Hi All, hoping you could help.

Problem: Car not starting at all

Background: Ok, so got the car back from service, new fuel pump was fitted.
After driving 40km , the tank showed just above the red line, then the car just jerked a few times and came to a stop, so added R50 fuel to see if that was the problem and it started up.

Then filled up another R100 straight after that.

Next day I drove another 10km, and the same thing happens again. So filled up another R50 rands fuel and this time is does not start at all, and the battery seemed to die slowly, and over the last long weekend its completely dead.

Anyways, got the battery charger, connected it up. Tried to start it and nothing. There is a buzzing noise only that can be heard.


Any idea what could be the problem.Would like to find a way to figure it out, otherwise I have to have the car towed back to my mechanic.

Thanks in advance.

There are 3 things you need to Check:

1. Spark
2. Timing
3. Fuel

if those 3 are there the car should at least start.

My 16v never liked being boosted... started when i swapped batteries out... not related to what you experienced, but what i noticed.

Not enough data but sounds like your battery died.

Please stop filling R50, thats like under 4 litres of fuel.

Thanks guys.

Yip, will fill it full.

Other info I can recall:

Battery movement, this could be a cause? The bracket needs to be sorted out by mechanic.
Fuel Pump is new (Perhaps this could be faulty)
When the battery charger was connected, there was power (Lights worked, electric windows worked etc), the display however was black, not even the clocked showed.
Car was washed with a high pressure hose before the seconf incident, I wonder if water could have entered and perhaps through the front grille and perhaps caused a problem.
Could it also be something to do with the fuses? (Dumb question)

Driving the car: Once the car was on the road, it was fine, no jerking, good power, it was just closer to home this started happening.

Thanks again

Sadly not enough detail . Honestly you need to do a couple of test ie. can you check if there is fuel pressure, is there spark etc.

Ok cool, as soon as I get home I will check it out. First Im going to fill it up anyways, and try check the above mentioned points. Will try provide more detailed info after that.

Are you still running K-jet or aftermarket?

Jetta and golf 2 had two fuel pumps.One main pump under car and one in tank have you checked the one in the tank that has not come lose or that is functioning correct?
Check that the ecu has not got water entry or damage/oil in the hall sender.
[from info supplyed all i can come up with]

Check the battery voltage, Sounds like the battery is on its way out.

Thanks guys. Never had a chance to post.

Its still the 9A K-Jet motor.

Anyways, filled up more petrol, so thats not the problem.

Timing seems fine.

The battery seems to be the problem, can't even get the thing to charge properly. Going to get a new battery and see if this resolves the problem.

Trying to get a voltmeter to test the voltage as well.

Also noticed that the battery is not secure enough, its way too loose.
Still need to check the fuel pump in the tank.

Also noticed when you turn the ignition key, there is no cranking noise at all, its just that buzzing sound.

Will try cover all the point mentioned above.

Thanks.

Did you try starting direct from starter, just to eliminate the ignition switch from the equation

Ok big thanks to Metzu on the forum for coming to help me out.

The following was noted.
The battery was completely dead. Used the battery from my Mk1 to see if a different battery would make a difference. Immediately the car could now atleast crank.

Also lots more fuel was added (LRP Fuel).

Still could not get the car to start.

The distributor was checked, the timing was fine. Also tested for spark, and that was also fine. The ecu connector was also checked, and there was some moisture present, this was cleaned up as well.

Anyways, thats as far as we got. Also noted was that there is not the same buzzing noise that the Mk1 makes with regards to the fuel pump.

Can't seem to find the cause of the problem, but after these checks, the next step I guess is to see if it has some fuel line problem.

Hope this gives more detail. Thanks all.

If the battery is flat, fuel pressure will always be low. This cars refuse to start when the battery is low.

Try this with your ignition on .... refer to the sketch
1. Remove the fuel pump inlet bolt on the fuel distributor, fuel should push out before you finish unscrewing the bolt.
then you know the fuel pump is supplying enough fuel. Reset the bolt & continue


2. Remove atleast one injector from the insert, hold it in the position to see how it sprays by pushing that flap on pic2.
then you can tell if the fuel makes it to the injectors & how they spray fuel.

did you check for fuel?
pull no.1 injector out, swing motor and check if it sprays, should spray a decent amount of fuel and not drip out when cranking, I suspect that one of your two pumps stopped working

Brilliant, thanks guys.

Will definately check all the above mentioned points out during the week.

The diagram helps alot.

Just an update guys.

It was the fuel pump connection that was the problem.

Cars running now and im enjoying it. Just need to set the idle properly.

Thanks for the help.