03 Jetta ALH - Engine no start problem

[Jedda03SGP]

Need a little insight. Just finished a clutch R&R, car started right after, but a day later, it won't turn over. First thing this AM I turned key, nothing, turned off key and tried again, the starter turned and it fired fine.

Got gas, went to fire up and nothing.

All lights come on on cluster, but no click at the starter solenoid.

Can't figure out which fuse controls the starter/solenoid.
Could it be the clutch switch puked coincidentally with my clutch R&R?
Could it be the metal clipped connector at the starter itself?
Could it be the starter itself (read on a couple threads about the braided ground going bad)??

Any help appreciated.
TIA

 

[rwolff]

Got gas, went to fire up and nothing.

I'd say you're lucky that it didn't fire up - saved you a big repair bill.

 

[JETaah]

Did you clean and tighten the engine ground on the transmission mounting bolt?

 

[Jedda03SGP]

i'd say you're lucky that it didn't fire up - saved you a big repair bill.

whhaaaaatt ???

 

[JETaah]

"272,000 and goin' strong"

Whaaaattt?
not yet

 

[Jedda03SGP]

Did you clean and tighten the engine ground on the transmission mounting bolt?

JET, yes I had all connections cleaned up and greased with di-electric grease.

Turns out the problem was the single wire lead to the starter solenoid. It had work hardened and cracked right at the connector, under the bright green grommet that inserts into the end of the connector.

Cleaned it up and re-soldered the metal connector, which I was able to extract from the connector by inserting a 2mm allen key into each side release and yanking out.

Would post a picture of the connector if someone could clue me on how to attach photos.

Thanks,
Steve

 

[steve6]

just put it on picpaste and put the link.

 

[Jedda03SGP]

Connector picture from picpaste

just put it on picpaste and put the link.

http://picpaste.com/pics/Photo_Jan_08__9_19_18_PM-gyiw2pHp.1452524206.jpg

 

[rwolff]

In your original post, you said you got GAS. If it had fired up, you could have damaged the VE pump. As it stands, all you need to do is drain the bad fuel out of the tank and fill it with DIESEL.

 

[Jedda03SGP]

In your original post, you said you got GAS. If it had fired up, you could have damaged the VE pump. As it stands, all you need to do is drain the bad fuel out of the tank and fill it with DIESEL.

rw, sorry, missed the subtlety of your post, and my lack of attention to detail. Anyway, I did not put "gas" in it, fortunately, but I have had the car for 9 years now !!!

Thanks,
Steve