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Topic: 8v 1992 GTI Cold starting issue (Read 212 times) previous topic - next topic

8v 1992 GTI Cold starting issue

Brand new member here, apologies if I should not be posting such a large thread so early, though I'm desperate.
I've had my 1992 golf 8v mk2 GTI for about 5 months.
A month or two the car broke down when idling at a stop sign. It would crank perfectly but it wouldn't start. Had it towed to my local German auto specialist, and they found that my spark plugs were quite black and worn.
 Their notes were:
stated “car hard to start just cranks, with full throttle it will just catch and eventually it will run . checked air flow meter , all in spec coolant temp sensor ok check plugs , very black and wet with fuel. replaced. runs way better now .”

They replaced them and the car ran fine, then the next day when trying to start my car up in the morning, (about 5 Celsius weather) the same issue arose. It would crank but wouldn't start.
The last owner had installed a block heater, so I decided to plug it in, wait, and attempt to start it. this time the car started.

 I brought it back to the to the shop recently, where they spent over 7 hours testing everything they could think of, with the issue being inconclusive:
This is the service notes left by the mechanic from the second trip:
"The engine will not start cold.
-Test ignition system: There is ample spark present - suspect weak spark? Check distributor hall sender, cap/rotor OK. Replace ignition coil and test: still no start.
- Replace ground connectors at coolant flange as they are poor. Still no start.
- Unplug O2 sensor, no start. Unplug mass air sensor, no start.
- Test fuel system: pressures OK - in-tank and main pump are working. - Noting fuel smell at tail pipe - seems to be too rich when trying to start. Remove spark plugs: found to be fuel soaked. Clean plugs. Still no start. *this fuel contamination only happed the once.
- Engine will randomly start. When cold again, no start. - Suspect ECU - check and clean connector and terminals. Still no start. Connect known good used ECU, engine tried to start but no. Connect original ECU, engine started. When engine cooled off again, no start. - after trying to diagnose the problem for these few days the car is now starting cold every time. Cannot continue diagnostics now. The engine may not start again. The problem is inconclusive."


After this, I drove it for about five days where it would start up perfectly each morning in 2 degree Celsius weather and ran great. Then, suddenly one morning it would just crank and never start. So back to square one. Is there anything here that could have been overlooked? Anything helps, it seems it will start fine once the engine has been plugged into a block heater for atleast 2 hours. (apologies for so much info)

Re: 8v 1992 GTI Cold starting issue

Reply #1 –
Might be worth a shot, with it being a 92 I had an issue with the famous ignition switch, would start sometimes and other times nothing, would crank all day and not start, your wet plugs could just be from flooding trying to start it.

There was an ignition switch fault on some later cars.

Re: 8v 1992 GTI Cold starting issue

Reply #2 –
The thing is it will only not start when the engine is cold, like left overnight. It’ll crank and crank forever. But as soon as it’s been plugged into a block heater for a few hours, and the block is warm it’ll start like a charm everytime. So you think that would apply? Like the switch is affected by the temperature? I’m not very experienced so any help is genuinely appreciated.

Re: 8v 1992 GTI Cold starting issue

Reply #3 –
Its worth checking your getting 12v at the coil feed when you turn it over.  I had a car that would give 12v at the coil when I turned on the ignition, but when I turned the key to start it the worn ignition  switch would cut the feed to the coil and I go no spark.  Was a nuisance figuring that out!