16vrixter

That's another one back on the road :D :D :D

hey saysomestuff I have just noticed you've been editting the photos......thanks! :D :D

Thanks Mattkh. and thanks for all the advice from the forum. I'm the happiest keepin' my Rado on the road........... :D

It wasnt the ignition switch: Ok I got Donaldsons in Clydebank (A garage recommended on here) to pick up the car about 2 weeks ago. They had an auto electrician check it out and he found that ECU was burnt out, most likely caused by the dodgy immobiliser wiring that he also found. Auto electrician is going to see if he can overhaul the ECU and might be back on the road within a week :D Really glad that the end is in sight.........

Had another go and gave it a bit more welly. The new switch did crank the engine over but it didn't start. Maybe the battery is too weak. It was raining heavy so didn't hear the pump prime but could smell petrol. Going back out now the rain is off to see if I can hear pump prime. Will put the battery on trickle charge and try again tommorow.

Hi again. Before I unplugged the old switch, I had a go on the ignition and it did crank the engine over but it didn't fire up. The car has been left standing for three weeks and so the battery won't be in great condition but I left it disconnected hoping it wouldn't discharge too fast. Didn't notice how many positions but I turned the key as far as it would go - about half a revolution. I am staying about 10 miles away from where the car is at the moment - will have another go at turning the switch when I get over there. Might have to get some local mechanics involved as I am too far away in Derby and probably don't have the skills to get the car up and running quick enough. For example, it took me what seemed like ages to fit a new starter motor before, that damn bush :roll: . There is a garage called IN TUNE, in Glasgow, if anyone has used them. They have auto electricians, are just around the corner from where the car is and will also pick up the car for me. Might have to put the front car seat back in first - it's in the boot at the moment :lol:. Removed it as per ignition switch removal instructions. With regard to the hall sender. I remember the AA guy checking voltage to it and he got me to switch on the ignition. I am sure he checked the signal from it as well and said it was ok. Thanks for all your advice and help.

Hi matt. Sorry should have said that the engine didn't turn and fire up but I wasn't sure if it was supposed to without being fully fitted. Just have this picture of the switch and the hole but it doesn't convey how really difficult it is to get to the screw.... I don't have a picture of the old switch located in it's housing.

Drove the 300 miles up to Glasgow in my polo with the new ignition switch for the valver..... Tried testing it by plugging it in without fitting and turning with the end of the key. Would you expect the engine to start? I got a clicking / switching noise from the relay area, is that what you would expect? Trying to remove the small screw that holds the ignition switch in is a real challenge. I think I need to get a jewellery cross head screw driver. I used a 0 (zero) point small screw driver that I previously used to dismantle my laptop with but the shaft :oops: was too thick to fit through the small hole.

Yeah cheers, I'll remember that steering lock...... :)

Yeah I think the part is used in a host of different VWs. Have they revised it to hopefully make it more reliable? Have been led to believe that it should fit the 1990 16v and it is listed in the ignition switch repair part in the knowledge base section of the forum.

Thanks for the posts and info on the fuel supply system. The AA guy already tested the hall sender and said it seemed ok. I think I will try changing the ignition switch first and see how it goes from there. BRAND NEW GENUINE VOLKSWAGEN IGNITION STARTER SWITCH ordered via ebay - VAG part number 6N0 905 865. I live round the corner from a GSF store but I think I read some where on here that the GSF part is inferior compared to the VAG part. Pictures given below for other peoples benefit:

Cheers Steve. I will try the fuse box connection as well. So do you have intermittent starting problems then?

Thanks for the advice. The frayed earth wire has been replaced. I will have a go at replacing the ignition switch. Just out of interest, does the ignition switch affect the fuel supply in some way?

Also, forgot to ask whether you could use a Golf Mk2 1.8 16v Gti ECU in the 1.8 16v Corrado as well? There seems to be more of those on EBAY compared to Corrado ECU.

Yeah, thanks that's a good point Iggi, it could maybe be two different problems. Another problem is I was up in Glasgow when it happened and had to leave the car up there, 300 miles away, as I needed to go back to work. So I have to wait to next weekend until I can have a better look at it again.