Why won't my car start?

[Mr Celine]

Did the engine management light come on when it conked out? Does the engine management light stay on when you turn the ignition on?

 

[midlife]

Sorry to be a pessimist but the last 2 cars that died on me were snapped cambelts... Scrapped them both!

Shaun

 

[numbnuts]

It won't go cos it's broken you need to see the man from the AA

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks everyone. Yes, it's petrol. I think it is electronic ignition - I seem to remember someone saying that the GL was basically pretty much like an under-tweaked GTi. I think I'll go out tomorrow and spray some WD-40 around and perhaps remove a spark plug or two, assuming I can find my plug spanner (haven't used it in years).

I don't remember any lights coming on when it conked out, and I think I would've noticed it.

I probably should have mentioned, but a couple of times recently I've found it a bit reluctant to start. Lots of starter motor (I put a new battery in just before Christmas), but it just wouldn't catch. But it did eventually. Until this time.

 

[Levo-Lon]

You need to check its got a spark at the plug and fuel to the cylinders..

old more basic cdi ignition..check rotor arm..no points but rotor burns and the little carbon brush inside the distributor wears out..id look there first..
im afraid its a case of working through the ignition or fuel system depending on spark situation ..but at least its diy on that for most things..

 

[Mr Celine]

Damp ignition leads would be more likely to cause a misfire than to make the engine conk out. Do you have access to a fault code reader?

 

[Jody]

There could be so much that's gone wrong but if your taking a plug out have a look and make sure the plug is dry. When it's out rest it against the rocker cover and turn the car over. You should be able to see it spark. If it sparks then it's something effecting fueling (fuel pump, maf, fuel pressure regulator, split in the intake pipe). If there is no spark or the spark is weak then it's going to be plugs, dizzy cap n rotor arm or the ignition coil. It's difficult to diagnose online but start with the spark and see where you go from there.

 

[Gert Lush]

Sorry to be a pessimist but the last 2 cars that died on me were snapped cambelts... Scrapped them both!

Shaun

That's what happened to me when my car died on me

 

[biggs682]

With no idea how old the car is its hard to pin point fault ,

Just be careful as newer cars HT leads and associated parts have a lot more voltage going through them than older style cars with points

 

[screenman]

It won't go cos it's broken you need to see the man from the AA

It is the car not a drink problem.

It will I bet need to be plugged into a machine unfortunately, sometimes things are not as expensive as they could be on older cars.

 

[Profpointy]

Damp ignition leads would be more likely to cause a misfire than to make the engine conk out. Do you have access to a fault code reader?

agree - damp can stop cars from starting in the first place, but won't stop 'em re-starting when warm - as any damp will have dried off.

Modern cars like OPs will be electronic ignition and (almost certainly) fuel injection too - so it's harder to diagnose fuel issues seperately from ignition - as both are controlled by the magic box.

That said, removing a spark plug to see if there's a spark is useful, and it may be possible to remove a petrol pipe to see if petrol is coming through. High pressure petrol to the injectors can sponaneously catch light si take care with testing

 

[mr messy]

Can you hear fuel pump priming when ignition turned on? Check fuses. Ign module would be a good shout if not trying to start at all. Can't remember if golfs had a fuel cutout or not

 

[swee'pea99]

agree - damp can stop cars from starting in the first place, but won't stop 'em re-starting when warm - as any damp will have dried off.

Hmmm. That's disappointing! I'd been rather pinning my hopes on drying things out in the morning. Sounds increasingly likely to be a tow to the garage. Oh well, I guess that's the price you pay for having an ancient car. I don't have access to a fault code reader - don't even know what one is - but I guess it's the kind of thing they'll have at the garage.

 

[pawl]

Just died on me as I approached a junction, and wouldn't start up again. Plenty of petrol, plenty of juice in the battery, but just r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r.....r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r......r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-....

I got it dragged back to the street outside, but unless I can get it running again it's going to need towing to the garage, which will cost me loads. Any hints & tips appreciated.

(It's a 20 year old Golf GL estate, BTW, in case that matters.)

See Basil Fawlty,thrash it with a branch.

 

[swee'pea99]

Can you hear fuel pump priming when ignition turned on? Check fuses. Ign module would be a good shout if not trying to start at all. Can't remember if golfs had a fuel cutout or not

Don't know what a fuel pump priming would sound like! Fuses sound interesting, but I can't help feeling that they either blow or don't, and as I say, I've been having starting problems a few times recently. I would've thought if it was a blown fuse it wouldn't have started again after the first problem incident.

Thanks all. Much to think about, a couple of things to try.