Bew no crank no click no start HELP!!!

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
I manual swapped my 05 bew from the 09a to the 02j transmission and it's had a staring issue which I've been finding more stuff wrong with it and got it to the point where it will hard start and die and on the second try it starts and runs without issues, runs very well once the engine is warmed up, when I got in to try and go to work today it wouldn't crank and yhe starter doesn't click, I tried to short it out to get it to start and still nothing, I replaced the starter with a new duralast starter and it still isn't doing anything, I pulled the alternator from my lil brother's 2.0l jetta and put it in since I bought it not even 2 years ago to see if that was the issue and again nothing, I checked to make sure the signal wire on the starter is getting 12v and it is, idk where to go from here and need to get to work tomorrow PLEASE HELP!!!
 

Seatman

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Location
Scotland
TDI
2014 Skoda rapid elegance 1.6 cr tdi
Check the ground strap to the gearbox, think it's the main ground for the battery if memory serves me right. I forgot to tighten it once and it gave me no end of grief.

Also check for continuity between engine and battery negative, make sure that's all in order.

If all that is well does the engine rotate by hand? Car in 5th gear, jack one of the front wheels and try turning it to rotate the engine.
 

KrashDH

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Dec 22, 2013
Location
Washington
TDI
2002 Golf
Wiggle the pos. cable from the battery to the starter. They internally corrode and depending on the weather/atmosphere it will literally click once or not at all and seem "dead". Usually the wiggle and you can regain connection and it will start normal. Dealt with this for a few days and then replaced that cable and never did it again
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
Check the ground strap to the gearbox, think it's the main ground for the battery if memory serves me right. I forgot to tighten it once and it gave me no end of grief.

Also check for continuity between engine and battery negative, make sure that's all in order.

If all that is well does the engine rotate by hand? Car in 5th gear, jack one of the front wheels and try turning it to rotate the engine.
Already checked the ground strap to the transmission bell housing ns sanded it down to be sure, I have continuity between battery and engine and I can turn over the engine in 5th
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
Wiggle the pos. cable from the battery to the starter. They internally corrode and depending on the weather/atmosphere it will literally click once or not at all and seem "dead". Usually the wiggle and you can regain connection and it will start normal. Dealt with this for a few days and then replaced that cable and never did it again
I've been messing with that cable all day amd nothing has changed, the starter solenoid won't even click, I tried to short start the new starter and it won't work, battery is at 12.5v too, when I short it I get a very small spark with the new starter, got a bigger one with the old starter but both don't try and turn over the engine
 

Seatman

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Location
Scotland
TDI
2014 Skoda rapid elegance 1.6 cr tdi
Already checked the ground strap to the transmission bell housing ns sanded it down to be sure, I have continuity between battery and engine and I can turn over the engine in 5th

Keep the probes on the battery while someone tries to start it, see if the voltage plummets. You can have a battery reading 12v or more and still be kaput.
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
The battery is new, I also took another new battery out of another car and still nothing
 

Seatman

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Location
Scotland
TDI
2014 Skoda rapid elegance 1.6 cr tdi
With the starter off the car, put one of the tabs where it bolts on to the engine hard against the battery negative, then use a jumper to touch the 13mm bolt where the strap between starter and solenoid connects.
The one where the batter connects won't do anything unless the solenoid is energised.

That will confirm the starter is actually working.

If that's good then you know it's the car. If you're getting 12v to the small plug for the solenoid then you know it's got to be a bad ground or power connection/cable.
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
With the starter off the car, put one of the tabs where it bolts on to the engine hard against the battery negative, then use a jumper to touch the 13mm bolt where the strap between starter and solenoid connects.
The one where the batter connects won't do anything unless the solenoid is energised.

That will confirm the starter is actually working.

If that's good then you know it's the car. If you're getting 12v to the small plug for the solenoid then you know it's got to be a bad ground or power connection/cable.
I litterally just picked this starter up brand new from autozone today, it's good, I tried jumping the starter using a wrench but it wouldn't work, ill try pulling the starter out and trying it like that next weekend tho, my boss picked me up for work for the next week, only have Sundays off and gotta do the clutch on my truck so I know I have a working vehical since I know how to do a clutch and this golf is a mystery :(
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
Clutch switch and/or associated wiring?
I did just notice the plundger to the clutch switch isn't even pressing on the plundger but weather I push in the plundger or leave it out the car still doesn't start, I know the problem is somewhere in the wiring, I'm hoping someone here could give me some insight on where to start, I freakin hate wires
 

