MK2 starting issues

[LamDar]

Hi all,

very new to the forum and glad i finally joined

i have an issue with my mk2 91 auto that comes after driving the car for more then 15 minutes, i try starting it again and it doesn't start or even crank.

hopefully someone can help or put me in the right direction to who can help me out because i have very very limited knowledge with cars in general but iv wanted the car for years and now that i have one its turning me off and making me want to sell it.

help me change my mind. please.

[LamDar]

Golf gti btw*

[RedMk2Gti]

First welcome to the forum.
I'd sorry, you made a wrong decision to buy an old Golf if you are very very limited knowledge with cars in general. It could be a simple problem (starter, ignition switch etc etc) but since you are very very limited knowledge you may get confuse where to look.
Tell us where you are, we can recommend you a few VW specialist. However Mk2 Golf is a simple car, your local mechanic may be able to find your problem quickly.

[LamDar]

Hey, thanks for replying to my post.
I'm in Sydney, arncliffe near the airport.
I'm just scared if I drive to say müller in lakemba, I won't be able to start my car up again and wait for a few hours for it to start again.

[sports racer]

If it's not cranking then that's a separate problem to it not starting and should be an easy problem to fix.

Start by checking the switch on the gear selector. It's the one that will only let you start the car when it's in Park on Neutral.

Try putting the gear selector into Neutral when it won't turnover and see if this fixes the problem. You could also try rocking the selector back and forth a few times to help clean the contacts in the switch. It's not a permanent fix but at least it gets the car started (sometimes).

Cheers

Paul

[LamDar]

I'll check it out first thing after I finish work and if that's happeneds to be the solution you've made me change my mind about selling my car!
Cheers Paul!

[hhk225]

I had the exact problem when I first bought mine and drove it home as well. A toilet break on highway it doesn't even crank. I got stuck for about 2 hours. I got away with it with a friendly bloke hammered either the ignition coil or the starter while I turned the key in the car.

In automatic, they put the starter right below the exhaust, it may get very hot and not functioning. But before that try to check ground and battery maybe?

[LamDar]

thats what iv been told about the starter motor freezing up cause it gets to hot for the magnets to connect or something but if i can locate the starter ill do the same
thanks!

[sports racer]

a friendly bloke hammered either the ignition coil or the starter

Don't hammer the coil, there's no moving parts so no point. Hitting the starter motor is a tried and true method of fixing sticking motors.

I had to do the same thing to my 1948 Wolseley 680 back in the 70's.

[LamDar]

nice ill try that out when im stranded haha, but to fully avoid this problem would it just be the starter that needs replacing?
thanks for your replies btw means alot!