Mk 1 V6 Galaxy Won't Start

[supersoda45]

Hi,

I am posting this as I am hoping someone out there can help me solve a problem I have with my mark 1 V6 Galaxy (Manual Transmission).

She won't start, when turning the ignition on the starter engages but all that happens is there is a loud clunking / grinding / clicking noise from the engine. :ph34r:

I have taken the starter motor out and benched tested it and it seems fine, the small sprocket shoots out to the 'stop' and spins then returns.

After cleaning the starter motor and putting it back and replacing the batterey with a new Halfords 4 year one the same thing happens.

I have tried to bump start the car by towing with my other car but it still won't start. PLEASE HELP.

[Guest wolfie]

where abouts are the noises eminating from? one end of the engine? gear box end?

[supersoda45]

Hi Wolfie,

I believe they are coming from the gearbox side of the engine, one thing I forgot to add was that sometimes when turning the key nothing happens then next time on turning the key you get the weird noises

[danyoda1]

Check your wiring. could be an earth has become brittle/partially disconnected so it can't carry the current needed hence the flat battery syndromes without the flat battery!

[gazzauk]

Hi,

Does the engine turn over or move... Have you tried to put it in gear and push the car to see if the engine turns over (might want to take the spark plugs out and you will be able to pull it around easy from the front of the car)?.. It sounds like your engine has seized.the grinding sound could be the fact of the starter is turning but your engine isnt

[gn8691]

Might well be worth charging your battery and checking the levels of the battery if its got removeable covers.

[supersoda45]

Hi,

Sorry about the delay in replying I've been snowed under with work at the mo, :D

 

DANYODA1 = I've just checked the wiring and all is ok and the earth connections are sound.

GAZZAUK = I've done as you suggested and the engine is not siezed at it turns when pulling and towing

GN8691 = Definatly not the battery as it is brand new from Halfords and fully charged.

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far but I am still hittting a brick wall any other suggestions,

I have tried to run a vag com diagnostic but the lap top is playing up as well but it did give me some info (codes) before it died and they were -

 

17952 = Throttle potentimeter signal to high,

16505 = Throttle peddle position sensor,

17645 = Fuel injecter No1 cylinder open circuit

 

Could these be causing the problem / preventing it from starting and are they easy to cure??????? :angry:

As soon as the laptop is fixed I'll try again to see if any more gremlins pop up

Many Thanks

[seatkid]

If your fuel injector has a fault I reckon it won't start, the ECU will not allow it.

 

Also just because a starter will spin on the bench doesn't indicate its not faulty. If brushes or commutator are worn, not all windings could be working and so you only have half a working starter!

[supersoda45]

Hi Seatkid,

Thanks for your reply and suggestion regarding the starter motor, I am going to replace the starter motor tomorrow because now when I turn the ignition key to start nothing happens the starter won't turn. What I do get is a clicking noise when turning the key to start from (I don't know what it is called) the unit at the back left hand (Drivers) side of the cylinder head with the throttle spindle/ cable attached to it, this is the only sound I get now, is this normal?? :)

 

I have now got my laptop working again and I have run another vag-com test and the weird thing is the prievious codes have now vanished and now I have got these codes instead -

 

00668 = Supply Voltage Terminal 30 signal to low (I believe this refers to the battery if so how can it be low as its a new battery and fully charged!!)

00515 = Camshaft Posistion Sensor

00533 = Idle air control valve

 

Could these be the problem I hope I find a solution soon as I am scratching my head so much I am going bald. Many thanks :lol:

[supersoda45]

UPDATE TO MY V6 PROBLEM

 

I've fitted a new starter motor and guess what........ the same thing happens, this brings a whole new meaning to 'clunk click everytrip' I get CLUNK CLONK, GRINDING THEN TICKING NOISES.

 

Here's the good news.......

But after towing it around the local roads for a mile using a van it starts well almost :blink:

 

No the Bad news........

It runs very lumpy for a few seconds, has no response to the throttle then goes pop then dies then exhaust smoke or blue smoke comes out of the airbox !!!!!!! :wacko:

 

I think I have a problem somewhere but where anybody have any ideas Please pretty please

[mumof4]

are you tow starting it??

 

Hmm..now...reading this veccy manual..it says not to tow start it as you can flood the engine or summit with fuel..(if i read it right that is)

[seatkid]

Sounds like you need a new engine. :wacko:

[mumof4]

Now this may sound daft, but have you checked the alt?

There is a Haynes for the MKI galaxy..Might be worth getting??

[seatkid]

Nah....sounds like catastrophic failure - possibly the camchain has snapped leading to piston/valve contact. Remove the rocker cover and examine the chain. Edited July 23, 2007 by seatkid

[mumof4]

If the camchain has snapped,leading to piston/valve contact..wouldnt the pistons have carried on going up?..(trying to remember it from my course.)

 

Also...were there any problems PRIOR to the car going Kaput??and what were they??as they may lead to a correct diagnosis?..i mean..like if she was juddering, making weired noises??

 

Or is it a case of sometimes there can be no prior warning to something going wrong??

 

Am just trying to think back..

 

Also..maybe trying to tow start it ..that may have caused further probs??..(just going on what it says in the veccy manual as it cant be that much diff to tow starting a gal?)

 

OR Maybe i should shut up now.

[supersoda45]

No Don't shut up, I never tell people to shut up when they are telling me something which could be important, and you are right tow starting is not really a good idea it was a last grasp desprate effort on my part!!!

 

I took all the plugs out and one of them was destroyed at the electrode end there was nothing left of it, it was obvious something was hitting it. I put new plug in and........ Still and no change it's still like school custard thick and lumpy. :(

 

Being a nice day today I took the head off (what a tedious long winded job on this V6!!!!!!) and my big problem has just got BIGGER B)

 

Seatkid you where right and wrong the chains a perfect, but I do need a new engine, some idiot who had the gal before put one of the plug in to tight and it looks like it has been making contact with the piston has the piston crown now has a hole the size of a 1p piece in it. I might see if I can just change this one piston if not o'well it's lot's of hard work to come over the next few weeks :wacko: