Urgent help required - car won't start!

fivetide

If it is making noises and attempting to turn the engine over it isn't the starter motor.

If you are mechanically minded you could find a fuel line, pull that off and see if it is getting fuel through (if not it could be the fuel pump)

Otherwise it might well be a fault with the immobiliser etc which is why the spare key was suggested I'm guessing (just in case the main one has gone wonky).

Sounds super daft but is there definately fuel in it? wouldn't be the first time a fuel gauge went wrong!

5t.

LoveChild

fivetide wrote: »

If it is making noises and attempting to turn the engine over it isn't the starter motor.

If you are mechanically minded you could find a fuel line, pull that off and see if it is getting fuel through (if not it could be the fuel pump)

Otherwise it might well be a fault with the immobiliser etc which is why the spare key was suggested I'm guessing (just in case the main one has gone wonky).

Sounds super daft but is there definately fuel in it? wouldn't be the first time a fuel gauge went wrong!

5t.

Thanks for your post.

So you don't think it's the starter motor then? Kind of makes sense I guess as that is presumably what is turning the engine over when I turn the key.

I'm sorry, I don't really have a clue what you mean by pulling a fuel line off. As I said I'm not good with mechanical things. I wouldn't even know where to start. Would I find that pipe by the fuel filler flap?

Definitely petrol in it. I put £20 worth in last night. Fuel gauge is currently showing 1/2 full.

vax2002

Check the receipt and make sure it was not diesel you put in.

LoveChild

vax2002 wrote: »

Check the receipt and make sure it was not diesel you put in.

Well I used the green pump. They only charged me the petrol price and the receipt confirms it was unleaded.

Do you think there may have been a mix up at the pumps and it dispensed diesel anyway? I've read many stories here on MSE about the wrong fuel being put into cars that way.

fivetide

LoveChild wrote: »

Thanks for your post.

So you don't think it's the starter motor then? Kind of makes sense I guess as that is presumably what is turning the engine over when I turn the key.

I'm sorry, I don't really have a clue what you mean by pulling a fuel line off. As I said I'm not good with mechanical things. I wouldn't even know where to start. Would I find that pipe by the fuel filler flap?

Definitely petrol in it. I put £20 worth in last night. Fuel gauge is currently showing 1/2 full.

Either - as Vax says, it has the wrong fuel in or given it is turning over something else has to be stopping it.

Either the plugs are not sparking or the fuel isn't gettign through. The fuel line will be under the engine, I'm afraid I can't direct you to it but I'd put a bet on the RAC man taking it off first to check that fuel is coming through.

If there is fuel then you are back to spark.

That could be a number of electrical items from a screwed up immobiliser to an issue with the coil packs. what engine is in it? There might be a common fault to look at.

Also worth looking out VW owners forums and asking/checking there in case anyone has had a similar issue.

5t.

neilmcl

Do you have any engine warning lights displayed?

LoveChild

neilmcl wrote: »

Do you have any engine warning lights displayed?

When I first turn on the ignition, all the warning lights come on.
Then after a couple of seconds most go off, leaving just a couple on e.g. the ignition and the engine oil one.
That's how it always has worked.

They don't go off as I can't get the engine to start.

hewhoisnotintheknow

low pressure fuel pump or immobisliser

LoveChild

vax2002 wrote: »

Try the spare key !
Dont think, just try it.

LoveChild wrote: »

Thank you for your advice.
I've tried the spare key and that doesn't start the car either.
My neighbour has a golf too, Do you think I should ask to try theirs?

Just to let you know, my neighbour with the Golf came round as he saw me struggling.

He's stumped as to why it doen't start too.

I did ask to try his key. He said it wouldn't work but I insisted.
He was right. The car won't even turn over with his key. Infact I can't even turn the ignition.

hewhoisnotintheknow

LoveChild wrote: »

Just to let you know, my neighbour with the Golf came round as he saw me struggling.

He's stumped as to why it doen't start too.

I did ask to try his key. He said it wouldn't work but I insisted.
He was right. The car won't even turn over with his key. Infact I can't even turn the ignition.

thats because its a key for a different car, the mechanical key and the immobiliser will be different