00 Beetle TDI - Won't start

BurningBio

Active member
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Location
Minneapolis
TDI
1998 Jetta
My wifes 00 beetle won't start for some reason. It got colder here (30s)and her car had a hard time starting one morning. It cranked ok but it took about 6 tries to get it going. The car ran fine and started for her after work. The next morning same thing but it would not start at all and she wore the battery down. She is on her second tank of diesel from running Bio all summer. Up untill this the car has been running great

Heres what I have tried so far:

New battery - cranks great now -still won't start
New fuel filter - Mityvaced it - still no go
Checked GP light - Lights and then turns off in 3 sec or so

I have checked the forums and didn't see a no brainer for a fix. Anyone got any ideas??

Thanks!
 

scooperhsd

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Location
Kansas City KS
TDI
NB, 2000, RED(5 Speed conversion) 2015 Golf SE
#1 Glow plugs 101 Version 2 thread
#2 - have your timing checked - should be in the upper range.
#3 - following proper starting procedure ? (let GP light turn off before cranking starter)
 

basskleff

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2006
Location
MA
TDI
2003 New Beetle GLS
Second what scooperhsd said.
Definitely make sure the gp system is working.
As the gp 101 details, you can check each gp with an ohmeter. I might do that first, it's so fast and easy. Good chance you have a dead or lazy plug.
Keep an eye on it if temps warm up. If it hard starts in the 40s or 50s you might have air leaking into the fuel system. Possible causes are bad O-rings on thermo-T fitting of fuel filter, bad/cracked fuel lines.
 

BurningBio

Active member
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Location
Minneapolis
TDI
1998 Jetta
Thanks to all for their sugestions. I will be working on it tomorrow..err today, to see if I can narrow it down. I am still hoping it is something simple.
 

Franko6

Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
May 7, 2005
Location
Sw Missouri
TDI
Jetta, 99, Silver`
you wouldn't be burning a big load of bio in it, now would you? You know that fuel gets high viscosity when it gets cold. Many Bio guys go to Dino fuel in the winter months...
 

BurningBio

Active member
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Location
Minneapolis
TDI
1998 Jetta
Ok, found 2 bad GPs but parts store only had one. I installed the new one but still no start (I am searching for another one as I type).

Two questions:

1. Where is the anti-shutter valve, and how do I check it. I searched the forums and there are alot of posts telling you to check it but I cannot find one to tell me where it is. Perhaps I and just a search dope....

2. Someone told me to check the timing but how do I check the timing if I can't start the car?

Thanks again for all the help!
 

BurningBio

Active member
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Location
Minneapolis
TDI
1998 Jetta
Replaced the other GP and found the anti-shutter valve (it's open).

It still won't start! no smoke, no nothing!

Help!
 

basskleff

Veteran Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2006
Location
MA
TDI
2003 New Beetle GLS
Maybe you should start cracking the injector line nuts (17mm)one at a time and cycle starter a few spins and make sure fuel spirts out. Then close the nut and move to the next. Maybe air is getting into the system somehow.
Then you might apply mity vac to the injection pump fuel return line and apply it at where the line plugs into thermo T on fuel filter. If that side of the T fitting has the original "cut-down" fuel hose clamp you can get rid of it and install a screw band clamp or spring steel fitted clamp. Try sucking fuel there to pull through the injection pump. You may want to replace the O-rings on the T again, if the hard start symptoms come back after 30-40 minutes sitting.

Another possibility is that you nailed the bad glow plugs but maybe the glow cycle is not coming on long enough. Try starting the car when it is warm out, if it does get warm enough. I'm sure there's troubleshooting tips for the circuit here.

Good luck
 

Birdman

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 7, 1999
Location
Near Hagerstown MD.
TDI
Jetta 2001 Died by Truck one snowy day. Jetta 2003
Find someone with a Vag-Com and check the timing, these cars WILL start in 30% weather without glow plugs but if the timing is out they will be very hard to start. I have started mine at 0% with out the glow plugs and a good battery. The timing is set by adjusting the fuel pump and can only be done with the proper tools and know how. find the list at the top of the forum for someone in your are that will help you.
 

jasonTDI

TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Location
Oregon, WI
TDI
04', 05', 06' TDI's. Audi SQ5, RAM Rebel
I've ahad 2 cars this week in the same situation. Same fueling situation too. BOTH required a new injection pump. No, it was NOT the fuel shut off relay. The pumps were crap. Ironically, the locals here get their fule from a distributor that buys their fuel from MNPLS/STP.....hmmmmm.....
 

BurningBio

Active member
Joined
Jul 9, 2007
Location
Minneapolis
TDI
1998 Jetta
Ok, I cracked the injector line nuts and I am not gettin any fuel what so ever. I also pulled out the case pressure regulator and tapped it back together as the little gizmo had started to "walk" out.

I have tried to pull the fuel through the ip return with my Mityvac but it just does not seem to have enough vacume to get more that a a squirt or two of fuel. Is there another way to prime the pump? All the other posts say that mityvacing should work.

Thanks again for all your help guys!
 

jasonTDI

TDI GURU Vendor , w/Business number
Joined
Apr 26, 2001
Location
Oregon, WI
TDI
04', 05', 06' TDI's. Audi SQ5, RAM Rebel
The pump is trashed. You won't get fuel when the internals won't let it through. You could put your oil vac and pump til you're blue and get nothing. I see it at least a dozen times a year.
 
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