New (to me) 96n GTI not running

[K McCarthy]

Hi all, I Purchased a used 96 GTI from a private owner this winter, he started it on the trailer, it sounfed good so I bought it. Once the weather warmed up I put a new battery in it to go try it out. When I connect the key and press start all lights on the display come on. Then I press again and sometimes nothing and sometimes I hear a click. After pressing the button many times and hearing the click sometimes the starter engages for just a moment. What troubleshooting steps would you advise? Thanks

 

[ace422]

Could be a bad starter solenoid. Try jumping the two posts with a screwdriver and see if it will crank. if it does, you need a new solenoid.

 

[MacAddict]

Yeah.... sounds like bad solenoid.... jump across solenoid posts with plastic handled screwdriver or rubber ended pliers.... if the engine turns over, then bad solenoid. Sometimes you can tap the solenoid with the back of a screwdriver handle to get it to engage as well, but that's not reliable and you don't eant the solenoid failing 5miles from the dock....

 

[K McCarthy]

I actually did that and it did crank. I tried to use a meter to check voltage at the plug to the coil, didn't read anything but it was hard to hold the meter leads on the plug and push the start button. The coil voltage comes out of an electronic module of some kind, I think it must get a start signal from the button and then send voltage to the solenoid coil. I would think that the next test may be the button, not sure which wires go to the button.

 

[MacAddict]

grab a free manual at www [dot] seadoomanuals [dot] net for your model and there are wiring diagrams to check the start button... but if jumping it cause the engine to turn over, then its a sticky solenoid, and best to replace...

 

[K McCarthy]

Thanks MacAddict, I will!

 

[mikidymac]

Don't worry about the coil at this point.

I think the 96' GTI had DESS, when you attach the lanyard do you get two beeps and the instruments come alive?

If you jump the solenoid and it cranks either the solenoid is bad or the start stop switch.

 

[K McCarthy]

No beeps but when I attach the lanyard and press start all lights on the display come on and fuel level is displayed. I am leaning toward the switch.

 

[mikidymac]

The solenoid is much more common.
Find the plug for the switch and connect a meter to it. When you press the switch you should have continuity.

 

[K McCarthy]

Ok, I will do that. Thanks

 

[K McCarthy]

I found the problem. No continuity through the kill switch or DESS as they call it. With the lanyard on I get 130 ohms. With it off, open. If I bypass the safety it starts right up. Any ideas on fixing without spending a lot? Thanks.

 

[Triorieel]

If your key works like I read mine does, it uses a magnet to announce itself and then it gets power to do the dess stuff. When the key disappears (rider falls off) the magnetic link breaks.

I don't know if this would help or not, but I would plug the key in and hold a bigger magnet behind it to see if there is a difference. If there is I would swing the magnet across and around the post different ways in an attempt to open and close the internal connection.
This might turn into nothing more then playing around and if it does help, I wouldn't expect it to last.


Edit: On second thought, since you are already reading the ohm's, I wouldn't involve the key and just play with a magnet near the post while reading the ohms.