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Car won't start, stupid friggin thing



Be sure to check your fuel pump relay.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Benjamin Harder" <vwtype53@yahoo.com>
To: "Cathy Boyko" <losinit@usa.net>; <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 04, 2002 10:12 AM
Subject: Re: Car won't start, stupid friggin thing


>
> <clip>
> > It had been stubborn starting for a while, it seemed to fire and run
well
> > after repeated cycles of the fuel pump, as if the lines had drained back
> > (check valve?) Which I told the dealer, but the message never got to the
> > mechanic for whatever reason. They did put in a new ingition switch,
which it
> > did need. The car has a security system (Clifford ignition disable), not
sure
> > if they needed to do anything special on the switch install to
accomodate
> > this.
>
> A new ignition switch would not affect the wiring for the alarm system.
>
> > Other complicating factors? The tranny has been in and out, if there are
any
> > wires/sensors in this area that could be the culprits.
>
> Nope, nothing that would prevent starting the car.
>
> > Now on to what it does. It turns but will not fire, as if it is not
getting
> > fuel. The plugs do spark, when I phoned the mechanic he suggested maybe
it
> > wasn't firing in the "start" positon , but it appears to be firing. How
> > bright
> > should the spark be, it is visible, but nothing like the ones I make in
my
> > science class...
> > I could smell gas when the plug came out though.
>
> When you pulled the plugs, was this after trying repeatedly to start the
> car?  If so, were the plugs wet (soaked in fuel) or were they dry looking?
> As for the spark, it should be noticeable in dim lighting, but won't be
> a bright spark really.
>
> So you checked and verified that each plug sparks during cranking?
>
> If so, then you must have some sort of fuel problem...
>
> One idea that isn't too difficult to do is to test the fuel injectors
> by raising the air flow plate in the fuel distributor...
> Remove the air boot from the fuel distibutor end, while leaving in
> place all other connections...this will simply allow you to reach down
> and lift up the air flow plate about an inch.  One you figure out how
> to lift the plate, use a rag or something to carefully wedge in there
> to keep the plate from falling back down... now have someone turn the
> key to the ON position (not actually start).  You will hear the injectors
> spray for about a second or two... now turn off the ignition and replace
> that air boot over the distributor and try to start the car... the
> car *should* fire up quite easily, but if there is a fuel system problem
> it may not continue to run.  If you still don't get any sign of life from
> the engine, well, then something else is definitely wrong...
>
> Cathy, you can do it!  I wish you luck too, and hope to hear your next
> post being a positive one!   ;)
>
> So, anyone else have another suggestion... and anyone ever tried this
> idea before lifting the air flow plate?  It's worked for me at least...
>
>
> =====
> Benjamin Harder
> 86 Scirocco 16v
> 80 Scirocco 16v
> 93 Passat GLX
>
> http://www.geocities.com/vwtype53/
>
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