2 replies to this topic

[ollie1405]

Hi can anybody give me some useful advice with my MK1 Diesel Galaxy.

A couple of weeks ago my galaxy stopped starting first time on cold mornings and took a few attempts to start. It was turning over slower than normal so i replaced the battery. After replacing the battery it still failed to start on the first few attempts, and when it did start the car was engulfed in a cloud of smoke. Then one morning it was particularly bad and i burnt the starter motor out trying to start it.

The garage has replaced the starter motor and the glow plugs and said there was still a problem with the glow plug relay not energising. They replaced a temperature sensor, but it still would not work correctly. They said it was the engine management and i would have to take it to a main deal, so they installed a push button under the steering column to operate the glow plugs. They also said i would have to get the fuel pump and injectors looked at at the cost of £1000.

Having got it home, the following morning it's almost as bad as ever and can only reliably start it, by bump starting it. Today it also appears to randomly stop firing while driving at speed and is very smokey until i depress the clutch, let it return to idle speed and then can continue to drive normally.

I'm not sure what to do at the moment as i've just spent over £500 and do not really want to spend the £1000 to get the fuel pump and injectors looked at unless i can help it and i would also still need to get the engine management looked at to get the glow plugs to operate correctly.

Is it likely to be the fuel pump / injectors or possibly another issue with the engine management or something else

Thanks

[Mirez]

Hi Simon, sounds like a faulty relay 109 which is very common. Replacements are about £40 I think or you can take it apart and redo the solder joints if you are handy with a soldering iron

[ollie1405]

HI thanks Mirez for your reply, i changed the 109 relay today, only cost £17 from VW, but i don't think it has resolved the issue. It still didn't start first time and haven't driven it enough yet to see if it has cured the misfiring.

It has been starting easier over the weekend, don't know if this is a result of putting redex in on Friday in an attempt to clean the injectors or may have been slightly milder weather even with the snow or maybe it just felt like starting for once!