MK IV SDi GOLF BATTERY ??

[bigbrian123]

Hi

With absolutely no warning, I got into my 2001 Golf SDi (after being left in an NCP car park for a week) and turned the key. Nothing !!! Didn't even turn over (could hear a small "Click" from Engine bay when Turned over)

The Battery is dead I thought !, However, all the electrics are fine in the car, lights work etc. Tried to jumps start it with Leads from a helpfull NCP man but nothing !!!, SO I jump started it (there was a good hill). Drove home. Turning the car over after this journey worked fine, proving my alternator is charging !!

Next morning nothing again. Still nothing when jump leads used (find this strange!!!!). Thought mabye my starting motor was sticking !!!

Anyway ... does this sound like the battery !!!??? (funny why it won't turn over with jump leads !!! and electrics are all okay in the car !!!).

VW quoted me £102 for a battery (sod that !!!, there are cheaper ones !!!), but has anybody seen this before !!!

Regards,

Brian

[bora(ing) nick]

Sounds like the starter to me...

The jump leads wont make a difference if the batterry is in a good condition. Before rushing out and buying a new one, check the connections of the starter.

You haven't mess about with the battery terminals recently have you?

Nick

[bigbrian123]

No haven't touched the starter or battery connections at all.

Took the battery cover off for the very first time when I put the jump leads on it !!

Nightmare... Can't figure out why it started after I did my journey back home, then next morning it didn't !!!!

Thanks for reply will have a good look at connections etc etc tomorrow

Brian

[chris.fulton]

An old Fiat I used to have had a similar problem. It turned out to be a sticking solenoid in the starter motor, ended up replacing the starter motor and this resolved the problem

[bigbrian123]

Thanks,

Yeah ... looks to be pointing at the starter or solenoid !!! (pain in ****!)

Still can't understand why after it has a journey, it will start no problem. Leave it for a few hours and it's totally dead again !!!

Not doubting you, but may check all my connections and then change the battery anyway (still got the original battery and its a 2001 Golf, so due a change !!!)

Thanks again folks,

Will hopefully have an answer tomorrow !!!

Brian

[bora(ing) nick]

Before you buy a battery, get an auto centre to do a battery test on it. These are free, and could save you the cost of a battery ;)

The reason the starter is playing up is engine temperature IMO....

Good luck

[Sam]

My 2001 Passat recently went through this same sort of thing.

Ran out of petrol, battery went flat while I listened to the radio (don't ask - really bad day), came to start it a bit later on and nothing worked at all.

Got a jump start from a battery box - greatest invention ever - and all was fine until the next morning when it was completely dead again.

A new battery solved the problem - 7 years on the OEM one was impressive enough for me, and the cost of one from Halfords was around 10% cheaper than the anywhere else - diesel batteries are always more expensive though.

I'd still do what Nick suggests and get it tested though ;)

[bigbrian123]

Thanks again for the quick responses....

Will get the battery tested to start with ...

Will keep you informed !

Brian

[bigbrian123]

Well, once again thanks for all your help,

took your advice and had battery checked. Unfortunately it's good !!!

So I gave the starter motor a good ******** with a large spanner and the car started fine after that.

Is this a sticky solenoid or is that the motor itelf ???? Going to check all connections etc etc this afternoon.

I presume that the solenoid can't be changed on it's own and that it is a combined starter and solenoid all in one. (Found a new one on line for £126 if need be )

At least I can get to work for the time being by hitting it before I turn it over !!!!!!

Brian

[chris.fulton]

Sounds like the exact same problem I once had in that a hit with a hammer will free the solenoid temporarily. I believe that the solenoid is part of the starter motor itself and cannot be replaced individually. You should try a VW dealers to see what price they quote you for a new starter motor.

[bora(ing) nick]

Well, once again thanks for all your help,

took your advice and had battery checked. Unfortunately it's good !!!

So I gave the starter motor a good ******** with a large spanner and the car started fine after that.

Is this a sticky solenoid or is that the motor itelf ???? Going to check all connections etc etc this afternoon.

I presume that the solenoid can't be changed on it's own and that it is a combined starter and solenoid all in one. (Found a new one on line for £126 if need be )

At least I can get to work for the time being by hitting it before I turn it over !!!!!!

Brian

Glad your getting somewhere....

I think it's all 1 complete unit. You may be able to take it apart and clean it, but for what it's worth.....

Plus you'll have a 12 month warranty on the new starter.

Good luck!!

Nick

[bigbrian123]

VW wanted stupid money to change starter motor.

So went on line and have ordered one (euro carparts ) for £100, this is about half the price my local VW garage quoted.

So will wait for that to arrive and get my local garage to fit it for me (who don't charge £55 an hour !)

Thanks again for all the help.

Brian

[bigbrian123]

Thanks again to everyone for your help.

Starter motor changed...all good again,

Brian

[bora(ing) nick]

Glad your sorted!