MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

[cam_wmh]

Hi All,

Background:
16 V Engine.
Battery relocated to trunk, by previous owner, to make room for turbo, that he removed before selling.
3 month old distributor, sparkplugs & battery.

Few nights ago, girlfriend left the lights on overnight, and killed the battery.
I can say that I'd likely do the same thing if I were driving it regularly. The "hey you're forgetting to turn off the lights" *ding-ding* that you find on newer cars, isn't on older VW's.

Symptoms:
Tried starting, turns over, once or twice, then dies
So, I bought one of those portable battery re-charger packs. Cheapest one from Wal-Mart. Used that last night, and attempted to start the cabby. It turned over a few more times, then died out, and the pack went dead haha.

So, I pull up my GTi to it, and try boosting it. It was tied to the cabby's battery for almost an hour. I'd try starting the cabby every 5-10 minutes.
It would turn-over quite a few more times. I tested all the accessories, and they all worked great. (Stereo/Lights/Fan Heater etcl).

Of the approximately 30 attempts at starting it, I only lightly feathered the gas pedal about 2 or 3 times, on my last attempts. This was when it was turning over the strongest, and figured I'd give it a tiny bit of gas. I really don't think it's flooded.

Questions:

Battery Pooched?
Starter?
Fuel Pump?

Thanks as always
Cam

[BaggedGLI]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

Hows the fuel filter?

[Triple G]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

If you have it turning over it won't be the starter or battery.

Check to see if you are getting fuel or spark.

[cam_wmh]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

Thanks Graeme & Colin.

Colin, Fuel Filter.. uncertain. Is that along the gas line? near the tank?

Graeme, I think it may be the ground. Instead of tying into the negative terminal on the cabbys battery, I'll ground it to the frame.
Also uncertain if it's getting fuel, which led me to believe fuel pump?

As opposed to checking for wet plugs, will I be able to hear the fuel pump turn on, when I turn the iginition to accessories? (3/4 turn) ?

I'm going to try boosting again.

[Stonewall]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

So I am not the only one driving a cabby in the winter?
Is it cranking fast or slow? if slow it is a battery/starter problem. If fast and not firing it is a spark/fuel problem.

[Kor]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

I drove my Mk1 cabriolet in winter, it was awesome actually.

If you've got a booster cable hooked up, 2nd car running, and it doesn't start immediately, then it's not the battery!

If it won't crank normally then as-said it's either the starter or some electrical problem.

If it cranks and you can hear it but won't fire up... filters and plugs as already said. I had to change the spark plugs twice in the <2 years I drove that car.

Since it's been hot/cold/hot weather, its possible you got some moisture in the tank or lines? New fuel filter plus keep trying?

[kryptonkal]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

Replace your fuel pump relay.

[Stonewall]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

My cabby has been awesome in the winter, front and rear sway bars make a huge difference. I will have the van back soon though so I can stop beating on that car :(

[newfie_veedub]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

try the relay for sure. i have a bunch if you want one to try. try for spark first as its easy. pull a plug and leave the wire connected then ground it off the head or block. turn it over and look for spark.

[cam_wmh]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

So I am not the only one driving a cabby in the winter?
Is it cranking fast or slow? if slow it is a battery/starter problem. If fast and not firing it is a spark/fuel problem.

Thanks for that trouble-shooting tip Brent. I managed to get it started, by grounding to the frame, instead of the battery. (only difference, other than 5-10 degrees warmer out?)

I drove my Mk1 cabriolet in winter, it was awesome actually.

If you've got a booster cable hooked up, 2nd car running, and it doesn't start immediately, then it's not the battery!

If it won't crank normally then as-said it's either the starter or some electrical problem.

If it cranks and you can hear it but won't fire up... filters and plugs as already said. I had to change the spark plugs twice in the <2 years I drove that car.

Since it's been hot/cold/hot weather, its possible you got some moisture in the tank or lines? New fuel filter plus keep trying?

Makes sense thanks Kor. I think I'll get the fuel filter changed.

Replace your fuel pump relay.

KK, I'm goign to run with suggestion this too. Thank you.

My cabby has been awesome in the winter, front and rear sway bars make a huge difference. I will have the van back soon though so I can stop beating on that car :(

haha I hear ya Brent. Feels like a go-cart. Girlfriend only needs it a couple times a week unfortunately, so it ends up sitting.

try the relay for sure. i have a bunch if you want one to try. try for spark first as its easy. pull a plug and leave the wire connected then ground it off the head or block. turn it over and look for spark.

Newf really appreciate the offer, if it's a job I can't do easily, I'm going to leave it to George. (such as this).

Follow-up; I got the car started (via boosting from my car with the ground to the cabbys frame), and drove it for a about an hour. (bunch of errands, left it on). It's now sitting cozy, being charged.

Let's see how it is in the morning.

Question: Are fuel-pump relays, more temperamental (like most things), in colder weather? I've done a lil bit of reading, and apparently they are victims to VW electrical gremlins (improper grounds lol).

-cam

[newfie_veedub]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

they tend to have a mind of their own when they want to quit. make sure there is no water coming in above the fuse panel as its a common place they rust. also if you feel the need to replace the fuel pump relay you can use an aftermarket relay to avoid the fuel cut off. at about 5000 rpm the fuel does not raise in pressure, a pain in the ass if you run a 16v.

[Kor]

Re: MK1 Cabriolet Help! Won't start. Battery? Starter? Fuel Pump?

I miss my Cabriolet :(