Anybody know anything about VW diesels???

RedDog · Nov 13, 2004

I hope somebody does. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

The vehicle is a 1985 VW Golf diesel, 5 speed. Golf runs very good except for one problem. I always have to push it to start it. It doesn't matter if it is cold, (the motor) or if I have driven it for half an hour and shut it off. Even when it is warm I still have to coast start it.

The battery cranks it over very well, and I even took the Optima battery out of my Suburban (diesel) and tried it in the Golf to no avail. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

At first I thought it was the glow plugs, but I would think that wouldn't cause it not to start when the motor was warm. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

It runs great after I bump start it. Anybody know what the problem is?????

Thanks, RedDog

RoyJackson · Nov 13, 2004

Sounds like you need a new or rebuilt starter.

Soundguy · Nov 13, 2004

I've seen diesels with compression getting low that won't electric start.. but will pull start.

Another idea is.. does the flywheel have a replaceable ring gear? If so check to see if the ring gear is slipping on the flywheel. I've seen that on old gas tractors. (
have someone crank it over and visually determine if the engine is turning over )

Soundguy

Bird · Nov 13, 2004

RedDog, I don't know anything about those VW diesels, but if the battery and starter turn the engine OK, and it starts easily by pushing or pulling, but not by engaging the starter, and then it runs well? I assume there is a fuel shut-off solenoid to turn off the fuel when you turn the key off. Is there a possibility that an electrical problem exists, such that the fuel solenoid is open, allowing fuel to flow when the key is "on", but then shuts off the fuel solenoid when the starter is engaged?

How's that for a wild guess? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

bgott · Nov 13, 2004

Check the glow plug system. That engine has precombustion chambers and they are durn near impossible to start without the glow plugs working.

johnday · Nov 13, 2004

RedDog; When I first saw your post my dilexia was in full swing. I thought it said WV as in West Virginia diesel. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
I tend to agree with Bird on this. Do you have a shop manual? If so, I would start with the electrical drawings starting from the ignition switch and see what connections there are to the fuel pump in the start position. I had an '85 Jetta, the wiring in the '85's was horrible. VW had many electrical problems in at least that year. I went thru the shop manual and traced my problem to a ground that, beleive or not, the crackhead mechanic at the dealer had decided to cut! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Three trips to the dealer and I finally had to show them how to fix it. This has nothing to do with your problem, just an example. If I can believe the service department, they told me that VW had gotten a load of wiring harnesses from the supplier that were "too short". I think I'd start looking for a bad ground or other connection using the shop manual.
Please let us know what you find out. And good luck. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jinman · Nov 14, 2004

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is there a possibility that an electrical problem exists, such that the fuel solenoid is open, allowing fuel to flow when the key is "on", but then shuts off the fuel solenoid when the starter is engaged?
)</font>

Wow! That's a very astute answer, Bird. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I recently had a problem with the fuel S-O solenoid on my Cummins. It had a deteriorated rubber boot around the arm going to the fuel pump and required more pull to move the arm than normal. I could pull it with my hand and the truck would start and run. When I discovered the boot was gone, I just removed it, and suddenly my problem went away. If the battery is having to run the starter, a faulty electrical circuit could be the problem. I'd check to see if the solenoid can be opened by hand and try that. It was easily done on my Cummins, but might not be as easy on the VW. If the engine starts, then check to see if the solenoid is getting power during start. It obviously works in the normal ignition position because push starting works. Your idea makes lots of sense to me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

hobbyfarm · Nov 14, 2004

RedDog,
You might also check the starter amperage draw. It may be able to turn, but just not turn fast enough. Another thing, get an electrical schematic for the vehicle, then make sure that the various eletrical items (fuel shutoff solenoid, etc.) that must turn on when the starter switch is turned to "start" position, another thing, make sure the starter switch is "making" and "breaking" the proper circuits when in this position. You may just have a bad switch. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

phil

RedDog · Nov 14, 2004

Well guys I hate to tell you, but nobody was right. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I looked it over today, and found out it was the fusible link that was the culprit. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

For those of you that are not familiar with a fusible link, it basically a small piece of metal that is used as a fuse, held on by 2 screws. The metal was good and one screw was semi tight, but the other was loose. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I tighten both screws up, and it fired right up!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Thanks for all responses, RedDog