VW Won't Start

Hi new to this forum, Having problems with my VW Golf Mk1  GTI 1981.  Horn would'nt work so dropped  fuse box to see what the problem was. Now car will not start Had problem in the past with water leaking into fuse box from windscreen this has now been fixed, but it seems moving the fuse box has caused everything to fail ie wipers indicators and engine will not work no feed to the coil any advise gratefully received

You have probably knocked the wiring plugs off the rear of the fuze box , remove it again and check .

Thanks for your reply checked and double checked all fixed ok still not working

When you say not starting is  the engine turning over and just not firirng up or are you getting nothing when you put the ignition on ie no battery/oil/coolant temp warning lights on dash flashing ??

Engine is turning over I can smell petrol but appears to be no spark thanks

Got 12V at the coil +?

Got a spark at the king lead?

Hall sender plugged in?

Can you hear the fuel pump whirring?

Battery fully charged or a bit flat?


Immobiliser?

Thanks will have a look in the morning will check all that you have listed. I have been told it was the green wire but I don't know what this does do you have any idea?

Grahamcr said

Thanks will have a look in the morning will check all that you have listed. I have been told it was the green wire but I don't know what this does do you have any idea?

What was the green wire?

Green wire from the coil??

The only thing that has been disturbed is the fuse box nothing else

Grahamcr said

Green wire from the coil??

Green wire on the coil is connected to terminal 1 (aka -ve) and will 'pulse' between 12V and 0V when the car is working properly and the engine turns over.

You want the other one, terminal 15, aka +ve, +, which has a couple of black wires connecting to it.

Sorry I am getting confused can you clarify do these wires go the fuse box? (don't mean to be thick) also  what does AKA mean( I am getting on a bit)

can you say why there is no electricity to the coil

Ignoring the king lead, there's 4 wires which connect to the coil - 2 on the - terminal and 2 on the + terminal. One of each goes to the fuse box, and the others go to the TCI.

Its 100 times easier to check for electricity at the coil, than somewhere inside a multi plug connector on the back of the fusebox. Also, the coil's where you need the electricity, so it makes sense to check it there.

This is all based on your saying there's no spark.

AKA = also known as.

Thanks Paul understand now will start on it early in the morning. Will let you know how I get on. I have had a bad day as freinds were pushing car into garage they ran over my foot.  So when the pain goes I will be working on the car.

Don't measure the voltage on the green wire or you'll end up with fried meters or fried you. (lookup back-EMF)

If what you say is true and it is 'green wire' related check the fuses, they may have become dislodged or even have gone faulty.

Also check your earths, anything electrical check the earths 1st.  

Looks like the fuse box is faulty with the ignition switched on nothing on the + side of coil, I connected a wire from the + battery to coil and the engine starts but still no wipers, horns, hazards, but lights work OK.    :?

Probably a loose plug or connection at the back of the fusebox, or a broken wire there.