, with a key this might be an easier fix/check if it is the switch at fault?!