Intermittent Starting Problems

[Danny Barratt]

Hi

I have an intermittent starting problem. Very occasionally I go to start my 2002 Galaxy TDI Ghia Auto and it just makes a clicking noise and the dash lights all flash. I have then tried remote locking and unlocking the car and have had the battery and charging system tested (all O.K).

It seems if I attach jump leads it will then start. It will then behave itself for days.

Could this be a connection problem on the starter solenoid or is it more likely to be a sticking relay, which I have seen mentioned on the forum. Is the connection of jump leads co-incidence?

If anyone has any ideas please help as this is very frustrating.

Thanks

Danny Barratt

[Masked Marauder]

Are your battery terminals clean and tight? It sounds more like a bad connection than anything.

[Andrew T]

There have been problems on Autos with the shift inhibitor switch in the gear console playing up, but I can't see how attatching jump leads would solve this - has it ever started successfully after this occurence without jumping ? Does the LED in the door flash when it happens ? this would indicate immobilisation (i.e. starter motor disconnected).

[Danny Barratt]

Hi

The battery terminals are clean and greased up and tight. If its left for a whila I can go back to it and it starts first turn as if there was never a problem. Will check the LED staus next time it happens.

Thanks for replies.

[onslow]

I would try moving the gear stick out of park then back in to see if this works?

[El Dingo]

Starter solenoid could be sticky... a clean out might help.

In my experience, if this is the cause, when you take the solenoid apart it will be obviously 'stuck' and difficult to move by hand!

 

Just an idea...

[seatkid]

:lol: Don't be a skinflint.......buy a new battery!

[Danny Barratt]

Had the battery tested twice, not that for defo. Started solenoid, had a look last night, that looks fun to get to!!

Only prb is that it did it twice in the first couple of days of having the car and its now behaving like a dream and hasn't done it again.

Would still like to find what was causing it though just in case it comes back to haunt me.

Will try taking it out of park and back in if it does it again.

Thanks All

 

DannyB :lol:

[Masked Marauder]

Perhaps the battery was a bit flat if it had been stood a while before you got it or the soleniod was sticking from lack of use.

 

If it is not broke now, why try to fix it?

[Danny Barratt]

Problem has happened again.

Went to start it and nothing, just clicking sound, got out the leads and it jump started staight away.

Only moved the car 500 yards and left it parked for the day.

Went to start it that evening and started first click. When it plays up the alarm light in the door is flashing slowly. Tried putting it in and out of park, no effect.

The only way it starts is jump starting but the battery and charging system are o.k.

Anyone experienced earthing problems, could this be an issue? As battery would still test o.k then and also charging system would test o.k

Any other ideas.

Ps. Solenoid looks like a nightmare to get to.

[doubleone5555]

Had the battery tested twice, not that for defo. Started solenoid, had a look last night, that looks fun to get to!!

Only prb is that it did it twice in the first couple of days of having the car and its now behaving like a dream and hasn't done it again.

Would still like to find what was causing it though just in case it comes back to haunt me.

Will try taking it out of park and back in if it does it again.

Thanks All

 

DannyB :lol:

hi i have a 98 1.9 tdi auto and have had the very same problem. i found that moving from park to neutral and moving the vehicle with the obligatory foot out of the door solved it. i think it must be a positioning sensor fault. hope it works for you as well as it does for me when this happens

[Guest jeffie37]

Had the battery tested twice, not that for defo. Started solenoid, had a look last night, that looks fun to get to!!

Only prb is that it did it twice in the first couple of days of having the car and its now behaving like a dream and hasn't done it again.

Would still like to find what was causing it though just in case it comes back to haunt me.

Will try taking it out of park and back in if it does it again.

Thanks All

 

DannyB :)

ive got a manual 1.9TD lx 2000 on a w plate. recently i havent been able to start. turn the engine off then on again after ten minutes then it appears to be ok. changed the starter motor it was sqeeking a lot..then was told that wasnt the problem as problem contnued. Changed some of the power outlet fuses seemed to solve thr problem. Then it restarts again.. car turns over but will not start..?????

the only thing noticeable is that the glowplugs dont show on the dash when this happens..

apparantly this is a common problem. my garage guy says he has seen this before with other models and its electronic [ nice for me }he said it will cost about

[NikpV]

again.. car turns over but will not start..?????

 

 

do you have a spare key? if you do try it when you have problems it may eliminate immobiliser problems - possible and easy to check

 

 

tdi ... petrol pump

 

I assume a typo :)

[Andrew T]

again.. car turns over but will not start..?????

 

 

do you have a spare key? if you do try it when you have problems it may eliminate immobiliser problems - possible and easy to check

 

 

tdi ... petrol pump

 

I assume a typo :)

 

Look at what the red LED in the drivers door is doing when it won't start. If it is flashing rapidly the immobiliser is activated.