Eratic statring/sparking

**franksand999** · 10-09-2008,11:30 AM

My old golf 1.3 Mk3 manual is very reliable, all for one long running fault - which has got worse since changing the accelerator cable.
The car has sometimes taken several attempts to start, but once its sparks its away, on the occassions where it doesn't spark - its dead, the starter just turns without any action, often I would count to 2 or 4 before turning the ignition key and trying again.
Now its taking 10-20 attempts at turning the ignition switch to start ... since simply changing the accelerator cable .... I'm lost, any ideas ??
Thanks

**gkm24** · 12-09-2008,06:39 PM

Is it worse during colder weather? Does it have a Pierburgh carburettor?

**euroslap** · 16-09-2008,10:55 PM

I would have said it's got to be an air/fuel mix problem. Try a crypton tune, they'll pick up on any problems and adjust accordingly.

**franksand999** · 19-09-2008,10:15 PM

Thanks for the Crypton Tune advice, I suppose the Mk3 was before the Golf had proper engine management then ?

The Carb is a Bosch, its a weird problem ... since last writing I've taken the top off the Carb and tried to check the resistance of the Injector (2.5 ohm @ 20k) and air flow sensor (couldn't get any reading) .. which was advised by the Haynes manual ... and then to check against specs. but not sure where you get those.
Since putting the lid back on its improved very slightly, ie I'm not stuck trying over and over until it strikes and starts, it starts on no more than 5 or 6 attempts.

I notice only two bolts holding the top of the carbi down, so one bolt is missing, but that shouldn't make any difference ?? it should still bolt down nice and tight ??

**euroslap** · 19-09-2008,10:24 PM

Originally Posted by franksand999

Thanks for the Crypton Tune advice, I suppose the Mk3 was before the Golf had proper engine management then ?

The Carb is a Bosch, its a weird problem ... since last writing I've taken the top off the Carb and tried to check the resistance of the Injector (2.5 ohm @ 20k) and air flow sensor (couldn't get any reading) .. which was advised by the Haynes manual ... and then to check against specs. but not sure where you get those.
Since putting the lid back on its improved very slightly, ie I'm not stuck trying over and over until it strikes and starts, it starts on no more than 5 or 6 attempts.

I notice only two bolts holding the top of the carbi down, so one bolt is missing, but that shouldn't make any difference ?? it should still bolt down nice and tight ??

The Gti and VR6 models are fuel injected, but the smaller engine models were still carburettor fed, is your's definately a 1.3 or a 1.4L?
I take it that the bolts that's missing is from the top of the air filter? If so it shouldn't make any difference (ideally it should be there obviously).
As I said though if there's any problems on these simpler engines a crypton tune should highlight them.

**euroslap** · 19-09-2008,10:28 PM

Just reading through properly again, if it's a Bosch unit it's probabaly a mono-jetronic single point injection system (appologies). I'd still definately recommend the tune up.