MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => How to Guides / Troubleshooting => Topic started by: Deago on April 13, 2013, 12:50:43 am

Title: Gti won't start
Post by: Deago on April 13, 2013, 12:50:43 am

So today I get in my gti drive to my girlfriends. All is well. I'm at her house for no more than 20 minutes before leaving again. Turn the ignition, abs light, along with the warning light for brake fluid, and the yellow steering light all come on. Check the fluid levels as suggested, all is fine (only just had the brakes done and a full service anyway)

Get back in the car, all lights stay off this time. I assume its a funny 5 minutes and carry on about our day. We go to various places and each time I get back in the car all is as it should be.

This evening after dropping the her home I'm at her house for maybe an hour, go to leave and the car won't start, only this time the steering warning light is red briefly, then disappears. Ignition comes on fine as do all lights etc. but if I try to start it I don't get a peep, it's silent. Not even the ticking of it trying to start.

So will have to see if I can get it recovered in the morning, if not at the start of the week.

Just seemed like a random array of things to happen. Electrical fault somewhere?

All help appreciated. I'm sure ill find out within a few seconds of them plugging the car in at the garage, but trying to gauge how much it could cost before I get there.

Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: phoenix on April 13, 2013, 01:02:52 am

Battery.

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: Deago on April 13, 2013, 01:40:52 am

Wouldn't even jump start

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: james on April 13, 2013, 04:20:02 am

the battery could be dead dead,  so would not work of jumps.

Check all your earth straps.

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: edd666999 on April 13, 2013, 07:10:45 am

Mine wouldnt jump the other day, had to trickle charge over night to get it to start.

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: Deago on April 13, 2013, 10:56:10 am

Could it completely die just like that then over that time frame?

Quote from: james on April 13, 2013, 04:20:02 am

the battery could be dead dead,  so would not work of jumps.

Check all your earth straps.

Surely if it was dead dead, nothing electrical would work on the car?

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: phoenix on April 13, 2013, 10:58:28 am

How do I get paid, when its definitely the battery that's the problem, lol?

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: Deago on April 13, 2013, 02:46:47 pm

they should stop paying you then, as a new battery was put in it and still no joy and had to have it towed :congrats:

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: phoenix on April 13, 2013, 04:48:37 pm

Must've been a bad battery, try another.



















Seriously though, sorry to hear that... shame you don't have VCDS, anyone in your area check:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=jcovudlvo06gsiirfgq0fg71k7&topic=120.0

Could be:
Starter motor?
Immobilizer?
Water ingress into the wiring loom? :surprised:

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: Deago on April 13, 2013, 05:00:22 pm

It looks to be leaning towards the starter motor. Though i'd be surprised if its a coincidence that the warning lights have been giving a song and dance. Its getting hooked up to VCDS monday so I'm sure all will be revealed.

Thanks for the help  :happy2:

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: Eddie-NL on April 13, 2013, 05:18:03 pm

you can rule out the immobiliser

engine would start, then die

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: doylebros on April 13, 2013, 10:01:30 pm

Check the fuse box in the engine bay - corrosion on the bus bar is a common problem!

Title: Re: Gti won't start
Post by: andygo on April 15, 2013, 08:33:43 pm

Quote from: edd666999 on April 13, 2013, 07:10:45 am

Mine wouldnt jump the other day, had to trickle charge her over night to get her to start.

My missus is the same...