Mk4 Golf Starting Problems

**dilligat** · 19-05-2010,06:53 PM

Hello
I apologise in advance but this will be a bit long.

We have a 1999 1.4S 3 door mk4 golf with key turn entry and no remote blipper system.
Recently it has begun to play up intermittently.

Problem 1
When locking the car you sometimes need to hold the key to the left or turn it a second time to the left to get the red flashing led to flash.

Problem 2
Worse still and apparently unconnected to the above sometimes the car won’t start.
We unlock the car turn the ignition key and the warning lights come on as usual then continue turning the key to the start stage and the car does nothing. The usual warning lights stay on but there’s no starter motor whirr nor any clicking just quiet.
Sometimes it fixes itself after a few minutes or by illogical things like locking and unlocking the car, opening the windows, swearing a lot etc.

We have done a fair bit of searching on the web and found people with starting problems but they seem different. Some state that the starter spins but the car doesn’t fire up. It’s suggested that it’s the immobiliser but others say that the immobiliser doesn’t stop the starter motor spinning.
One forum said it was that the ignition switch was faulty but they’d had problems with the switch in the past and we haven’t. Some said it’s the immobiliser coil on the ignition switch that’s collapsing and others that the wiring might be breaking down.

Does anyone have experience of this particular fault?
Does the immobiliser still allow the starter to spin or is it likely to be the ignition switch and immobiliser sensor?

We’ve tried the other key to no avail.

Patience wearing thin PLEASE HELP!!!

Thanks in anticipation

**kenney** · 19-05-2010,07:04 PM

the engine will start only to stop again after a couple of seconds,when the immo is faulty,your symptoms are typical of a faulty ignition switch

**dilligat** · 20-05-2010,09:33 AM

Originally Posted by kenney

the engine will start only to stop again after a couple of seconds,when the immo is faulty,your symptoms are typical of a faulty ignition switch

Thanks for your reply
I'm starting to guess that as well.
Are there any tell tale signs, there doesn't appear to be any play in the ignition key hole, I will try a bit of key wiggling when it plays up next time to see if that makes any difference

**kenney** · 20-05-2010,10:55 AM

The electrical part of the ignition switch is a seperate part to the key barrel

**dilligat** · 20-05-2010,12:37 PM

Originally Posted by kenney

The electrical part of the ignition switch is a seperate part to the key barrel

Thanks
I can get a replacement for £10 plus vat. Is it much of a job to fit?

Do I need lots of specialist tools or will the normal hammer and kitchen knife do?

**kenney** · 20-05-2010,01:12 PM

You need to remove the airbag and steering wheel and the steering column switch to access the ignition switch,send your e-mail address and i will send you the diagram

**dilligat** · 20-05-2010,01:20 PM

Originally Posted by kenney

You need to remove the airbag and steering wheel and the steering column switch to access the ignition switch,send your e-mail address and i will send you the diagram

Thanks very much for this. I've tried to PM you but I am not worthy. can you email me at jonmelkay@yahoo.co.uk it's an old address I rarely use so no worries if others pick up on it.

I'll let you know how I get on

**belfastmark** · 20-05-2010,03:54 PM

Hi
I had a similar problem, though it was on my mk3 1.4.
When you turned the key you got the lights coming on, then turned her again and she would make a clicking noise, ignored that and it got to the stage were when you turned the key for the ignition, nothing happened.
It turned out to be a fault with the starter motor. Had just broke down around the corner from an autospark, so i took it around to see him and he replaced the solinoid. After that, no problem. Cost £50.
The reason i post this is because you asked had anyone had a similar problem with starting.
Hope this helps.

BelfastMark

**dilligat** · 20-05-2010,04:15 PM

Originally Posted by belfastmark

Hi
I had a similar problem, though it was on my mk3 1.4.
When you turned the key you got the lights coming on, then turned her again and she would make a clicking noise, ignored that and it got to the stage were when you turned the key for the ignition, nothing happened.
It turned out to be a fault with the starter motor. Had just broke down around the corner from an autospark, so i took it around to see him and he replaced the solinoid. After that, no problem. Cost £50.
The reason i post this is because you asked had anyone had a similar problem with starting.
Hope this helps.

BelfastMark

Cheers but I know it's not the starter motor or solenoid. When it does fire up it spins up lovely.
When the fault is in place nothing happens when you turn the key to the start stage which suggests it's a clean break in the circuit either due to a faulty component or immobiliser type disconnection.
I'm going to change the ignition switch and see what happens then.

**dilligat** · 25-05-2010,06:27 PM

A MASSIVE THANKS TO KENNEY
20 minute job once I got the spline key for the steering wheel bolt.
The yellow airbag light is on but I understand it should reset itself otherwise I know a man with a computer.

The idiot guide Kenney kindly sent me was superb and even I managed it!!!

Thanks again, lets hope that's that problem fixed