Hi all, I have a starting issue with my 52 plate Octavia VRS and I was wondering if anyone can assist me tracking it down. Basically the car clicks when the key is turned over and that's it.

 

The problem appears to be seen when I haven't driven it for a couple of days. So it may start first time on a Friday, but if I don't drive it over the weekend, come Monday, it takes a lot of attempts to get it going both before and after work. Tuesday to Friday I may get the odd occasion I need to try twice but usually it fires first time. The number of attempt required to start it has recently increased dramatically and it is verging on being a non starter altogether.

 

I have previously had a similar issue which appeared to be resolved when changing the starter motor. However the starter does not labour when it actually kicks in, and having already put 2 on, one new cheapo version from eBay that died after a few weeks, and now one pulled from another 1.8T that has been on there about a year, I am assuming that there is some other, or underlying, problem. 

 

Other info

• New battery
• New crank sensor - it was also cutting out at one point, this solved that.
• No codes - I occasionally get MAF codes being thrown, but not had any for a fair while and none recently.
• Disconnecting MAF makes no difference
• When it runs it runs fine despite the 145K on the clock
• Tried re-seating battery (with and without housing) in case it is a ground issue

The only other thing I have noticed is that the tb is making strange whining noises. I can hear it trying to set itself, but during and, for a fair while after that you also get what sounds like a dying alarm coming from it (disconnected - no noise, connected noise - tried this a few times to make sure) is this normal?

 

Help much appreciated.

 

Sorry to bump, but the Mrs is telling me I have to get rid of it    ... hence I need to get this starting reliably so I don't have to steal her car.

 

Anything obvious I have missed?

Tell the Mrs the VRS stays, gather your nuts! Sorry mate mechanically I can't help much with this one I'm afraid.

She actually likes the car, but if it doesn't move it isn't much good. I had an S3 in bits on the drive for 5 years and I think she is worried the same might happen again!

Thinking about it it sounds like a wiring issue. It's doing what it does when you have a dead battery, as your batteries new I'd be thinking low current or intermittent earthing somewhere. Could be worth paying a mobile auto electrician for some of his time.

If you can hear your tb doing weird things I'd get it reset with vag com, could be someone local to you on here willing to help. Where are you? Hopefully resetting would make that issue go away. Don't think that's linked to your starter motor not engaging mind.

It does sound electrical, but all my tests seem to show the circuits are good. Ordered another starter today, so hopefully that will resolve it.

Hmmm fingers crossed for you.

Well, another starter seems to have done the trick (again).

Will keep the fingers crossed!