VW Golf Mk2 Owners Club

Won't stop priming

September 29, 2025, 08:19:09 PM

Hello,

So I'm putting my 1988 golf gti 8v back on the road, I recently passed its mot and returned home. It'd been off the road for around 5 years.

Couple of days go by and I reckon it'd be a god day for a blast. However it won't start. Nothing not even a click.

Tray the key a few times, try charging the battery and try the key again.

So I swap the starter for a spare one as im sure i saw it smoke a little and try again. With the replacement in this time the engine turns but the pump won't stop priming..... so much so that petrol starts coming down the exhaust having filled the cylinders.

I've changed the fuel pump, fuel regulator, vacum hose to regulator, injectors, pump relay, I've cleaned earth's point and connectors, I've made sure the fuel supply and return lines aren't blocked

But it still will not stop priming. Any ideas? Cheers

Re: Won't stop priming

Reply #1 – September 30, 2025, 03:21:25 PM

Hi,

Is it possible your main earth has become lose?
If so, the chances are your ECU has died:
When the main earth loosens, the car uses the ECU earth as the main and it fries it.
The main symptom for this is the injectors being stuck open.

First thing you need to do is drop your oil out and replace it with new, then fit a new ECU and try again.
If you successfully get your car to fire now, the diluted oil will kill your engine... ask me how I know!!

Re: Won't stop priming

Reply #2 – September 30, 2025, 07:20:17 PM

Hi thanks for the reply, I've got a spare ECU so will try that tomorrow. I'm going to check the wiring with a multi meter before I commit to plugging in my only spare.

I've already dropped the oil, so good shout.... it was significantly watered down with all the fuel going into it.

Re: Won't stop priming

Reply #3 – October 02, 2025, 09:39:55 AM

Good plan and good luck!

Re: Won't stop priming

Reply #4 – October 04, 2025, 05:44:18 PM

Hi

Replacement ECU in. I also used the digifant YouTube video and multi meter to check all the connections and tighten anything that looked loose.

New oil and filter, and it's running sweet as a nut.

Again thanks for your help.

Cheers

Iain