Newbie in need of help

Hello all

I've been signed up for some time, but been a bit hesitant to ask a question as I'm a total newbie. 

Anyways I'm on it now, I've had my Mk1 Golf 1.8 Gti Cabriolet for a few years. It's been sitting for some time however I recently got a new set of Sparkplugs, Leads and a Battery and its fire right up with a little jump from my other car. 

I made a point of turning her over once a day once it was running,  it started 1st time every time.  Then I decided  to jet wash the underneath of the car focusing mainly on the engine area, aiming to clear way some of the gunk and dirt. I turned her over and let it run for a little while. No problems, 

I then ended up leaving the car for 4 days or so,  as it was my little boys birthday - when I came back to turn the car over - Nothing. So I have attempted to jump with my other car again - still nothing.

Not sure what else to do - any ideas of what I may have knocked, got wet or not done 

Welcome!
I'd guess electrical as you have applied water to the engine bay.
Start with the basics, do you have a spark?

Hey Ihasadreams,

I'm troubleshooting as much of the electrics as I can today. 

I don't seem to be getting any kind of spark, I can hear a rolling noise. But totally dead aside from that. 

If no spark, check coil and also ensure distributor cap is not damp and full of water.......check ignition control unit is not damp....disconnect, check connectors for dirt / rust and reconnect.

another hard call to many it might it
maybe you really need to be able to
rule out the the problem  logically
stand back think about the problem
then sort it one at a time spark fuel
is a good start before it starts banging
your head

Place a Dark tarp over the engine bay.
Place the car in Neutral P-brake fully on.
Get a Helper.
Get under the Tarp and took at the engine bay.
Now have the helper start the car and stare at the engine.  If you see Sparking Fairies Dancing about then that is your issue use Sandy type paper and lightly sand the areas that are sparking….

Once you have eliminated all of then then try to start the car.

Other thing to test is the Hall Sender in the dizzy and check if you are getting power to the sender....as I understand this component sends a signal to the ignition module to send a spark from the coil to the dizzy.

Yep.
I would start by checking you have  sparks at the spark plugs…

Remove number one spark plug, plug it back on to its HT lead and lay it on a metal part of the engine, then crank while watching for a spark.

I have tried to swap my fuel pump relay for the one below but turned upside down, as somebody suggested. I heard the fuel pump prime and a gushing sound as if the fuel was travelling.

However the car dissent start, I wondered if the fuel pump relay should be replaced and if this itself would stop the car from starting and getting g any kind of spark. 

I've checked for spark, by taking the 1st plug out and testing against the engine - nothing.

I have trouble shot a few of the electrics which many of you have suggested. Everything seems to be working ok, on the component I have tested so far - so I'm settle on the relay for now. 

Any suggestions??

You should get a spark when cranking the engine……I don't think the sparking issue is related to the fuel pump relay…..have you tested the coil and ensured the connections are ok?

If coil is ok, then I would test the hall sender (in distributor) and the TCI unit…..the brown Haynes manual explains how to test these components.

Agreed.

If you don't have a spark it will not run.

You can hear the pump working so it's likely not a fuel issue

where abouts in yorkshire are you ? maybe someone has the time to spend helping you get spluttering start.  you know the new kid on the block" sambos vag conversions" he's doing  fair bit of work in the darfield/barnsley area.  He may have some parts laying around you can swap in.

I'm in LEEDS, any help from folk who are local to me would definitely be welcome. 

I've managed to get the ignition coil out, give it a good clean & test. I got a reading of 0.01, however my Haynes manual says that the reading should be 1.7 to 2.1 - 

I automatically assumed that this was my problem and ordered Ignition coil straight away. 

The new one came a light speed, so I popped it in - still no spark. So I did the same test  with my multimeter on the new ignition coil and I got a reading or 0.03 - which of course isn't a massive difference.

 So I'm now wondering if I've tested them wrong, or if the ignition coil isn't the problem at all.

Will be testing the Hall Sender & TCI next - I guess I should of done them first to be sure - however I'm stuck on the ignition coil readings for now and wondered if anyone can shed some light? 

You could try my brother in law…. at SULTAS AUTO SPECIALISTS LTD
1 Bodley Terrace,
Leeds,
LS4 2BE
01132797992
Ask for indy  I know has done some older cars beforen