Car won't start - again! :-(

[dan_a 1]

Hi all,

Hoping once again for some advice from the good guru's out there.

My VR6 won't start. It fires up but then dies straight away. It has done this for a few weeks but has always started on the second or third attempt. However this morning it took a good 6-7 attempts but did start but now won't start at all?

Any ideas peeps?

[spadam 7]

Coolant temp sensor ?

[dan_a 1]

Coolant temp sensor ?

Really? How would this stop the car starting? I'll check the connections though - what colour is it?

Thanks for the prompt reply!

[russj249 2]

When you say starts up but cuts out straight away.. how long is this for? Does it start for about a second then cut out every time or does it vary, and what happens if you start it with a bit of accelerator?

Are you using the original key?

[spadam 7]

Its blue sensor on front of block. When it goes it gives false readings to the ecu and can prevent the correct amount of fuel to be injected thus causing starting problems. get it on vagcom

[dan_a 1]

When you say starts up but cuts out straight away.. how long is this for? Does it start for about a second then cut out every time or does it vary' date=' and what happens if you start it with a bit of accelerator?

Are you using the original key?

[/quote']

It's seemingly fires and then the revs just drop off, no idle, nothing. Makes no difference with or without throttle. And yes I am using a the original key. It has a button on it?

Reading some other posts and forums suggests it could be the immobiliser. I have an aftermarket Laserline alarm system but is there also a factory fitted system? Is that related to the button on the key? Does it have a battery?

[russj249 2]

A standard immobilizer will start the car for a second, then die very fast and cut out.. also if you were to start it with foot to the floor, it would rev up freely, but again would cut out after 1 second.

[cbmotorsport 0]

If its running for one second then cutting out. Sounds like immobiliser fault. Try get it on vagcom and look for the fault " engine start blocked by immobiliser"

[Ian_rogers 0]

Could be the ignition switch also, had a similar problem n new switch fixed it

[spadam 7]

Edited double post

[filtee 0]

Could it not be the maf? Or lambda?

[dan_a 1]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

The starting is still very intermittent. Have a friend coming to vagcom in the morning so will see what that throw's up. I'm more and more convinced it's the ignition switch as it's a common issue and having searched this and other forums my symptoms match those of others that have suffered the same. I hope in some ways it is the switch as it's an easy fix and even my main stealer quoted under £100 to replace.

Will keep you posted on progress!

[dan_a 1]

Hello!

Right, had the ignition switch replaced and so far so good. Only picked the car up last night so early days yet and will 'test' over the weekend but hopefully it's sorted.

One question, the scan revealed a couple of ABS sensor faults (no surprise) but also a short to the 'charcoal filter solenoid'. What is this? Any ideas?

Cheers, Dan

[cbmotorsport 0]

charcoal filter solenoid is the valve on the left hand side of the engine bay underneath the air intake, basically it has a feed from the fuel tank, through a charcoal filter and into the inlet manifold under certain running conditions ( is an emissions related thing) the feed from the fuel tank doesnt supply neat fuel, it is for the fuel vapour in the tank.