Why won't my 91 VW Golf start?

Question

It's German spec with a 1.8i engine (I think), I changed the alternator, belts, sparks plugs, spark plug wires, distributor cap, and water pump. Now when I try to start it it tries but the engine won't turn over. What else could it be? Yes there is a full tank of gas in it and the battery is new. Any ideas? I am not the best with cars.

Answer 1

have you checked the fuses? and have you used a voltmeter on all electrical connections with key in and on? without? and also have you checked the starter, they all can get stuck leaving no power to flywheel, try hitting it (starter motor) firmly with small to medium hammer and also check (again with voltmeter 20volt dc setting) the solenoid at/within starter it will be smaller cylinder attached to starter motor. the starter can be bench tested at almost any shop (pep boys etc..) before purchasing a new one w/or w/out exchange. also the wire lead from battery to ignition (key) switch to starter could be broken, destroyed etc. even ungrounded. Make sure all connections are secure and ground contact is to bare metal. Have the voltage regulator even if in alternator checked, one short cross wire can easily fry any/all/most of the electrical components (fuses, capacitors,switches, coils, resistors etc...) without showing an obvious sign since these are mostly non moving parts. good luck.
ps- how about the battery, if low or on its last legs it probably isn't strong enough to power the starter, also if replaced make sure again with multi or volt meter that the car will recharge it, volts coming from alternator to positive battery terminal while idling

Answer 2

you confuse me, it tries to start but it wont turn over.you need three things for a motor to run. compression, spark at the right time, and fuel. I think that the 1.8 motor is an interferance motor
which means that if the timing belt is off that the pistons will hit
the valves which will give you the no crank situtation. the valves
could be hitting the pistons and not allowing them to travel up
any higher. have you checked your timing belt to see if it has broken or has it lost some of its cogs. the way i used to check if
it was broken was to pop the dist cap off and see if the rotor rotated when the car was turned over.(the timing belt on vw motors also turned a separat shaft on the side of the motor for the dist. as well as the oil pump) these belts required maintance
and needed to be replaced before they broke

Answer 3

in basic terms which you're conscious what "turn over" capacity. If each and everything is shifting interior the engine compartment once you turn the main in spite of the indisputable fact that it won't turn over any further once you permit circulate of the main...turnover. If in basic terms the sprint lighting fixtures furniture come on and you will possibly hear a clicking noise that isn't turning over. If it incredibly is the two situations you're having, then it incredibly is maximum probable starter solenoid. Spark plugs in basic terms make the vehicle run(the two sturdy or undesirable - undesirable interior the way that it may backfire, or consumes various gas, or in basic terms would not look to have the %. up and circulate it as quickly as did, or initiate on the 1st 0.5 turn of the starter). you're having a difficulty of it no longer turning over each and every from time to time if I understand you and that's the two a starter solenoid or a bad battery connection or a bad battery.

Answer 4

i dunno what its called, but its responsible for the sparks, not the spark plugs, or the distributor, but something that was attacehed to the other side of the bonnet. its a coil, somethuign with a coil, see if that's burnt out, it did on my 93 golf, and had to replace it, i know its not the most descriptive answer,

Answer 5

ignition,coil,dist pick up