Hello,

I'm having a BIG problem! Occasionally, my car won't start. It's Tipo 2.0 16v.

The fuel pump works, idle valve tics, when I turn the ignition the starter turns the motor but it sometimes just won't start. This happens every now and then, usually when I leave the car overnight, but not always.

Here's the weird thing - when it won't start, if somebody pulls me with his car and I release the clutch with ignition on it will start immediately! And the engine will run normally. If I turn it off, it will start like nothing ever happened. No symptoms what so ever. Until next time (usually when left overnight) when it just won't start... And I have ask somebody to pull me. Major PITA.

My mechanic is clueless and I'm slowly going mad. We've checked the fuel pump, but it doesn't seem to be the problem. I don't know if there's a spark when the problem occurs - I haven't been able to check that yet. There is a voltage on the distributor with the ignition on, though.

I'm pretty sure it's not the coolant or air temperature sensors - previously I had problems with them so I'm familiar with that, I've checked them, tried short circuiting, nothing...

The weird thing is the car will start if somebody pulls me and I release the clutch. But it won't when the starter is turning it.

The battery is new.

I don't know cars that much, but I no electronics. Is there anyway I can troubleshoot this myself? I know that the car won't start if any of the sensors are disconnected, but like i said I checked those for temperatures.

What else can I do?

Does the ECU for this engine keep a log of errors? IOW, if I go to computer-testing will they be able to see any previous errors even if the car is running (and starting) normally as it is now?


Regards,
Goran

My mate recently overcame a similar problem in his VW Golf MK3 GTi

Was an electrical problem, one of the relays was fried, I think the he said it was the fuel pump relay.

Call out an Auto Electrician

i had this problem ith my tipo, try changing the starter they've got a habit of this i'm told!!

I have a 1.6 tipo!! My did that too!!! But i grabed the cable with a connector that goes to my injection system and i shaked it really hard, and the sucker has started and didn't bother me for 3 weeks now!!! Try it!!! Goran___is that a cro name?? I'm Cro!!!

I also had that problems with my Tipo 1.6 i.e. I used to fill a bitt gasoline directly to carburator and it worked. There was no other way to start it.
After that I started to wait a few seconds before start, just to let the fuel pump to fill, and it never hapened again...