Re: [T3] Newbie--Car Won't Start

[Greg Merritt <gregm@vwtype3.org>]

<x-flowed>At 7:59 AM +0000 5/19/03, redyouth@juno.com wrote:

> got the car, I knew nothing about cars.  Since then I have learned
> quite a bit from John Muir's "How to Keep Your VW Alive."


	Ok -- that's a good start.  More thoughts on Muir below.

> replaced the coil
> I change the SP wires
> I then got some injector, etc., cleaner
> I changed the electronic FP
> I also had the starter and solenoid replaced

	I have a general piece of advice here.  Most all of these 
things can be tested to determine whether they're good or bad before 
you spend the money to replace them.  Unless you have lots of spare 
cash, you will become unhappy very quickly with this approach.

	Muir is a *great* place to start.  You'll want to go through 
his procedures from top to bottom for an engine not starting.  He'll 
have you go through checking the charging, ignition and fuel systems, 
as I recall.

	However, while it's a great place to start, Muir is not the 
final word.  You're best off with a Bentley manual, and the Haynes 
manual is a good second.

> So, basically, that is where I am.  The noise is a little different:
> turns, slows and chugs, turns, slows and chugs, sounds like it is
> about to start, etc., in no particular order.  Besides the two


	I'm still suspicious that the battery may not be fully 
charged.  You may have drained it again, I suppose.

	I really suggest that you take it from the top, and evaluate 
everything carefully.  Make sure you get your hands on (buy/borrow) 
the tools you need to do testing; they will quickly pay for 
themselves in money saved, since they'll keep you from buying 
replacement parts based on guesswork.

	Stick to it... have another long read in your Muir, and send 
more questions to the list!

-Greg

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