Velocity

Jeff, how'd that autostart Diesel turnout?Shaughn Murley

Install Manager, Dealer Services

Visions Electronics

Red Deer, Alberta

Oh, BTW...... you don't have a tach amplifier for sale do you ??Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Umm, hmmm does it crank and not start or crank start and stall? This is an A4 body TDI golf I assume?Shaughn Murley

Install Manager, Dealer Services

Visions Electronics

Red Deer, Alberta

It attempts to start but never catches. The starter engages, lights turn on & starts, but doesn't keep running. I know this is the typical wrong or no tach scenario, but the system does work when the car stops after it's been driving around. There's nothing wrong with the wiring because it works............. just not after it's sat for any length of time. It's an '86 Golf BTW Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Hi Jeff The Diesel fuel injection system when starting from cold needs the glow plugs to be heated or glow but a petrol fuel injection system has an ECU to calculate the temp of the engine and bring in a 5th injector or change the fuel injector pulse width "inject more fuel" so that is why your coolant temp sensor should be clean and have a good connection....but thats a post for another day. Secondly i aint to keyed up on the remote start system but here goes. I think it is the glow plugs as they usually require you to have the ignition turned until the light on the dash comes on then the glow plug light will go out after roughly 20 seconds. To test if its the glow plugs turn off the alarm and turn the key until the dash lights come on and wait until the glow plug one goes out then turn the ignition off, set the alarm and then try the remote start and see if it works. If the above doesnt work start the car from cold and run it for around 30 seconds "lets the glow plugs heat up" then turn it off and try it again and if it starts. If it does then it has to be something to do with the time the glow plugs take to heat up when the car is started from cold. Hope this helps Cheers Dan   OOOHH wheres that smoke coming from

Ahhh... a 1.6L IDI diesel... whoo hoo. Okay. Here's what I know about these beautiful cars: 1) There's a "cold Start" handle. That little pull out choke thingy to the left of the column. It's entire purpose in life is to advance the mechanical timing of the injector pump to inject a little more fuel, and allow it to keep running when the motor is not up to temp. yet. This may be part of your problem. You generally need to have that sucker pulled out regardless of the time of year. Try pulling it out on the next remote start attempt when the motor is stone cold... 2) As far as glow plugs go... 18 sec won't cut it. There is a glow plug relay inside the car... however, it may be easier to just tie into the glow plugs on the motor itself... be a +ve signal of course. The glow plugs may continue to cycle after the car is started, but I am sure that after the unit sees tach, it ignores the glow input.... I can't remember how AS does it... been over a year since I did one of their units. 3) Tach can be had at the "w" terminal on the back of the alternator.... and that's about the only place to get it. There is another slightly annoying problem you may encounter with this car. The alternator does not charge at idle..... only charges at 1000rpm or above. May be a non issue with the cold start handle pulled out, but, something to watch for. Best of luck.... PM me if you need any other info on this old sweetheart or any other VW diesels (I kinda specialize in VW stuff... we're the only shop in westren MB that'll touch 'em for anything for some strange reason... also helps that I drive a 2004 TDI) Gus Wherever I go, that is where I end up......

Hi Folks I am sure that the power to the plugs does stop after the light goes out and over this side of the pond diesels dont have a lever to assist cold start and as yours does as mentioned by Gus just pull it out when leaving the vehicle and in later when starting it should work. My money is still on the glow plugs and as you have checked the circuit and it is ok then all i can think of is that when started with the key maybe the ignition switch has an extra cable connected that powers another circuit that assists the glowplug circuit Possibly a temperature sensor or stop valve. Had a look around but could find out much info but this site below has some info you might find of interest, http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw/engine/glowplugs/glowplugs.html Cheers Dan          OOOHH wheres that smoke coming from