20 Most Recent 1985 Volkswagen Golf Questions & Answers

I take it you don't have access to a test light? No being sarcastic, but if no color can be confirmed, for $5.00 at autoparts store or hardware store, it will help you find it, and certainly come in handy in future.

Make sure your cam timing is correct, then maybe your idle jet is blocked, then also after all that then check your ignition timing.

This is a simple engine to work on. Check for compression in the dead cylinder. If low or none, you found your problem....likely burnt exhaust valve. If compression good, check injector for fuel spay or fuel delivery head for fuel delivery. With engine idling, crack each line nut at the fuel distributor and see if any fuel squirts out. If so, check spark delivery by pulling lead to dead cylinder and install used/spare spark plug into plug lead. lay this against engine and run engine watching for spark at plug tip. Do not touch the plug or wire while engine running. If no spark, check distributor cap for cracks inside. The electronics are primative on these so the above should get you close to the reason cylinder is not firing.

HAVE U TESTED YOUR IGNITION

If you'd said 1st and reverse I would have said clutch. First check your gear sgift rod for aligbnment. If it is out when you push the gear lever left to engage 1st your selector might be somewhere between 1st and 2nd. Next check all the linkage bushes for wear. Those also cause misalignment. Last thing to check is the gearbox itself for synchromesh damage.

Here is a LINK to the video the job.

check the crank position sensor, if you get nothing out of it you will have no spark at all.

how to set valve timing on mk 1 1600 golf

Is power gettin to the fuel pump? Check the fuse and relay.

Sounds like the dimmer switch is bad, if it only works on hight then thats where I would start.

There is a second fuel pump under the car. That one is the main pump. Replace that one as well.

Open the door then remove the plastic cap in the rear edge of the door to locate the retaining screw.
Unscrew that slowly and not all the way. Retaining clip for the door panel should recede enough to remove the panel.

You will need a timing light. Connect it to the No 1 spark plug, run the hot engine at idle speed and adjust the distributor until the timing marks on the front pulley line up with the timing mark in the cam belt cover, This is the basic method. Depending on where you are situated, anti pollution settings come into play and things like Digital idling Stabilisers need to be bypassed, or vacuum pipes need to be disconnected. Also timing points differ and could be anything from 7.5 degrees before top dead center to 3 degrees after top dead center. Engine types and specs are all related to the engine codes which are found either on the engine data plate or stamped on the engine block.

should be about 800 but?' depends on year because if its common rail diesel then its a dealer to reset the software