Club 80-90 Forums

Guys, I have a problem with getting Berty started.
I recently had a new engine fitted, I changed the alternator and battery a couple of months previous. Started getting strarting issue, whether hot or cold, just a slow wa wa wa wa until it fired.

I have cleaned the earth wire, put new spade terminal on poitve part of starter,I decided to bite the bullet and get a new starter and bush. Had them fitted today, guess what, still the same.
Do you think it might be the timing ?

If you can actually start it on a battery charged off the vehicle, check you actually get about 14v across the battery terminals once started. If not, its not charging. Otherwise look at: https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ain_cables" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is highly unlikely to be the timing.

Although the battery is fairly new, it's the first thing to suspect with your symptoms. If you can borrow a known good battery off another vehicle, try that to find out if your battery has gone weak. BUT double check the way round the terminals are BEFORE connecting another battery up. Some have them the opposite way around and you certainly don't want to get your +ve reds and -ve blacks mixed up !! If it's still lazy, then yes, do as Covkid says and check all the big heavy starter cables.

You can test the engine earth by temporarily using a jump lead from a solid bit of the engine, to a solid clean bit of chassis. The tailgate latch, on the bodywork near where your willy is when you are bending over the engine makes a good earth for this test.

when you changed the starter did you change the bush in the bellhousing too...if worn, it can affect starting big time....

Yes changed the bush.

ghost123uk wrote:It is highly unlikely to be the timing.

Although the battery is fairly new, it's the first thing to suspect with your symptoms. If you can borrow a known good battery off another vehicle, try that to find out if your battery has gone weak. BUT double check the way round the terminals are BEFORE connecting another battery up. Some have them the opposite way around and you certainly don't want to get your +ve reds and -ve blacks mixed up !! If it's still lazy, then yes, do as Covkid says and check all the big heavy starter cables.

You can test the engine earth by temporarily using a jump lead from a solid bit of the engine, to a solid clean bit of chassis. The tailgate latch, on the bodywork near where your willy is when you are bending over the engine makes a good earth for this test.

Definitely not the battery, as had three different batteries on. Going to check the earth out again at the weekend. I just have this nagging feeling that it may be something to do with the timing set up.

It does start , 8 out of 10 times, but it seems like it is not going to turn the engine over, just a very slow, wa....wa...wa

Electric motors and batteries can 'go down' in Winter months - as we do. Could be a weak/drying starter, or oval oilite bush.

He said he has changed the bush ^^^
I am going with a bad engine earth now!

Does it tick over and run ok once started?

Fixed....
A big thank you to Mark @ M&j service.
The timing was incorrectly set up on the new engine.