Hi all,

 

My dad is having some trouble with his Octavia. He has a 2005 car, 2.0 TDI PD DSG. He is experiencing some issues starting the car - the car is currently sat in a garage a lot as he does little mileage (probably 800 miles a year, and I think it has 22,000 on its clock) He has charged the battery today, and went out to test it just now and says that the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth times - the car started without any problems.

 

Here is how he describes it: - "2nd time it didnt turn over just one click followed by nothing light did not dim - nothing happened till i turned ignition off and started again when it started normally - this is how this fault always is ! but today it occured twice on the trot which has never happpemed before and its making me nervous ."

 

It can happen when the car is cold or hot, and can happen anytime. I think he has had this problem for quite some time intermittently but is gradually getting worse.

 

Additionally, when the car is starting normally the click can be heard then too. He describes the click as the same as when the engine does not turn over.

 

The current battery is fairly new and it is good.

Edited 6 October, 201411 yr by g_tee

the engine's not getting used as much as it should be for a 2.0 PD.

Sounds like a problem with the starter relay or the starter itself. When he turns the key a low current operates the relay which provides the high current path from the battery to the starter motor. You could also trace the thick wire from the starter motor and any earth straps to make sure the connectors are not corroded or loose.

the engine's not getting used as much as it should be for a 2.0 PD.

 

Appreciated, but the only solution for this is a new car and thats a bit overkill...

Edited 6 October, 201411 yr by g_tee

Why is the only solution a new car? Just because there is a problem? I agree with Littleade, sounds like you need to take the car to a mechanic and get the starter looked at. It doesn't have to be expensive.

g_tee means the only solution to it being not used enough for a tdi would be to replace it.

You'd probably have some trouble with any car only doing 800 miles a year. A petrol would choke up, foul spark plugs, rot exhaust back boxes etc.

Get this problem sorted and I'm sure it will be ok.

As stated earlier it will need the starter motor and relay testing when the fault occurs. You might find if it had a decent run and got properly warmed up then the fault may not occur again for a while.

Also being dsg, there could be a problem related to the gear lever position switch. Does the fault occur when starting it in N or P or both ?

Edited 7 October, 201411 yr by classic

On the positive side at only 800 miles per year it's going to take a good 30 or 40 years before the turbo vanes clog up!

A bit similar to my late grandads car, the old mot certificates showed that one year the only mileage it had covered was to and from the mot test.

At only 800 miles a year, a taxi would be cheaper, especially if he came to some arrangement.