MKIV Gti will not turn on

[blkgtimkiv]

Hi everyone...new to the forum. Last night I was going to change out the rotors on the GTi, but when I was going to park it in the garage, it wouldn't turn on at all. It was fine when I was driving home, turned on fine and I didn't have any problems down the road.

The car doesn't turn on at all, the motor will not turn. There isn't any clicking from the starter, that I can hear; I've disconnected the battery and connected it back, the battery is good, the fuses are all good as well as the fuel pump. What is strange is that the power windows, the power locks, and the interior lights will not work either.

Any help here will be greatly appreciated

[blkgtimkiv]

forgot to metion that the GTi has the factory alarm, but the light on the door isnt blinking, indicating the alarm activation.

[Eberger]

What year gti? Also, if the little car with the key (immobilizer) is flashing, you have a problem. Also check all your fuses, if you havent

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[TheMel]

So you're saying that you're not getting any electrical power to the car?

Check the battery cables. One of them has probably severed or corroded apart somewhere.

[dubbincentral]

check for corrison on the terminals, and make sure they are TIGHT. have a buddy turn your key over and see if you can see sparks jumping from the connector to terminal. i had the same problem even though i tightened the piss out of the conectors. is your dash clock on?

[Eberger]

After reading, you have some main power problem, checked battery voltage?
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[blkgtimkiv]

Ooops, sorry for not including that in the psot. 1999 VW GTi MKIV. There is light in the cluster panel, clock, radio, a/c turns on, head lights...all fine. Except that the power locks, windows, and interior lights will not work.

[engineman98]

Your battery is dead or not connected somewhere. Take a voltage reading at the battery. Or just get some jumper cables and jump start your car.

[blkgtimkiv]

Voltage stays above 12v even when attempting to turn on the car

[blkgtimkiv]

When I was checking the voltage, I did hear some wierd buzzing noise coming from under the intake manifold.

[blkgtimkiv]

Is it possible that the factory alarm may be causing this problem?

[engineman98]

Is it possible that the factory alarm may be causing this problem?

What is the voltage at the starter terminal? Also if the factory alarm imobilizer is active your car will crank but not start.

There is no drop on the battery volts at all when attempting to start then something isnt hooked. Is it a manual or automatic?

[blkgtimkiv]

Its a automatic. 12v in the battery. 0.001v on the starter solenoid, this is from the negative battery terminal to the starter post where the battery cable connects.

[engineman98]

You should have a constant 12v at that post. Check your battery cable to the starter. Try to hook up a jumper cable from the battery to the starter post and see if your car starts.

[TheMel]

Wait... The coil (+) side of the solenoid doesn't get power until you turn the key. You should have 12V at the solenoid but on the "hot" side of it.

[blkgtimkiv]

yeah, I did the voltage test on the starter when it was off, then when trying to crank. Cranking gave me the 0.001v reading

[TheMel]

Also, I just re read that. If you're checking from the (-) to where the (+) wire connects from the battery to the starter, you should have voltage there always (I stand corrected and concur with engineman.)

Looks like you've isolated it already. Do what he said. Jump it from the battery to that post then try and start it again. Either your post clamp is corroded or you've a break in the wire somewhere.

[blkgtimkiv]

I jumped the starter to the battery and all it does it whir.

[TheMel]

No. From the (+) post on the battery to the exact termnal the cable is connected to on the starter. Basically what you're trying to accomplish is taking the cable out of the picture by jumping it out, not bypassing it completely. After making the connection nothing should happen until you go back into the car and turn the key.

Don't literally try and start the car from under the hood unless you really know what you're doing.

[blkgtimkiv]

Took the starter cable from the battery out and in its place put the jumper cable, still didnt start.

[TheMel]

Ok. What I do know is that your problem is in that area. Make sure you check the relay and associated wiring

Also, your battery is always going to show 12vdc. What matters is the amperage. Your battery may still be bad

[VR6JTILUV]

weird question but have you taken the key apart latley? it could need to be re set to the car if it has an immobalizer

[TheMel]

weird question but have you taken the key apart latley? it could need to be re set to the car if it has an immobalizer

This sooo isn't a weird question

[RDIRTYTOO]

op u said your cars an automatic? if so you need to check the nuetral safety switch in the trans ...thats most likely your problem on mk4 i dont know where component location is but maybe someoone can chime in.....if you have a vag-com this most likely will pull up on a scan but basically whats happen is that switch is telling your car it in gear so it will not allow the car to start...

[.Ant]

op u said your cars an automatic? if so you need to check the nuetral safety switch in the trans ...thats most likely your problem on mk4 i dont know where component location is but maybe someoone can chime in.....if you have a vag-com this most likely will pull up on a scan but basically whats happen is that switch is telling your car it in gear so it will not allow the car to start...

I have the wiring diagram at home. When I get back I'll post it.

[.Ant]

[RDIRTYTOO]

i think he said his car was a automatic so he be looking for the park neutral switch

[.Ant]

i think he said his car was a automatic so he be looking for the park neutral switch

Both should be on the diagram. Usually it gives dashed lines for auto only wiring.

[RDIRTYTOO]

Both should be on the diagram. Usually it gives dashed lines for auto only wiring.

[the mad conductor]