Weird startup issue? Please help
Weird startup issue? Please help
Author
Discussion

Sn0wtek

Original Poster:

2 posts

77 months

Sunday 27th October 2019
quotequote all
Hi,
So I've always had problems with this car (VW golf tdi 2008) ever since I bought it and as much as I'd like to replace it, I haven't got the money to do so yet.
This morning I went to my car, went to turn it on and on the first turn of my key, the dash lights didn't come to life like they usually do. Then when I went to turn the car on, it would crank but at the point where it would start up, it acted like it was about to but then just shut down.

The windows, wipers, radio, external lights, etc are all working still and when I tried to jump the car with a neighbours, instead of dying, it just continued to crank. The battery was replaced around this time last year as well.

I've checked the fuses in the engine bay but they all seem fine.

I'm at a complete loss at the moment. I know absolutely nothing about cars and with it being a sunday, nothing is open right now.

Any help would be amazing..

annodomini2

6,962 posts

274 months

Sunday 27th October 2019
quotequote all
Fault code read out, could be one of a number of things

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

307 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
If it acted differently when jumped from another car, that suggests battery voltage may be an issue. But if you have not had it catch and try to run yet, it could easily be some other failure in which case it'll need to be diagnosed and fixed. Are you willing and able to do any diagnosis yourself? To start with, you could confirm that it has fuel.

Sn0wtek

Original Poster:

2 posts

77 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
If it acted differently when jumped from another car, that suggests battery voltage may be an issue. But if you have not had it catch and try to run yet, it could easily be some other failure in which case it'll need to be diagnosed and fixed. Are you willing and able to do any diagnosis yourself? To start with, you could confirm that it has fuel.

Unfortunately I don’t have a code reader.
Well I checked the battery voltage and it was reading at 12.5 volts although I didn’t check it whilst starting up. I am willing to try and diagnose myself, I have a an aircraft mechanic background but unfortunately don’t have a clue about cars which might be a problem. :/ The car definitely has fuel though, I last drove it two days ago and had at least a quarter left in the tank and there’s no smell of fuel or any residue left around / on the floor.

cuprabob

18,160 posts

237 months

Monday 28th October 2019
quotequote all
It could be glow plugs or engine coolant temp (ECT) sensor. Engine Speed / crank sensor is another possibility.

As said previously, getting access to a code reader could save a lot of time.

Edited by cuprabob on Monday 28th October 12:43