Sharan Wont Start

[maz]

I have been asked for help via email, can anyone here help?

 

 

I have a VW Sharan 1.9 TDI 1997

Begining of last year I took car to work but didnt start when I finished. Called a friend & he came & had a look & said it was because the oil was low, he put some in left it a while but still wouldnt start. He said to try tow starting it as this would help the oil get round the engine, it started fine with it being towed. Next day started in morn, took it to work again wouldnt start when I finished. Got my sis down & It jump started 1st time. Now as I couldnt rely on the car & weather was warming up I started using my convertible escort so was left for a few months.

When weather was getting colder I took battery off Sharan to charge, put it back on & after about 20 turns it fired up. I moved car up the drive & the electric windows opened by themselves, central locking not working & when I tried turning off the car the key came out but engine was still running, weird! Managed to stop it & it started again ok.

After researching on internet found out Sharans have common faults of the vent near front window getting blocked, water gets in & goes under passenger seat where the electrics r 4 windows, central locking & alarm. And this was the case, soaked up the water & dried it with hairdryer & heater & the electrics seemed fine again.

The next day the car wont start again, turning over several times but nothin. Took battery off again & charged, but turns over but wont start, tried jump starting but just wont fire up.

The car is a little low on diesel would this make a diffence?

Water & oil is fine

When I turn key the oil light flashes several times, is this suppose to?

And the temperature light comes on as well but car is cold, is this suppose to happen?

Not sure the problem not starting before was because of low oil.

 

Im really desperate for help, im a female but know a little about cars & love to learn more. I dont wanna pay out for someone to come out & have a look as this will be expensive. I would really love to fix it myself not only cos its cheaper but I enjoy it, but losing my patients at mo.

 

Any help would be very much appreicated

Thanks

[cyborg]

I have been asked for help via email, can anyone here help?

 

 

I have a VW Sharan 1.9 TDI 1997

Begining of last year I took car to work but didnt start when I finished. Called a friend & he came & had a look & said it was because the oil was low

Thanks

 

Oil sounds like a red herring. sounds like a starter relay is doing last waltz.

[edatelder]

You should not tow start a diesel car. When you say "temperature light" - is that a red over temp alarm light near the temp gauge or a yellow light that looks like a coil (which should go out after 2 - 10 seconds). Lowish level of fuel should not be a problem, but empty - will be.

[chrispb123456]

You should not tow start a diesel car. When you say "temperature light" - is that a red over temp alarm light near the temp gauge or a yellow light that looks like a coil (which should go out after 2 - 10 seconds). Lowish level of fuel should not be a problem, but empty - will be.

Would be interested to know your reasons why you shouldn't tow start or bump start a diesel car, It may be the only option.

And low fuel level can be a problem if car is facing downhill on a steep gradient, will also cause a flame out on booster heater if in process of startup

[seatkid]

Sounds like you simply need a new battery.

[zorgman]

do you get a buzz from dash when trying to start car, when u crank it have a look at rev counter as tdis like to crank approx 250rpm to fire, also check your glowplugs for supply and see if they work.

check under passenger seat see if its wet and have a check for a black box as that controls the windows if it has 3 plugs its also the alarm unit which could stop it starting

[maz]

had another email..

 

Its the red light above the temperature gauge, basically saying the engine is over hot, but as its cold & hasnt been started for days seemed a bit strange. The coil light is working fine. It did stop starting before the diesel got low, its just that after keep trying to start it the fuel has got low & last time I started it I wasnt confident enough to go and fill it up, as didnt want it not to start at petrol garage. Ive brought a test light off ebay so when that comes I can test the glow plugs, already tested the relay and that was fine. Did buy a cable and ran a fault code test through laptop, came up with loads of stuff, but was told to clear it as all the problems are stored over the years, then ran it again and nothing came up, wasnt sure everything would be tested though as car hasnt been started. Someone did mention the glow plugs as they dont show up in test, so thats the next thing im trying to rule out! Gonna get a couple of cans of diesel as well today to put in.

[marinabrid]

i wouldnt worry about glow plugs, these engines usually start without them unless its very very cold, i would certainly put a few gallons of fuel in, also the red light saying its over hot, this could be the sensor it feeds the gauge but also tells the ecu weather to put on glow plugs and other things, could be the problem its worth swopping for a few quid.

have you drained the fuel filter from underneathe to drain the water out ?

[seatkid]

The Red light comes on when you turn the ignition for a few seconds or until the car starts - its a simple lamp check and so is a red herring.

 

Why dont you just get a new battery??

 

Its starts when you tow start it and it starts when you jump start off another battery.

 

Isnt that clue(s) enough? :)

 

Dont get sidetracked by the electric windows etc, they are a different issue and probably due to the old broken wires in the rubber gaitor to the door problem (see faq)

 

And yes, you can tow start a diesel. The only one you cant and shouldnt tow start is an automatic gearbox variant.

Edited January 20, 2011 by seatkid