New to the forum/Electrical problems
Posted
#1161876
(In Topic #138954)
Newbie
New to the forum/Electrical problems
I just had a starting problem on my '81 1.6 GTI Cabby.
When I'm turning the key to start she's starting but cuts out instantly once I let go of the key. Any obvious reasons why this is happening?
Another problem I've had is a bit of a battery drain. Brand new battery is dead when left hooked up over night. I've tested it using a multimeter and removing each fuse one by one and checking if that solves it but nothing. Perhaps a dodgey earth?
Thanks for your time, I'm a bit of a novice at this! Haha!
Posted
MOTY 2013
check for power at the coil with the ignition on, lookfor a loose or damaged wire that is purple/white thats your coil live feed. its a resistor wire so you wont see 12v with the ign on, im not sure what voltage you should see but as long as you have some voltage then you should be ok 6v seems to pop into my head but i could be talkign rubbish
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Posted
Settled In
Is your battery getting any charge when the cars running? You are probably right to suspect a bad earth as this is very common. Are your earth leads green and tatty?
89 Clipper Cab 20v (97% done!)
97 Peugeot Expert (daily, £510 off of ebay!)
06 Audi A3 (Wifes daily)
97 Peugeot Expert (daily, £510 off of ebay!)
06 Audi A3 (Wifes daily)
Posted
Newbie
I just worked on the car for a good two hours once I got in from work and managed to get her to start again thanks to Jeevesraf's method. She seems to be alright now?
I then moved on to the battery drain issue again and checked all the earths and noticed that the earth cluster (not sure if this is the correct term?) above the fusebox was super rusty and some of the spade connectors were corroded/rusty too.
Could this be root of the problem? And what's the best way to clean these up?
Thanks so much for your help!
Posted
MOTY 2013
with your starting problem maybe look at the AAV if it has one, make sure its nice and clean. also look over the engine for split hoses and air leaks, especially in all the folds of the inlet manifold boots.
could be the 5th inj isnt firing too, look for a spade on the starter motor with a black wire remove and clean it all up nice sto ensre its making good contact. follow wiring from 5th inj looking for damage and check the 5th inj thermoswitch in the front coolant flange for damaged wires as well while you're there
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
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Posted
Newbie
Took her for a spin to help the battery charge a bit and left the battery hooked up over night. Went out this morning and there was hardly anything left in the battery. Poop.
I've read in a few searches that it could also be a relay problem? Or perhaps one of the circuits that don't use a relay? Headlights?
I'll look into the starting problem once I've found the source of the drain, thanks for all the pointers though, I'll add them to my to-do list!
I should note that the starting problem only developed after I ran the test on my fuses and relays with the multimeter…
Posted
MOTY 2013
one thing, does the battery light come on with the ignition then go out when running?
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
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Posted
Newbie
Yeah, the battery light comes on with the ignition and eventually goes out when it's running.
Posted
MOTY 2013
only thign is you'll have to make up a length of battery cable from the earth to the chassis leg as mk3 ring terminal wont reach. all i did was get 2 mk3 earths and cut the battery terminal end off at the ring and use that to bridge the gap between the chassis leg and mk3 ring using a nut &bolt to secure the 2 rings together.
harder to explain than it is to actually do the job!
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
VAG Documents & Downloads
You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
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Posted
Newbie
I'll check the battery light this evening and let you know how long it takes to go out.
As a quick fix (just to keep me going) do you think it would be a good idea to fit a cut off switch on the negative terminal? Just so when I'm leaving it somewhere for a few hours I can cut out the drain? :dontknow:
Posted
MOTY 2013
just had a thought, the mk1 alternator might have a pair of spades on it? if so you'll have to keep the mk1 starter->alternator wire for the time being and just use the -ve and battery + to starter wires off the mk3.
I would still get the mk3 alternator->starter wire though, you can use it to fit a later mk1 and mk2 alternator which would be easier to find if your alternator turns out to be bust!
you just need to put a ring terminal on the mk3 blue wire for the alternator end, and run a wire from the other end to the blue spade on the mk1. when you take the mk3 alternator wire grab the plug off the car loom with a good length of blue wire, you'll see what I mean anyway!
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
VAG Documents & Downloads
You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
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Posted
Newbie
Thanks for the wiring advice! I'll be sure to keep it in mind when I'm next down the scrappy!
Posted
Old Timer
Posted
Newbie
Pearcestu; I couldn't find any difference in any of the currents. Each were drawing 0.02 amps. I've been told this is fine?
But the earth strap and other earth wire that connects to the neg. terminal on the battery are both drawing 3.42 amps. Is this normal?
Posted
Old Timer
I would say that you should be looking at a total draw of about 0.05 it can vary depending on the kit in the car.
You are best to leave the car for a while when you have switched off and make sure you have switched the interior lights to off so that you can avoid any confusion with open doors etc.
Nothing should be draining 3amps when the car is off. Did you use a normal multimetre or one of those clip things that goes around wires?
Posted
MOTY 2013
Hello my name is John and I'm a dub addict.
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
VAG Documents & Downloads
You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
My wiring diagrams and other documents have moved here:
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You'll need to sign into google/gmail for the link to work! (its free!)
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