not turning over - now starting but dying immediately

**hornetcarp** · 08-05-2009,07:11 AM

i've been having problems the last week 50% of the time it wont even try and turn over, no clicking or noises from starter motor, absolutely nothing but battery ok.

now it changed to firing up straight away but dying immediately.

are these likely to be 2 symptoms of the same problem or 2 different problems.

if the same problem why has it changed from no starting whosoever to starting but dying!!

any thoughts much appreciated

**BobProperty** · 08-05-2009,08:18 AM

Assuming everything else on the ignition side is OK, my thought is ignition switch. They are known to "wear out" and give this sort of problem on Golfs (and I think Polos? cos it's the same part). The start and then die immediately sounds like the immobiliser transponder which, IIRC sits on top of the ignition switch but I can't remember if the power for it comes off the ignition switch. See what other opinions you get before you go pulling the steering column apart to replace it because it's not the easiest job.

**kenney** · 08-05-2009,08:42 AM

Do you have an after market alarm fitted

**hornetcarp** · 09-05-2009,10:58 PM

Originally Posted by kenney

Do you have an after market alarm fitted

no alarm but have an aftermarket immobiliser (autowatch 239ti)

back to the original non-start at lunchtime initially but then fired up no problem after a few attempts...

**kenney** · 10-05-2009,10:02 AM

I don't know the wiring diagram for the 239ti,but if it is connected to the starter then it would be my first suspect. I don't understand why you need two immobilizers,though.

**BobProperty** · 10-05-2009,10:27 AM

Originally Posted by kenney

I don't know the wiring diagram for the 239ti,but if it is connected to the starter then it would be my first suspect. I don't understand why you need two immobilizers,though.

Did the earliest Mk3s have immobilisers as standard? The OP hasn't actually said what car he has IIRC. Otherwise I agree with you though

According to the OPs other posts it's a 97 AGG 8v GTi, so that should have an immobiliser as standard surely?

**hornetcarp** · 10-05-2009,10:51 AM

Originally Posted by BobProperty

Did the earliest Mk3s have immobilisers as standard? The OP hasn't actually said what car he has IIRC. Otherwise I agree with you though

According to the OPs other posts it's a 97 AGG 8v GTi, so that should have an immobiliser as standard surely?

every insurance company i've used (and i've used a lot) require a thatcham category 2 immobiliser on a golf gti.

so that's why it has 2 immobilisers

**BobProperty** · 10-05-2009,11:15 AM

Originally Posted by hornetcarp

every insurance company i've used (and i've used a lot) require a thatcham category 2 immobiliser on a golf gti.

so that's why it has 2 immobilisers

AHA! Bit of an oversight by someone at VW maybe? Mk4s are OK, Mk3s aren't?
http://www.thatcham.org/security/pdf...gerCarCAT2.pdf

Back to the problem. How long has it been installed? Any chance the installer could re-check it?

**hornetcarp** · 10-05-2009,11:55 AM

Originally Posted by BobProperty

AHA! Bit of an oversight by someone at VW maybe? Mk4s are OK, Mk3s aren't?
http://www.thatcham.org/security/pdf...gerCarCAT2.pdf

Back to the problem. How long has it been installed? Any chance the installer could re-check it?

it was fitted when i purchased the car in june 2001!!!

starting problems must be the most common problem on mk3 golfs, searching any forums uncovers so many people with similar problems.

sods law dictates that there seems to 101 different things that can be the cause....why is life so difficult!!!

**kenney** · 10-05-2009,03:20 PM

I think the immo was standard from1995. Any of the aftermarket immobilizers i have worked with have been connected to the starter or the fuel pump.From your description of the problem I think for some reason you have 2 issues.One, the starter circut,and 2 the original immobilizer,