Ive got a weird starting problem with my Golf MK2 1300. The problem is this, after doing a short journey/ short stop (1-2 miles 10min -1hour ) the engine wont start at first but usually does so after several tries and a wait. Ive had to call the AA once , he said that it was the ignition and cleaned the distributor, the problem however is still there!! It only happens as described, I drive to work every day, leave the car all day with never a problem.
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Sounds more like a over-rich mixture problem than ignition. Possibly the auto-choke is not cancelling / coming back on too soon. Check the electrical supply to the choke thermal unit, and also the coolant flow through it if it is dual-heated. Also check the choke pull-down unit and it's vacuum supply. If you are not keen to get involved to this extent try to find a tuning / daignostics expert in your area, either by rceommendation or through Yellow Pages under "Car Engine Tuning & Conversion" or "Engine Tuning".
Regards, Adam
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Thanks for your reply Adam. I had suspected the auto choke myself, but the AA man did a test and told me that the problem was ignition, he did the test on a plug lead. A very short stop is OK too (paper shop for example) this also seems to rule out the auto choke?
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This sounds to me like a flooding problem of some sort. Next time it happens, take the top off the air filter housing and see if there is a strong smell of petrol. Also have a look down inside the carburettor and see if it is wet with petrol. I can't think of anything else that fits the symptoms, other than a carburettor fault causing fuel to leak into the intake when the engine is switched off. Leave it long enough (like all day), the petrol evaporates - no starting problem. How does it behave if you switch it off for a few minutes after a long run - easy restart, or not?
Richard Hall
bangernomics.tripod.com
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Ok, if there is definitely a loss of spark at the time it doesn't start the most likely causes are a loss of signal from the distributor pulse generator (either a magnetic pick-up type or Hall Switch type), or an amplifier module fault. This assumes the supply voltage is Ok to the coil, and the coil itself (very reliable) is OK.
First, one needs to carry out some tests WHILE IT IS DEAD. This may be difficult if it comes back to life quite quickly. Personally I would first test for a distributor output using an oscilloscope - if present the module is suspect, if not present it is the distributor. Magnetic pick-up and Hall Switch repair kits used to be available from Bosch, but if not you may be looking a replacing the distributor. You can have the module tested off the vehicle, but by the sound of it, by the time you got it dismounted and away to be tested it would probably work pwerfectly normally again anyway !
Regards, Adam
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Thanks for your posts Adam and Richard. I think we can assume that the AA man was right when he said that there was no spark when he tested it. I think that he also tested the lead from the coil so that would indicate that the problem is with the distributor. I think I is probably best to replace the pulse generator anyway. But I will wait a bit as I have given the electrics a good clean up last weekend.
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Hi guys, It has happened again, first time since 17th March, and this time for the first time at home. So I have had a chance to look at the carb,ETC. no sign of flooding. Also since the 17th March it has cut out twice while running. So now I am pointing my finger at the pulse generator. My question is this, can I buy the bits or do I have to replace the distributor? and how mutch? I dont want a unpleasant surprise !!
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To find out if a Hall Switch repair kit is available you need to contact a Bosch agent and quote the distributor number, which will be 0273 ... ...
HTH, Adam
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I've got a mk2 1.3 and have the same problem as you. The car would cut out and not restart for a long time (until it had cooled). I fitted a new distributor cap and rotor arm a couple of weeks ago, this cured the problem until yesterday when the same problem occured, but now it will restart after 10 minutes or so. It is still difficult to when hot and does take a few goes. Like your car there is no spark when it does not start. Have you figured out whats wrong? I am thinking of changing the distributor.
Sarb
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