Supercharged

The starter motor should only be engaged when 12V goes down the red/black wire from the ignition switch to the starter solenoid... I'd unplug this 1 pin plug and see what happens, maybe faulty ignition switch.

It was the original owner but unfortunately I think he was ripped off, the paint was very flat and consistent but when I looked at it it was flaking off around the sills especially - looked very thin and not adhered very well :-( I have to say though, since Baz and Clumpy have had it it's really looking superb - was just too much work for me to take on at the time.

You can get DC clamp meters - the AA patrols use them along with a wireless ipad like screen - excellent for diagnostic work, pulling fuses etc

Interesting thread this... I do wonder how long they will continue to paint cars for in the conventional way as it does seem quite old fashioned and in some ways not so durable - especially with the thin water-based stuff used nowadays... I think the main reason the MK2 and Corrado lasted so well was the factory dip in the filler primer, the hard enable like thick coat of paint and the amount of wax they pumped into the body. Annoyingly, as with the MK2's, you found some cars were better than others - I've seen several Corrado's that have not been fully painted underneath...

Love those shots! :-)

Take your car / battery to halfords and get them to test it... proper Bosch tester will show it it's knackered. If you have a trade card buy the Bosch battery with the 5 year warranty - if not then go to VW / TPS - should be cheaper for Varta batteries than the links above if you get a bit of discount.

Maybe not the most ideal thing to do on a VR though - remember the matrix is always in circuit and the cooling system needs it really to get rid or extra heat - you can bypass to get you home etc but I wouldn't keep driving one like this... I'd check the engine bay carefully first, it's it's clean you can usually spot the white staining from the coolant... then drive it for a bit with the vents closed and fan off, when up to temp open them and turn fan on 4 and heater round to hot - do this parked as you may get a sudden mist of coolant vapour in the cabin - this is what mine did and showed a very slight leak into the heater box. When was the matrix last done??? Just thinking it's a '93 car so was maybe done around 2003 and obviously it's 2013 now...

I've got the DVD somewhere...

It goes to the coil under the bulkhead - often suffers from corrosion causing a bad connection

As above it's a non-standard pitch. Some Audi's come with a plastic version of the M14 one http://www.metalnerd.com/cat08.htm

Interested in the seat covers and maybe rear bench to match - have you got pics please?

Awesome - I've completed just over 100k miles now in my PDTDI Corrado, still loves it and it pulls like a train! Be good to hear what engine it is and see some pics of the install?

Yep, buy the proper ones - last a good 10-15 years before looking tatty

Yeah deffo 109 - VW will have this in stock as it's used on so many cars

Hmmm - this is what should happen when the engine is switched off - standard german parking lights. I'm guessing it's a faulty stalk (switch) but I'd also maybe check the indicator relay, fuses, ignition switch, bulbs etc.

Just letting you guys know that I'm featuring in a documentary tonight on Channel 4 - 9PM Hopefully this will raise awareness about my condition and one day they'll find a cure.

Probably a relay and I would think either fuel pump or ECU - have these been changed before?

Hmm - I didn't see the pics of the bushes before... tbh that's the worst I've ever seen one - must have sat for a while! It may well be ok though but I think you should check the bushes actually come out first before spending money on it.

Get it shotblasted / powder coated!

Glad you sorted it Roger! Was it a non-original fuse? - had a few or these melting / going bad with age etc If you can get a load of VW ones next time you're at the dealer or scrap yard.

Mate - glad you are ok (and your family) Good advice above, stick to your guns and take them to the cleaners - you shouldn't be out of pocket in any way!

Something's wrong as they should run really clean being supercharged... Does the oil smell of fuel? - if so change it and get the lambda checked out. How quick does it feel?? could just need setting up Clive Attowe in Norwich is a good place to go for diags / tuning etc

I doubt this is anything to do with the X-relief... test each Headlight by swapping side to side then it's a case of just checking for 12V on the headlight plug connectors with the beams on

I think you're right with a bad main beam connection - you can test further but trying each plug individually and also swapping the headlamps from side to side to test.. as Henny says, get the multmeter out and you'll find the issue!

AA every time for me - much better service and have access to better kit / better trained technicians etc - just annoying they don't do any sort of no claims discount