Car will not 'fire up'

[zebraplec]

For the first time in 8 years my car would not fire up when cold. The starter motor turned but that was all, so I called the AA out and 1Hr later when he tried it, it worked So he did not find out what was wrong.
Today went out, motorway, fast roads, stopped at car park for 10 min, engine hot this time, would not fire up again. Tried a few times, and after say 5min it fired up again.
Any suggestions as to what is wrong please.
New battery fitted 3years ago.
Fully serviced.
Timming belt fitted one month ago, at 61.000

[zebraplec]

Yes, it has me stumped as well.

[Hex69]

Couple of things (well probably more) it could. I'd suggest this course of action.

1. get the battery checked - I know you said it was changed 3 years ago, but it's always best to eliminate the obvious.
2. Get a fault code read - hopefully this will throw up something.

Hope this helps.

[zebraplec]

Hex69 - The battery has been on charge for 36 hrs, I disconnected the charger and it spang into life, so I thought thats it, went for a 25 mile run (in the car), got back home 2hrs ago, just tried it again and it would not start. Starter motor is spinning round merrily. Engine still warm.

Where would I have to take it for a fault code reading? please. Has it got to be VW?

I did notice something, when I went for the 25 mile trip, the climatic control display was all flashing away.

Lastly, one of the last jobs I had done on the car was the timing belt. Is it possible for the timing to have altered/slipped in some way, or would I have notice in the running of the engine, which when going is sweet.

[zebraplec]

Does anyone know of a good indepedant VW garage in the Rochdale Oldham area? please where I can get this problem sorted. Thanks

[Imran]

If its just fault codes you wanna get read, then mes in bradford, you can come down and see if vagcom throws anything up? I know of one half decent garage in oldham, will dig out the number for you.

What year and model is that car.

[zebraplec]

Thanks, its a 1.8 20v Passat saloon, S reg 1998, bit stuck at home at moment, as it will not start. Might have to call out one of them mobile units.

[Imran]

ok, a mate via another forum recommends these guys,

they're called volksmaster
their website is http://www.volksmaster.co.uk/

they're enthusiasts and been around for a long time to know the ins and out of vag cars

give them a ring and they'll sort you out 0161 678 9610

[zebraplec]

thanks, I'll give them a try

[Eddie]

Goin out on a limb here sounds like crankshaft sensor wiring, locate the sensor and trace the wiring bet you its partially melted,if its not the crank check the cam sensor wiring