95 GTI 717 sometimes cranks sometimes doesn't

[rgp717]

OK, so I have this new-to-me 95 GTI 717. Ran it for 5 hrs today, ran great. Then the wife hops on, starts it and stalls it twice. Now it's no fun.

So here is what happens: I put on the DESS, sometimes I get the two-beep, sometimes I don't. In either case, if I press the button and try to start it, all 5 indicator lights come on, but nothing ... no crank , no nothing. If I am persistent, and try and try to start it, after about the 5th try, I get one beep, and my temperature indicator light comes on for a second.

Now for the kicker: Every 20 tries or so, it suddenly starts cranking, and it might even start (but doesn't keep running). What the F?

New battery, new plugs, changed all the fuel lines, carb rebuild. Ran great for 5 hours, then the wife touched it. I don't believe she did anything untowards, but she does have a talent for finding weakness in mechanical systems.

Does the metal in the DESS sometimes need adjustment? Any other ideas very much welcome.

 

[rgp717]

I'm a moron

Nevermind ... I'm a moron. So, today I put a charger on the battery for a couple of hours, and voila, no more problems. So, I guess my problem looks like a charging issue. I'll search the forum.

New battery, my son can run the heck out of it at full throttle. The wife and I fart around at idle through some marinas, and the battery goes dead. Any comments?

 

[- BiRkS_]

Well looks like you have a ground leak, or your charging fuse may be blown.
if that isnt it, you may have a bad voltage regulator.