Mk4 golf starting and running issue
 

Hi all,

Hope someone can help me with this frustrating issue.

I have a mk4 year 2000, 1.8 petrol golf. All good EXCEPT.....

Most of the time the car starts with no issues at all. Randomly the ignition is turned and it will kick over and over and over until after 5-10 seconds it will start but it's all off time and can stall until such time as it decides it's all good again and becomes fine??? Oh and when it does start it kicks out a good deal of
Smoke. (it doesn't do any of this when it does start normally)

Also it is RIDICULOUSLY thirsty. Really poor mpg!!

I have had the throttle and sensors cleaned and on the diag machine there are no faults.

A mechanic has guaranteed me its a problem with connections on the ecu? He told me to take out the ecu connectors under the windscreen wiper area and check for 'green' or rusted parts???

Anyone any ideas???

Thanks. Kris

Oh and very occasionally it will get to the point where the battery is virtually dead from trying to start it. Finally, if left, it will go.

Welcome to the forum Kris. Attachment 3341

Which diag machine did he use, VAG-COM or something else?

They do suffer from bad electrical connections water in the ecu connections so its just a long process checking and cleaning each one.

Thanks for the reply. I can't seem to get the ecu out! It's pretty difficult. Could this be a reason for the car having excess fuel on starting hence the non starting and eventually the kick out of smoke from too much?? What I'm asking is does the ecu control this?

K