Car fails to start every 4th or 5th time

[gabsta69]

Hi guys,

My car is a 54reg and has done about 35k, but now all of a sudden it won't start. What I mean by this is that I put the keys in the ignition, turn then all you get is the car trying to start but failing.

This happens every 4th or 5th time I start the engine. I thought it was the sparkplugs so I took them out and cleaned them, but the problem still persists. I am going to change the sparkplugs so some brand new ones are in but now I am thinking it could be the starter motor.

If it was the starter motor the problem would happen everytime surely?

Any suggestions on what it could be would be greatly appreciated.

Oh and one other thing - I need to replace the front headlight bulb - can someone please provide me with a link to a guide on how this is done?

Thanks in advance

Gabsta69

 

[carly]

Hi guys,

My car is a 54reg and has done about 35k, but now all of a sudden it won't start. What I mean by this is that I put the keys in the ignition, turn then all you get is the car trying to start but failing.

This happens every 4th or 5th time I start the engine. I thought it was the sparkplugs so I took them out and cleaned them, but the problem still persists. I am going to change the sparkplugs so some brand new ones are in but now I am thinking it could be the starter motor.

If it was the starter motor the problem would happen everytime surely?

Any suggestions on what it could be would be greatly appreciated.

Oh and one other thing - I need to replace the front headlight bulb - can someone please provide me with a link to a guide on how this is done?

Thanks in advance

Gabsta69

its doing the same as my car . it sounds like your timeingchain has jumped m8 .you have done the same miles as me as well .

 

[SeatIbizaTdi]

Hi guys,

My car is a 54reg and has done about 35k, but now all of a sudden it won't start. What I mean by this is that I put the keys in the ignition, turn then all you get is the car trying to start but failing.

This happens every 4th or 5th time I start the engine. I thought it was the sparkplugs so I took them out and cleaned them, but the problem still persists. I am going to change the sparkplugs so some brand new ones are in but now I am thinking it could be the starter motor.

If it was the starter motor the problem would happen everytime surely?

Any suggestions on what it could be would be greatly appreciated.

Oh and one other thing - I need to replace the front headlight bulb - can someone please provide me with a link to a guide on how this is done?

Thanks in advance

Gabsta69

Is it definitely nothing to do with the immobiliser? Just our car has started giving starting problems and on searching have found the immobiliser connections the most likely problem. Still to attempt to sort though.

There's a few threads that would be worth you looking at. I can't post links just now (need to have 15 posts), but check out these if you have:
forums/showthread.php?t=126727&highlight=immobiliser+fault
forums/showthread.php?t=199145&page=2
forums/showthread.php?t=126727&highlight=immobiliser+fault

May be something else altogether and if so, I'm sure there will be someone here able to help you out.

HTH.

 

[JTD-ED]

dose the car with key flash on the dashboard?

 

[gabsta69]

The car does not show any lights on the dashboard, etc and runs perfectly when it has started.

 

[weelieboots]

did u ever get your problem sorted as my 04 1.2 is doing the same. Had temp sensor fixed, full service and hasnt solved it. It only has 37k on clock so Im baffled.

Performance is stunning so not a coil pack and really dont think its a timing chain.

 

[gabsta69]

Hi wellieboots, no is the short answer. Long answer - problem has been occuring now for over 3 months, whereby 2 weeks will go by without a problem and then i get a bad run where the engine just wont start for 5 minutes. I took it Seat in St Albans and even went to head office who bought down an engineer from head office who couldnt find a problem (because the car was not being problematic)

The advice I was given which goes to show just how shocking Seat can be is to let the problem get so bad that the car wont start at all and get RAC or AA etc to drop it off to them when the car is full faulty.

Its a catch 22 situation becuase Vagcom doesnt come back with any results. Sorry to give such a bad account, but this is just my experience of it so far.

 

[weelieboots]

cheers for that. Mine seems really similar, everythings been checked and ok, no faults on systems. I only got the car a mth ago and this is really getting to me. My only problem is that I cant afford to wait until it doesnt start because my work are really fussy about time off. There must be someone somewhere who can solve it.