wonneber

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Location
Monroe, NY, USA
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagon,2003 Jetta 261K Sold but not forgotten
I wonder if it's a bad Auto Zone starter.
With the starter out of the car can you make the gear turn by prying it?
If so, use jumper cables.
Clamp the negative to the starter case.
Tap the positive on the bus that goes from the solenoid into the starter. Hold the starter down tight!!
It should spin.
Last jump a wire from the batters positive to the small terminal of the solenoid.
The starter again should spin.
If all is OK you are not getting power to the small terminal.
Bad as mentioned above, bad or not correctly adjusted neutral safety switch, broken wire.
Do you have a test light to do this?
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
This is what I needed, I wouldn't think 2 starters would be bad, the small sparks makes me think the pos battery cable is bad cuz like I said the first starter isn't a reman, it's a brand new one from rock auto that's only got 6k miles on it since that's all the car has on it as a manual, I haven't ripped out all of the wires to check if they r broken but I'm getting some type of power everywhere I should be which is y I'm stumped, ill test both the starters Wednesday and 4th of July, the mobile mechanic is in the hospital so I need to figure this out, oh and as for turning the gear no it only turns one way, the rock auto starter turns both ways it's just difficult to turn one of the ways
 

wonneber

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Location
Monroe, NY, USA
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagon,2003 Jetta 261K Sold but not forgotten
This is what I needed, I wouldn't think 2 starters would be bad, the small sparks makes me think the pos battery cable is bad cuz like I said the first starter isn't a reman, it's a brand new one from rock auto that's only got 6k miles on it since that's all the car has on it as a manual, I haven't ripped out all of the wires to check if they r broken but I'm getting some type of power everywhere I should be which is y I'm stumped, ill test both the starters Wednesday and 4th of July, the mobile mechanic is in the hospital so I need to figure this out, oh and as for turning the gear no it only turns one way, the rock auto starter turns both ways it's just difficult to turn one of the ways
Is it the the teeth on the starter that turn easy both ways then that's the problem.
Rock Auto Crapusta at it finest. :(
If not please provide more info what's turning both ways.
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
Is it the the teeth on the starter that turn easy both ways then that's the problem.
Rock Auto Crapusta at it finest. :(
If not please provide more info what's turning both ways.
Ya the sprocket with the teeth on the starter, that and the shaft that it sits on spins both ways and on the duralast starter it will only turn one way, I've noticed on the first crank of the day it will start to turn over then the starter will cut out so I'm guessing this was the problem before and it's just worsened to the point it won't do anything now, once this is fixed I'm hoping everything works as it should but I have had a stalling issue when the ac is on amd I shift into neutral, I'm guessing that's also a power related issue so hopefully that is fixed with it, I know the ac draws more power and as long as I dont shift into neutral it works just fine, when I was in vegas amd I needed the ac I would just turn it off before going into neutral and once rpms hit 900 I turned it back on without any problems
 

wonneber

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Location
Monroe, NY, USA
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagon,2003 Jetta 261K Sold but not forgotten
Sounds like it is.
I use to buy my stuff from IDPARTS.COM.
They have good stuff and know our cars.
Now that I'm retired and the repair shop I use to help sold the business I started going to VW for my service.
My 2014 JSW is just getting to 50K miles so I don't have to worry about that for a while.
VW gave me a price of $3,000 to change the trans fluid & filter. :eek:
That may be next month.
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
Oh ya I don't get to buy cars with warrantys lol I work 1200 miles away from my family so they can live in a house, my current job is almost over and the next one starts Monday 11 hours away from where I am now, I'll be able to get to the car tonight after work, I've been staying with my boss so he can drag me to work 2 hours away from the car, I'll make sure to let u guys know what I find with it as soon as I know
 

eeonmomberg

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 10, 2022
Location
Camano
TDI
2006 golf tdi
Grand conclusion, autozone and rock auto both sold me bad starters, I got one from orileys and had them test all 3 and theirs was the only one that passed, it fixed my starting issue (obviously) my car stalling g 1-5 times when it sits which i thought was an air or fuel issue and my stalling with the ac on when I shift into neutral, thanks for ur help guys I appreciate it and I now have a 4eliable car to drive to Montana for my new job that starts Monday:)
 

Seatman

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Apr 23, 2010
Location
Scotland
TDI
2014 Skoda rapid elegance 1.6 cr tdi
Grand conclusion, autozone and rock auto both sold me bad starters, I got one from orileys and had them test all 3 and theirs was the only one that passed, it fixed my starting issue (obviously) my car stalling g 1-5 times when it sits which i thought was an air or fuel issue and my stalling with the ac on when I shift into neutral, thanks for ur help guys I appreciate it and I now have a 4eliable car to drive to Montana for my new job that starts Monday:)
See, this is why I was waiting on you testing it off the car lol

No guarantees things work when new, always worth checking.
 

