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1998 beetle won't start

9500 Views 18 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Seatman, 
A
I am new to the forum and I have been working on my beetle for a few weeks. The problem started with my son driving the car with a check battery light on. (error #1)After it stopped running, he had it jump started by one of his friends (error #2). I towed it home and charged the battery, which seems to hold a charge, but the car would not start after that. It does crank and seems ready to start, but then doesnt. Assuming an electrical issue, I plugged in my VCDS, but get no error codes. The glow plug light comes on briefly, but it is warm here in NC, so that is no surprise. I did replace relay 109, but no luck. I do get fuel at injectors with connector cracked, shutter valve is open, MAF reading is high without the engine running, but no difference with MAF plugged in or not. Engine speed sensor tests normal at connector and when cranking, the VCDS displays normal cranking engine speed. Throttle position sensor displays correct position with the VCDS running. What haven't I checked? Where to go from here?
Thanks for any help.

Don
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chittychittybangbang
Fuel, compression, and air. It is most likely not compression or air.

Can you see injection timing through VCDS engine measuring blocks? I've never tried this on an engine that wouldn't start but it's possible the fuel is being injected at the wrong time and causing the no start. Also, since this is a technical thread beyond an intro, moved to mk4 section,.
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chittychittybangbang
Put the engine to TDC and check a few things: is the timing belt tensioner about right? The dash will move with age and temperature. If it's slightly off, don't adjust it.

Is the camshaft slot about horizontal? Is the injection pump hole about where it should be? This is just a quick check for timing. See the timing belt writuep in FAQ for more.
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chittychittybangbang
Well, the good news is that your 98 doesn't have an immobilizer so if you can find some place to swap it, to test it, it is plug-play. It could be broken wiring or corrosion.
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