Mk1 starting issues.

[Dubstein]

Currently away from the car right now but thought it might be worth while asking now about my problem with my newly aquirred Mk1.

Bought the car 2 weeks ago before i left for holiday but couldnt seem to get her to turn over(will not crank either) Im suspecting the problem to lie within the ignition side of the wiring but who knows. Firstly id like to say that i can short out the starter motor and get it running (driveable) and suprisingly it runs awesome after i got the mixture and timing correct.

The dash lights and all that jazz comes on when the key is switched to on. And slightly dim when trying to crank. Have check and replaced battery/fuses and voltages on wires but nothing. Would it be possible for the key to be a suspect? I remember my 4dr key barrel stopped working at one point but light didnt work on that car either.

Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post

Heres a picture of the new beast

anyone know why the pictures are small and terrible quality? I use to be able to post them right D:

[sports racer]

If the lights are dimming when you turn the key all the way on then it sounds like it's trying to get the starter working but something between the switch and the starter isn't right. When you bypass the switch to start the car are you doing it by shorting out the relay on the starter with something metal or are you connecting a wire from the battery to the starter relay?

If you're not using a wire try it that way. This will tell you if the starter relay has a problem or the switch.

Let us know how you go.

Cheers

Paul

[Dubstein]

I am shorting it out with a wire directly from the battery to the starter motor solenoid. I haven't looked at a relay yet, but i do remember hearing some sort of clicking. Sorry if this sounds a little silly but you wouldn't happen to know what relay the starter is on the fuse box and is it normal for them to fail?

I've heard the ignition switch can fail also, but if that happened the lights shouldn't work right? THANKS!

[sports racer]

The starter solenoid is the relay, just different names. It should have a terminal with a normal (thin) wire that goes to the ignition switch. Is this the connection you are connecting direct to the battery?

If it is, try running a wire from the solenoid to the power terminal on the ignition barrel that is only active when the key is fully turned. If this doesn't work they you aren't getting enough current to the ignition switch.

If your ignition switch works for everything except the starter motor then the easiest fix is to fit a push on switch just for the starter motor solenoid. Mount the switch under the seat or hidden under the gearstick surround so it makes it harder to steal your car and make sure it's fused.

[Dubstein]

Alright dude cheers for that. Will sort something out when i get back home. My plan was originaly to fit a push start if i couldnt find out the problem. Cheers!

[Peter Jones]

Ignition switches aren't very expensive. I've replaced quite a few due to this issue.

Ignition Switch VW Golf MK1 MK2 Caddy Polo T25 111905865L | eBay

GermanAutoParts.com : Volkswagen Rabbit EngineElectrical

[Dubstein]

Hey again, im back in Australia and getting back in to the Golf. I have a quick question about the fusebox. Now i worked on my '78 golf using this diagram but i didnt have the red 'B' plug and i do on this '76 model. I dont have any info no what it does, care to help?

All it does is run into the engine back to some sort of plug on top of the strut tower and also splits into an earth to the battery. Pictures should explain . THANKS!






Dat rust hole


EDIT: Just spent the past hour going through all the pins and most of them are correct but im a little confused about H3. The 2 red wires (1 thick and 1 small) go into the box i mentioned. Also G5 is a white/yellow wire going to nothing (close to the firewall) but nothing mentioned in the diagrams i have.

So...... I chucked on a battery today and abusively cranked the key.. to my surprise using force worked and the car booted up. I will definitely be buying a key/barrel/ign switch set .

[eltonking]

did you try smacking the starter solenoid with a hammer? sometimes they get stuck and wont let it turn over the starter

[eltonking]

its usually the simple things is all, and its also happened to me before.
instead of rushing into things i looked at my haynes manual, said to whack it with a hammer and it worked a charm...

...but the starter was on the way out. i replaced it asap as i kept having to hit to everytime i wanted to start the car.
it was embarrassing in public places.

[Dubstein]

Hahaha yeah tried smacking it, but still pretty sure my barrel and ignition switch needs replacing.