Nuje

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Feb 11, 2005
Location
Island near Vancouver
TDI
2002 Golf 6MT; 2015 Sportwagen 6MT; 2016 A3 e-tron 6DSG
VW gave me a price of $3,000 to change the trans fluid & filter. :eek:
Saayyyyy what now?! I mean, even at crazy dealer mark-up prices, that's ridiculous. $3000 should get you a new transmission with factory-fresh fluid.
 

Boosty

Active member
Joined
May 20, 2024
Location
Indiana
TDI
04 Golf GL
Grand conclusion, autozone and rock auto both sold me bad starters, I got one from orileys and had them test all 3 and theirs was the only one that passed, it fixed my starting issue (obviously) my car stalling g 1-5 times when it sits which i thought was an air or fuel issue and my stalling with the ac on when I shift into neutral, thanks for ur help guys I appreciate it and I now have a 4eliable car to drive to Montana for my new job that starts Monday:)
On some critical parts I try to buy local as in a chain parts store even if much more costly than ebay or rock. Critical here meaning starters, alts, etc things known to give out on tdis. Reason being is if the part has a decent warranty you can usually get a replacement in just about any small town in America. That is opposed to sending the inexpensive bad part back to rock auto or ebay or whoever, taking weeks while the car is still on the side of the road wherever it shat upon thee. I especially like oreilly and napa due quality as opposed to, oh, say, duralast.

Also when an actual professional mechanic told me to my face that oem parts from a salvage yard are often better quality than aftermarket, especially chinesium, I started harvesting known good oem parts from salvage yards, such as lift pumps, relays, headlight sockets, plastic parts like intakes, etc. Then I get a box and put all these goodies in the trunk of each car they would apply to. For example, in my Jetta I have several mafs, an intake hose, oem fuel pump and sender, throttle position sender, etc odds and ends that can replace on the road when needed, no tow truck or parts store needed. Also if I replace a good working used part due mileage, that replaced part goes into the parts box in the trunk of the car. Add belts, battery cables, fuse boxes, fuses, good to go for temp repairs.
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
On some critical parts I try to buy local as in a chain parts store even if much more costly than ebay or rock. Critical here meaning starters, alts, etc things known to give out on tdis. Reason being is if the part has a decent warranty you can usually get a replacement in just about any small town in America. That is opposed to sending the inexpensive bad part back to rock auto or ebay or whoever, taking weeks while the car is still on the side of the road wherever it shat upon thee. I especially like oreilly and napa due quality as opposed to, oh, say, duralast.
Or you buy the quality part online. Don't have issues and motor on. Drive more worry less. Even rockauto has better quality parts at cheaper rates then most auto stores. The only nice thing about local auto stores is its fast, and easily obtainable when you need it most.
Rockauto has valeo starter for an ALH for ~180$ which is only slightly more than local parts stores and is way better quality. Local part stores are soooo overpriced. I never buy anything from them unless I need it asap.


Last online order I did was ~375 (name brand oem parts) and out of curiosity I put it through oriellys and autozone to see what the total would be for their house brand stuff. Over $650 total.
 

GlowBugTDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 20, 2018
Location
Cambridge, MN
TDI
2001 Beetle GLS TDI (BIODSL). 01 original Glow Bug TDI (sold)
See, this is why I was waiting on you testing it off the car lol
Pretty sure more than both of us said to do this. I know I mentioned it in his other thread. Even when both starters did the same thing (not turning over with power directly to them).
Sometimes the best way to learn is going through it. I know I've been there.
 

wonneber

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Oct 12, 2011
Location
Monroe, NY, USA
TDI
2014 Jetta Sportwagon,2003 Jetta 261K Sold but not forgotten
Grand conclusion, autozone and rock auto both sold me bad starters, I got one from orileys and had them test all 3 and theirs was the only one that passed, it fixed my starting issue (obviously) my car stalling g 1-5 times when it sits which i thought was an air or fuel issue and my stalling with the ac on when I shift into neutral, thanks for ur help guys I appreciate it and I now have a 4eliable car to drive to Montana for my new job that starts Monday:)
I suspect AZ and Or sell Chinese Replacement Auto Parts. :(
 
Top