OT more Mk3 Golf problems
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Ok i have gone to start the car and i get zip. the car was running fine, i had dropped the missus off at work then did not use it again until 3pm to get the kids from the institute.

the car basically clicks not the solonoid but the relay behind the dash goes crackers !!

the lights on the dash dim when turning the key for the starter to
turn over, this drains so much current that all the clocks in the dash reset themselves (ie the clock resets to 00:00)

i have a fault code on the dash IN 02 which has been there since i got the car.

any ideas ?

i have checked fuses

i have checked battery (12.6 volts) i even tried jump leads but get same response.

no apparent loose wires, there is a damaged earth strap from the boddy to the bonnet but this will have no effect on the engine which is earthed ok.


cheers in advance lads

i did post up on the VAG forum but no responses


Richie

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MikeRace, Mini13

Copied from another forum

in02 on the dash means your service is due

to clear it



1. Ignition ON

2. Press and hold button to the right of temp gauge

3. Switch OFF ign, the word OEL can be seen.

4. Press the digital or anologe clock minute buton, until five ----- appear

5. Press the button again and zero the other inspection items,

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

As for the non starting problem. I can remember my cousin having problem on his mk3 vr6 with the starter relay behind the dash failing with dry joints.

But the lights going dim sounds more like a goosed starter/solonoid to me.

Edited by John on 22nd Jan, 2009.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

can you not push/bump/tow/roll down a hill start it?

Edited by Mini_Andy on 22nd Jan, 2009.

Flat battery?

In the 13's at last!.. Just

well sat for ages with the mothers car jump leads setup and she finally started, left my car running for 45 minutes unhooked the battery from the jump leads went to start it straight away and zilch. what also irritates me is we sat for ages yesterday with jump leads and we could not get it to turn over at all........ the flapping relay IMHO is lack of voltage accross it, i thought 12.6 would be enough to start it but obviously not, so is the battery shagged or is it the alternator or both. with mini's i would know straight away normally with duff alternators the battery warning light pops on.....nothing apparent on the golf will need to borrow a meter to check, i take it with the alternator spinning it should be circa 14v ? and why would it come on all of a sudden.

also noticed that the car splutters when throttling which would suggest a poor spark too.

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MikeRace, Mini13

IN02 is simply the service light

as for the starting - what is the battery kicking out without the car running - could be the cold weather has killed it

12.6 at the road side everything off

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MikeRace, Mini13

battery could still read 12v but be down on a cell.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

need to check when running for the alt, but sounds like the batt to me

cheers guys.....this thread is yet another example of why TM is better than any other forum on the net. i still have had no replies from the alleged enthusiasts on the VAG forum how shite is that !

yet here we have breifly discussed the problem and hopefully found the solution !

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MikeRace, Mini13

Its current you need to start a car, not voltage (although that also helps) my bets are on the battery, but if the batterys new, could be the alternator not charging it! take it to a local battery place and get it tested!

"Cars are a lifetime of pain"

Totally, you need to do two tests - first a meter on the battery to see the voltage drop when you (try to) crank, if it drops below 10.5v, then the battery is not so good. If it is good, then you need to put the meter between the positive lead on the battery (note, lead, not terminal) and the other one grounded to the engine block. If this voltage drops away, then you have a bad earth (or maybe a bad (+) battery cable).


Start with these basics first.

yeah battery was on the car when i got it, alternator looks really clean so i wonder if that has been changed at some point.

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MikeRace, Mini13

take the battery off and fully charge it. then if you have a drop tester test it with that. should hold it on there for around 10 seconds and it should stayin the green. if it drops out into the red your battery is shagged.

if you dont have a drop tester take it to a local garage and ask them if they can test it.

if it holds up then put it back on charge and you have a fault either on an earth, or in the starter itself.

personally from the symptoms and the recent cold weather i would put money on the fact that its your battery.

Just got back from the motor factors and a suprise to me too, the battery is spot on, fully charged and he held the tester on for ages and it didnt budge at all

CRAP !!! i was kinda hoping it was the battery so this must be an earth or summit, but i have checked all the earth straps and they are rock solid.
when i hook up (jump leads) i had positive to positve then negative on the jump car onto my block. and she cranks over no probs starts first click, a bit spluttery though so as per previous seems like shitty spark or overfuelling. the splutter is only very minor

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MikeRace, Mini13

right.

take one of your jump leads and go from your block to your body.

if it goes then find your engine to chassis earth and remove it, clean it up and replace it.

sounds like thats the problem if it goes when you earth to the block off the other car,

Edited by James_H on 22nd Jan, 2009.

fucking weird ! tried what you said James and it worked straight away ! I thought great must be a strap so i took the jump lead off and tried it out of curiosity.....the damned thing started up ! i wonder if the removal of the battery has perhaps erset the ecu or something ? i dunno the car is a friggin enigma !

right James your good luck how do i fix my sunroof ? it will open but when i go to make it close the electric relay in the headlining clicks and the roof does not close

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MikeRace, Mini13

can you pop the switch out?

if you can test the opening wire for what voltage its putting out, and then do the same for the closing circuit. it could just be a build up of shit on the closing side of the switch causing high resistance.

i had this on a leccy window at work recently. pulled the switch apart (be carefull and do it into a white bowl or something, peices WILL com out!!) cleaned it up and all was good..

if the voltage is the same find out where the relay is and test that aswell.

then its down to the motor :(

Edited by James_H on 22nd Jan, 2009.

dude you live too far away from me to know this shit, i command you to move up north and freeze.

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MikeRace, Mini13

haha! its cold enough down here thanks!!