56 reg mk 5 1.9 tdi cutting out/ no start issue

Georgeb97

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Location
Market Harborough
TDI
Golf 1.9 TDI
Hey guys,
I am at a real loss here! About 2 months ago I bought a mk 5 off of a private seller, it is at 149k miles. Full service history etc... Less than 24 hours after having the car I returned from food shopping to the car park, went to start the car and it would only turn over. It sounds as if it is almost there but just missing the last bit of power to start it.
I called the AA out and a VW specialist came to see me, typically when he arrived it started fine. He checked for faults came up as all 4 glow plugs, which led him to suggest the injector wiring as it runs in oil (I'll come back to that later). He also wondered if the EGR valve. But also he mentioned the ignition switch as they can go on these at that mileage and could cause it to not start.
Anyway I drove home and used it as normal (I had to wait the 15 days for the AA BRC cover to become active). It never broke down on me using it to and from work all week, I work about 3 miles from home. Then after a 15 mile journey it just cut out on me mid-drive, no coughing just died, had to wait about 30 mins then managed to start it by pumping the accelerator. I kept up with this issue or either cutting out or not starting and finally gave in and took it to my local VW specialist garage.
I told them exactly what I knew and the symptoms. Even after everything I said they just changed the glow plugs (surely that wouldn't cause the car to cut out mid-drive??). I said what about the injector wiring and he told me that my particular engine does actually have the injector wiring running in oil? Does anyone know if that is true? THERE ARE NOW NO FAULT CODES EITHER!!!!
He said it could be a number of things and didn't want to go changing everything as he knew I don't have lots of money to be replacing unnecessary things. It broke down the next day, as I expected, so I took it back, he drove it around with me for about 45 mins and never broke down (typical).
I am stuck with what to do here! I love the car and have always wanted a golf, I am only 21 with a young one so cant afford to just get rid of and risk loosing money. Has anyone encountered this issue?
I feel I should also note, I changed the battery and relay 109, and that the accelerator starts like shaking at about 60+ (usually a sign of it about break down), I believe it is called pinking or binking? Please excuse my lack of knowledge here.
 

Tdijarhead

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Location
Lawrenceville PA
TDI
2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
Mk 5’s have a problem with the grounds (earths) under the battery tray. Pull the battery remove the tray and make all those grounds shiny including the big one that leads to the top of bell housing. Reassemble.

Another possibility is the crank or cam sensor. Of course the first course of action on those is to check the connector making sure they are fully seated and then examining the wiring leading to them.

I think one of these sensors I forget which doesn’t throw a code when it goes bad.
 

Georgeb97

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Location
Market Harborough
TDI
Golf 1.9 TDI
Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies! So to update I have changed the fuel filter as of yesterday as I read about those being a problem, also I am going to clean the EGR this weekend too.

I have heard about the grounds being an issue when you say the big one going up to the bell housing? Am I being stupid here as I don't know what that is? I assume it'll be obvious when I have a look tonight?

And I shall check the intank fuel pump, what am I looking for to check it works?

Again sorry for me knowing practically nothing here!
 

JETaah

Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Jan 18, 2001
Location
mi 48836
TDI
96 B4V, 2005 BEW Beetle, 2005 Jetta Wagon
Check the timing belt for missing teeth. You might have drifted out of time.
When was the timing belt changed last?
 

Georgeb97

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Location
Market Harborough
TDI
Golf 1.9 TDI
Thanks JETaah

Check the timing belt for missing teeth. You might have drifted out of time.
When was the timing belt changed last?
Hi JETaah,
It was changed about 40K ago? I need to have another look at the service book to check for other possible things! Would this cause it to cut out and work 5 mins later?

I think for now I have a few things to check. Battery Grounds, EGR valve, intank fuel pump, I will order that relay and I'll have a look at the belt.

I am hopeful it may be a easy problem to fix! The car does seem somewhat clumsy and not performing at its best at all times.
 

Georgeb97

Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2018
Location
Market Harborough
TDI
Golf 1.9 TDI
Hi everyone,

So quick update. I have changed the fuel filter, checked the grounds. Cleaned the EGR with the spray (not taken it out to clean yet). As far as I can tell the fuel pumps are fine and making the noise? I have been told it could be the central inlet manifold.

I have just had a huge repair bil from snapped engine mounts and would love to get this sorted.
 
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