Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Starting and idling Problems (Read 304 times) previous topic - next topic

Starting and idling Problems

So after my first post on here a few months ago, I'm happy to report that I finally managed to get a mk2 golf! Current owner of a 1989 driver (automatic) with only 60k miles. Everything has been going great with my new car these past 2 months until about 2 weeks ago. I guess I can put the following events into a date so it can give a sort of timeline of events.

11th May
So I went to start my car and it started fine and as normal until a few seconds into idling, the car started chugging with a burning smell coming from the exhaust. The battery light was flickering but wasn't coming on fully. Gave it a good rev and it was driving perfect again with battery light off.
15th May
However, second time a few days later, same issue and the second I went into drive it conked out. The engine was then turning but not starting.
21st May
 Had a bit of free time so I tried again and it started and idled as normal again. I didn't attempt driving it however.
Today (24th May)
Tried it again today and it started but went back to chugging while idling with the battery light flickering. Conked out after a few seconds of this. I tried to start it again after this and it's just barely turning now and not starting.

I was reading up online and asked a golf group on Facebook and have been told it's likely spark plugs, the alternator or the carburettor. anyone know which or if it could be anything else? I'm still new to working with cars and trying to learn the basics. Don't want to start buying expensive parts just in case it's a cheap and easy fix.

Thanks.

Re: Starting and idling Problems

Reply #1 –
I can't see it being the plugs but try taking them out give them a clean and see if it improves. If your battery is not got enough power to turn the engine it could be you flattened the battery trying to start it try charging the battery see if that helps if not your alternator might be shot. Finally does the car have an automatic choke or do you have to manually pull a choke lever? if its an auto choke it could stay on I had an auto choke fail and it gave similar problems car would start run but eventually start to run rough and eventually
cut out. The car would then restart as it was warm the choke would not come on and the car ran fine.
 

Re: Starting and idling Problems

Reply #2 –
Hi, I'm assuming the engine has the original pierberg carb.  A common fault with these is the electrical connection to the choke packs up.  If it does the engine will start and after a short while, less than a minute, start to chug as the choke is not backing off fast enough.  The choke is controlled by two things, the electrical connection and coolant.   The coolant take a while to warm up, so you need the electrical connection.  On my car its a black wire (I think).  You can disconnect the wire, at a red connector, where it meets a different wire that comes up from the thermo switch, on the upper coolant hose.  Attach a wire testing screwdriver or a multi meter and put the ignition on.  There should be 12 volts at the  wire.  If there isn't the grey thermo switch probably needs replaced.  There are two thermoswitches, a grey one and a red one.  The red one goes to the hedge hog in the inlet manifold.  Just follow the wire from the carb back to the thermo switch.  On my car the thermo switch was broken.  The second problem is a lack of earth at the choke housing (it breaks off with age).  Connect a multi meter to the choke housing, ignition off, and check you have continuity with the earth on the battery.  If you dont you need to run an earth wire from the choke housing to the battery.  This is a common problem as well.  If you dont have a multi meter, the simplest test you can do is pull off the plastic air box above the carb.  Switch the ignition on and watch the choke flap.  Within a minute the choke flap should start to open without the engine running.  If it doesn't then you have one of the two faults I've just explained.    This is a useful video that explains how the carb works https://youtu.be/taTBdkrQouI?si=MgwJ07eBE7hwODsU