help needed for a buddy(87 16v)

[roccit_53 at scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca (C Boyko)]

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Kenny Della Croce" <spraybomb85@gmail.com>
> To: "scirocco-l" <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
> Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2007 12:17 AM
> Subject: help needed for a buddy(87 16v)
>
>
> >  his 87 16v scirocco wont start.
> >  from what he said it just trys and trys.
> >  later he said it just trys to crank.
> >  he's getting kinda ticked now and is sorta giving up so im trying
> >  to help him so he doesnt give up.
> >  help is always appreciated
> >  thanks
> >  -Rich
> >  _______________________________________________
> >  Scirocco-l mailing list
> >  Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> >  http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l

Not a lot to go on there. 

First, do you hear the fuel pump priming? If not, maybe the relay has taken
a dump or is not making good connection in the relay panel. The handy
bypass wire will be in the ashtray (or glovebox if you're a smoker). If
not, why not? It's standard equipment once the car hits ten or so. :)

Electrical could include:-
-those small wires to the starter, check them for cracks/corrosion. Not
that I have ever had problems with those. Not in the last two days anyway.
Also possible wires to check for soundness:
-the ones on the cold start valve and that it has the right plug on it,
there's another on the head nearby that will fit there, and it's easy to
get them mixed up.
-the ones on the coil-make sure they're snug
-the plug on the Hall sender on the ignition distributor, it dangles at an
odd angle and gets stressed, and if those wires don't connect, the car's
not gonna run.
Of course, the "big wires" to the alternator/starter/battery/frame etc
should be clean and firmly attached. The "under the airbox" ground strap
bolt and it's little pal on the tranny being the worst offenders. And
there's a strap on the starter itself that often gets frayed, you'll see
it, it's a woven deal.
Some would say check for fuel and spark first, not a bad thing, then you
know which is crapping out on you. But wiggling wires has served me well
enough. Though somehow I missed those fried ones on my 16V starter, but
more often than not, there will be a fried/loose wire that was the problem.
And at this age, it's entirely likely that it's more than one thing.
Cathy