Winter is when you want your VW at its most reliable. Sadly for many it is also when the electrical gremlins start to show up. ‘Why won’t my VW start’ … a phrase muttered by many an enthusiast over the years. Panic not though, here’s a few helpful hints to try and fix your woes!
There are of course are a number of reasons why your beloved Volkswagen might be refusing to start. Going back to basics you will need fuel, ignition and compression for your engine (providing it is petrol powered) to function; but before all of that you’ll be needing to turn the ‘ol girl over to get the pump pushing fuel and the coil producing volts.
Twisted the key and nothing’s happening? Check you’re battery is still charged by flicking the wipers, or turning the radio on. (If your VW fails this test you’ll be needing jump leads or a new battery to get you going).
If you have power to those, your mind might be telling you the starter motor has given up the ghost, but it could just be the wiring between your ignition switch and solonoid that’s had it. The starter motor could well be fine (presuming you haven’t got an immobiliser installed!)
Fact: Starter motors are one of the most returned items in our warehouse with supposed faults.. We test each one, and almost all of them work fine!
To fix the problem we suggest installing our ‘Hard Start Relay‘ kit. You don’t need to be an electronics whizz to get this working, we’ve done all the hard work for you. Basically this takes the load away from the ignition switch, leaving it to trigger a relay which passes the power from the battery to your starter motor. Don’t take our word for it though check out this insightful online review we recieved.
“After experiencing intermittent starter problems this gizmo seems to make the starter motor much more gutsy and responsive to turning the key in the ignition switch. Try it before buying a new starter motor as well as cleaning up the gearbox/chassis earth strap” said VW Heritage customer John Chaplin.
So.. next time your VW fails to turn over, save yourself a few pounds and give this gadget a go before splashing out on a new starter… In fact, you could install one now and skip the heartache later on!
Andy
The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of VW Heritage.
This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)
Hi there, this sounds great, I’m your average guy who knows how to do brakes, remove an engine etc but not great with electrics, does it come with instructions and can I assume til not be a problem to fit my 84 1.9dg petrol Zombie van?
Thanks
Steve
Hi Steven, it is nice and straight forward, and the kit comes with instructions.
Just wondering if you could tell me if this could be a fuel pump relay problem. I have a golf mk1 GTI 1.8 AND MY FUEL PUMP IS GOOD BUT DON;T RUN WHEN I TURN ON THE IGNITION . I have a new pump and tried a new relay, not sure the relay is the right one. If I pull out the relay and push it in the pump will run for a second or so and stop. I pull the relay and push it back in and it does the same thing. Think you might have an answer..
Hi Wendell, our Technical Specialist Benjamin has suggested the coil could be the issue. the Relay is fed by the negative side of the coil (red and black wire from memory) – make sure these terminals are clean, and the wire is not broken etc.
Best of luck, let us know if this fixes it!
I have the same problem, i tryed new relay but my pump still doesnt work…. cabels everything is okay. Any other suggestions please??????
Did you came with a solution? i have the same problem with my GTI 2
Some VW Fuel Injection systems only run the pump for a second or two unless the engine is turning over – try starting it with the new relay fitted. It is a safety system to stop pumping fuel if the engine stops – eg in an accident.
Hi I’m having trouble with where to put the ground wire please
Hey,
does the kit fit a 1986 panel van with a DG engine?
It’s not listed in the part description.
Thanks,
Itamar
Yes, this will fit your 1986 DG panel van too.
Mine is a strange problem. Turn the key nothing ( dash lights come on when they should.) Turn again and nothing, this can happen one time twice or five times or more then on the next turn she goes. Someone has mentioned an exciter wire? Should I hard wire a new one on to the solenoid with a push button switch or do you think your part might solve my problem? 1974 Bay 1.6
My 2006 1.9 T5 is doing the same, battery seems fine, done a drop test and passed. every now and then won’t start, as soon as I put jump leads on though it starts straight away. May start for a few times and then just clicks, any ideas on this please?
I’m having the same issue now
Hi i have VW gold 1.9TDI
My car is turning over but won’t start. Battery has been checked and it’s fine also starter motor and alternator are fine. Any suggestions.
Did you find the issue Asif?
Hi Andy, Just been reading the comments ‘Why my VW won’t start’ I Have a MK4 GTI Turbo that I only have a problem with starting in warm/hot weather. Turn the ignition key and nothing, plenty of power in the battery as all electrical items work without issue. Starts OK in the morning or if air temperatures throughout the day remain on the cool/cold side. If I get a couple of guys at work to push me Back a couple of yards and I drop the clutch it will start.
Many thanks
Jack
Hi, I’ve had my t2 van for many trouble free years! I’ve bought this relay and need to fit It! I’m reasonably practical and can solve problems, but this has me stumped, do I fit it in the engine bay or along side the wiring loom at the front?
Some idiot proof diagrams and instructions would be a great help…
Thanks
Hi Gez, Did you manage to fit the starter relay as I am having the same problem. Gordon.
Hi I am having trouble starting my vwt25camper transporter I turn the key it cranks over then it stops I’ve put carburettor cleaner it helps but then stops ,other than that it’s fine,I’ve tried everything new petrol filter, new pump and push rod,spark plugs ,new petrol pipes still no luck.:::::::: can you help please.John
VW T25 won’t start. . Was told it was the battery so replaced it but still won’t start. No horn no window wipers
Mk1 golf gti 1.8 cabrio 1986 dx engine car will start run for 5 seconds then cuts out.
Replaced
Fuel relay
Ignition switch
Got spark and fuel
Another problem. My mk2 Golf GTI 16V starts fine when the engine’s cold (so I know battery, starter motor etc OK) but when it’s warm it turns about half a turn then seems to jam without starting the engine. Usually does start after 3 or 4 attempts but is getting worse. Also embarrassing; today I stalled it at the lights and it wouldn’t re-start, fortunately only one car behind! I’ve heard of people having similar problems before, anyone out there know the reasons?
In reply to Gez Porters comment, I to had trouble sussing out how to wire up the hard start relay. Its too easy to connect up the wrong wire and cause more problems and the instructions that came with the kit are useless. Could you please publish on your site a more detailed diagram with photos if possible. I have a 1998 v/w t4 tdi swb and cant wait to fit it so please help as I appear not to be the only one thats having problems. Kind regards Gordon.
We have a vw t25 just not starting how do I check the fuel please
I have an issue with my VW jetta MK2 it only spins my starter freely but the solenoid wont kick in unless i hard wire it, i have a full relay system on it but still can figure out my problem
Hi I have a 1988 16v scirocco, the vehicle has a new starter on it I have power to when I turn the key, but the car wont crank over? This is my first VW and I’m not to familiar with the wiring is there any relays or other things that can cause this problem?
relay 457 maybe a bad earth from battery. or a fault with inmobiliser.
my shuttle 2013 1.9 tdi does nothing as I turn the key, like there is no power to starter motor. All panel lights on …and battery is ok. also relay 457 seems ok when tested outside van.
any ideas?
I did not see this kit listed. is there a part #? i’m having issues with my 88 fox and would like to try this out before a new starter.
Can you send me the info on the kit?
Golf mk1 gti starts instantly but won’t run
I have a 1976 VW t2 bay, with intermittent starting problems, new ignition barrel, switch, battery, can start first time for days on end, then turn key and nothing, driving me mad, any suggestions