Is weird because mine is so intermittent, starts fine sometimes when its really cold then one day it wont then wont start when left for a couple of hours. It tries but just wont catch or when it does after 3/4 turns, its really rough and I need to accelerate to keep going. As soon as I accelerate its fine.
Its almost as if the choke isnt working or theres not enough air/fuel getting in to kick start it. Sound similar?

 

[gabsta69]

My car does exactly the same, we must have the same issue. A friend of mine suggested it was the throttle sensor, but Seat never came back with any conclusive information. Here's hoping there is someone on this forum who can suggest something new.

 

[weelieboots]

Open up to everyone - help!!

I agree. My brother works with BMWs and says it could be the choke clogged or a ditry throttle body. Others have suggested the MAF or a split pipe/pinhole on a pipe but as I dont have a clue about cars rally, I wouldnt even attempt to investigate myself.

Ill update on any progress but if anyone else has any ideas,please add.

 

[weelieboots]

ok, this may be a long shot but I think i may have an answer. My wiring seems very wrong - there is interference of steering/acceleration when the stereo is on, the blowers blow cold turning a corner, lights dim when starting and circulation blower comes on when reversing. Im thinking that someone was messing around with it causing a bad connection. Ive read that bad wiring to/from the alternator can cause starting issues. When my battery was tested, it was fine but I was told that the alternator signal was low until you pressed the accelerator. My theory is that the wiring is screwed, causing an incorrect/weak signal to be sent to the alternator hence a bad start.

Sound plausible? Gonna get it check in the next couple of weeks.

p.s I still have coolant running low every week tho with no signs of a leak - no idea there!!!

 

[gabsta69]

That does sound plausible, i've asked my mate who is a car ethusiast and he does aggree there could be some weight to this. I'll look at it on my end.

I think the problem in my car started happening for me when the lambda sensor was replaced by Seat. I have asked them if this problem is associated with this but they say it wasn't however, I am wandering if they messed around with the electrics when they changed the sensor?

 

[weelieboots]

Got my car sorted today, they checked the wiring and re earthed it but turns out its a head gasket - £350 to replace! It had to be specially tested as the only thing that gave it away was running on 2 cylinders on starting

 

[gabsta69]

HI weelieboots, could you tell me what you asked the garage to do to determine it was the head gasket? was it a compression test?

 

[gabsta69]

If weelieboots cannot answer, would someone mind advising if a compression test is what I should be asking for at the garage? my car is getting worse, engine hardly starting, having to pump the accelerator to get any motion of out the car and once I do get it going, a billow of black smoke comes out of the exhaust, then it runs fine! HELP!!!

 

[weelieboots]

heh sorry about the delay, havent been on in a bit. I use mark one autos in ashton-under-lyne and then they send it off to a specialist company. Starts fine now. Im just having other problems now and looking to return to seller on basis of being unreliable.

 

[gabsta69]

did they tell you what type of tests they performed in order to detemine it was the headgasket for that problem? what other problems you having?

 

[weelieboots]

Oh tensioners and belts, a lack of an airbag, horn fault, amongst others - getting into a legal battle with the dealers that sold me it now.

Don't know about tests - they did tell me but cant remember now.

 

[fandyboy]

ok, this may be a long shot but I think i may have an answer. My wiring seems very wrong - there is interference of steering/acceleration when the stereo is on, the blowers blow cold turning a corner, lights dim when starting and circulation blower comes on when reversing. Im thinking that someone was messing around with it causing a bad connection. Ive read that bad wiring to/from the alternator can cause starting issues. When my battery was tested, it was fine but I was told that the alternator signal was low until you pressed the accelerator. My theory is that the wiring is screwed, causing an incorrect/weak signal to be sent to the alternator hence a bad start.

Sound plausible? Gonna get it check in the next couple of weeks.

p.s I still have coolant running low every week tho with no signs of a leak - no idea there!!!

The circulation coming on in reverse is a feature to stop you from choking on exhaust fumes.

 

[ollyrayner]

I would of def thought it was the immobiliser.

If not try cleaning your key with wire wool, can sometimes help