Hey everyone. I'm trying to figure out if I have the dreaded mk2 instrument cluster fault? It goes into position 1 and 2 fine but position 3 doesn't activate the starter. However if I bump start the car it drives fine. I have had the starter put on the test rig at work (I work for Bosch) and it passed all tests. I have also changed the ignition switch and swapped out the starter relay. Under test conditions on a diagnostic machine my cousin managed to activate the starter relay and everything else fine. 

 

Many thanks for any help in identifying this very annoying fault. 

This doesn't sound like the cluster fault.

Sounds more like your car battery is knackered or there's a frayed cable not allowing the full starter current to pass through to it.  (Starter takes far more current than anything else).

38 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

This doesn't sound like the cluster fault.

Sounds more like your car battery is knackered or there's a frayed cable not allowing the full starter current to pass through to it.  (Starter takes far more current than anything else).

I have tried jump Starting it and also swapping out a known battery. I've also cleaned up the terminals for the battery. I'm at a loss now. 

I would agree with Tom here thinking it was a electrical fault.

Also make sure that the key is not worn or the ignition wires ect are all not damaged as the immobilizer may give the same symptoms.

Another area to check is the engine bay fuses box for any blown fuses.

 

5 hours ago, sonic113 said:

I would agree with Tom here thinking it was a electrical fault.

Also make sure that the key is not worn or the ignition wires ect are all not damaged as the immobilizer may give the same symptoms.

Another area to check is the engine bay fuses box for any blown fuses.

 

Thanks, yeah I have checked all fuses are fine. Would an immobiliser fault not prevent it from being bump started? 

4 hours ago, ChrisC1982 said:

Thanks, yeah I have checked all fuses are fine. Would an immobiliser fault not prevent it from being bump started? 

Yeah an immobilizer fault should prevent it from being bump started but it's worth making sure there is no loose or chaffed wires around the ignition just to rule it out. 

It sounds like there is no power getting to the starter to allow it to turn so I would start at the starter connection and work backwards to make sure all wiring is 100%.

3 hours ago, sonic113 said:

Yeah an immobilizer fault should prevent it from being bump started but it's worth making sure there is no loose or chaffed wires around the ignition just to rule it out. 

It sounds like there is no power getting to the starter to allow it to turn so I would start at the starter connection and work backwards to make sure all wiring is 100%.

Cheers for the suggestions. I'll get back to it and have a good look at the wiring. 

Thanks for all the help guys. Turns out that the test rig didn't find the intermittent short in the solenoid! New starter and she's spot on.