Hi,

I have a VW Sharan 1.9 TDI 1997
Begining of last year I took car to work but didnt start when I finished. Called a friend & he came & had a look & said it was because the oil was low, he put some in left it a while but still wouldnt start. He said to try tow starting it as this would help the oil get round the engine, it started fine with it being towed. Next day started in morn, took it to work again wouldnt start when I finished. Got my sis down & It jump started 1st time. Now as I couldnt rely on the car & weather was warming up I started using my convertible escort so was left for a few months.
When weather was getting colder I took battery off Sharan to charge, put it back on & after about 20 turns it fired up. I moved car up the drive & the electric windows opened by themselves, central locking not working & when I tried turning off the car the key came out but engine was still running, weird! Managed to stop it & it started again ok.
After researching on internet found out Sharans have common faults of the vent near front window getting blocked, water gets in & goes under passenger seat where the electrics r 4 windows, central locking & alarm. And this was the case, soaked up the water & dried it with hairdryer & heater & the electrics seemed fine again.
The next day the car wont start again, turning over several times but nothin. Took battery off again & charged, but turns over but wont start, tried jump starting but just wont fire up.
The car is a little low on diesel would this make a diffence?
Water & oil is fine
When I turn key the oil light flashes several times, is this suppose to?
And the temperature light comes on as well but car is cold, is this suppose to happen?
Not sure the problem not starting before was because of low oil.

Im really desperate for help, im a female but know a little about cars & love to learn more. I dont wanna pay out for someone to come out & have a look as this will be expensive. I would really love to fix it myself not only cos its cheaper but I enjoy it, but losing my patients at mo.

Any help would be very much appreicated
Thanks
Eve

 

Ive managed to get 2 cans of diesel in.
Tested the glow plugs with a test light and 2 werent working, so changed them all, tested them, all working. Tried to start car, but still just turns over.
Anyone with any ideas what to try next?

 

I'm not familar with this model, but since it is > 10 years old, it might be 1) Starter motor, 2) starter relay switch (if there is one in this model), 3) alternator not charging the battery; in this case, a diagnostic light would show on the dashboard. So, I'm betting on the starter motor since the symptoms sound like every bad starter motor I've had. I think Sears automotive gives inexpensive electrical system diagnostics, and you can find out from that. Your starting problem is not related to oil or diesel levels. with a bad starter, a jumper can help, as it gives a declining starter more amps to move the motor. So, you can get a jumper before driving it to the Sears; and maybe get an aftermarket Starter motor. Good Luck.

Vincent VanGo.

 

Thanks for your reply, the starter motor did go about 2 years ago and got a 2nd hand one & fitted it, I guess as it was 2nd hand I dont know how old it was, so could of gone, I thought as it was turning over it wouldnt be the starter, but I guess I can test it with either a test light or multimeter. Not sure about the starter relay, will have to look into that, have tested a few relays. Ive ruled the alternator out due to the fact that I have had battery off and fully charged it and still doesnt start. I did run a diagnosic test but was told to clear the data then run it again, but nothin came up 2nd time as never got the car to start.

Whats the easiest way to test the starter?

 

There are 4 things that prevent a car from starting/running: Fuel, Spark/Electric, Air, Timing.
The starting system seems to work, so there is no need to check the starting system; I missed that from your first post. To check a starter motor, you need a high-amperage ammeter that clips around the main cable from the battery, which is something that most people don't own. but you don't need to bother with that. The starter motor and associated switches should be OK since a fully charged battery turn over the engine.

The Fuel system is the next place to look. My next guess is look at the fuel filter. Water in the diesel can gum these things up. Filters get blocked easily, and since your car has been through some adverse conditions, it is possible this needs to be changed. These parts are inexpensive, usually easily accessible, and easily changed. So for uncertainty's case, it is worth while to change this.
To change: if the Fuel side of the Fuel filter is connected to a hose; clamp this side off with vise grips, take out the old filter, install the new one, put the hose on hte new one, release the vise-clamp from the hose.
If injectors were clogged, it is unlikely all would be blocked at the same time.
good luck