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FlutherMe's avatar

Mechanic Question: 96 VW Golf NO SPARK!

Asked by FlutherMe (335points) February 2nd, 2010

Ok I have a 96 GOLF GL that dosen’t start. I first had intermittent spark, now I get no spark at all (only a small quick spark when the key is first turned to ON).

I installed a new Cam sensor (distributor), and new coil. I also unplugged the alarm, none of this helped.

I was about to install the crank sensor, but I noticed some very wierd voltage readings. On two pins of the unplugged harness (power I assume w\ the red wire, and the center pin) I was getting 1.9 Volts to ground. I thought a crank sensor power line was suposed to be +12V?? I checked the signal pin to the CAM sensor unplugged harness(middle) and I noticed that it had voltage at all time. I thought a hall sensor signal wire would never be hot, as it receives a signal generated by a hall sensor, not creates on itself. My coil signal wire (middle) also had voltage to ground. Is this wierd?

I am also not getting codes when I do things such as unplug the coil.

Things are starting to point to the PCM to me.

Any input mechanics??

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7 Answers

phil196662's avatar

not necessarily. I am not the best at this but I remember that the coil pack has 12v in and two wires that go to the crank sensor. the sensor usually has a ground that goes back to the coil base or its ground to ensure they are connected together. the only time anything should have power is when the ign key is in run/start. Do you have a wiring diagram for that car? It’s a pretty simple system- take you time and make sure everything is correct and make sure you look in the plugs and check those connections too- things come loose. .

deni's avatar

I am far from a mechanic but i had a similar sounding problem with my car a few months back. at first there was a bit of a spark and then the next 400 times i tried starting it, there was nothing. i ended up needing a new starter.

hiphiphopflipflapflop's avatar

G*d, I had one of those things. I don’t know how many times the electrical system for the engine needed to be fixed. Almost every year it would pick a rainy Spring day to quit on me completely. I swear the Germans must have bought Lucas.

Scooby's avatar

You have renewed the battery?? :-/ or at least had it tested??

Ruallreb8ters's avatar

@hiphiphopflipflapflop I had and 89 GT that constantly had electric problems too. It randomly wouldn’t start for a few days… than id try it and it would start, no problems, run a few weeks and do the same thimg. I fixed the starter, that didnt help.
@Flutherme would diffenatly have some pros look at it. I had to get rid of mine because it was a money pit

Tropical_Willie's avatar

@FlutherMe

Not an answer but questions, have you checked all the ground leads from engine to frame and are there any kinks or hard bends in the sensor wiring?

FlutherMe's avatar

Yes, and I tested the sensor leads directly to the neg terminal. Still 1.98 Volts. Most cars are getting +10–12. I think my PCM is burning out.

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