Mk7 GTi - Starter Problems > Resolved...finally!

[128kw]

Hi everyone,

Its been while...

So I got a 2016 Golf 7 GTi DSG recently, its now on about 69xxxKM. FSH and Service Plan until 90000km, Factory Warranty ends today actually but have an extended Warranty with Innovation Group.

Developed an issue last week with the start-stop system.
Happened during the morning drive to work, came to a stop and the system engaged. Lifted my foot off the brake and it doesn’t start, get the message on MFD says start car manually. No error showing for the start-stop system. Move to P, press the button and its struggles to start a bit but eventually does. Continue driving and the next few times the start-stop system engages and disengages. Then it did it again, this time it struggled alot more to start manually and eventually did. There was also a time when it made a weird (for the lack of a better description) “cluck” sound before it started again.

Car was fine for the drive home...booked in at VW Bryanston on Thursday and on the way there it did it twice. Car was scanned a the fault was picked up...the battery was charged and I was told to test...on the way home on Thursday again on two occasions it engages and then does not disengage when I lift off the brake pedal and struggles to start manually but eventually does.

Took it back Friday and on the way to VW it did it throughout the drive and through up the error on MFD after a few times.

Starting the car initially also makes that weird “cluck” noise before it starts.

Electronics running at the time of issue: lights+fogs, heater with fan on speed 1, drivers heated seat on 1 and radio. The first handful of times the start-stop system engages and disengages is fine and thereafter the issue occurs.

Another bit of history on the car - its had 2 x battery replacements in its 3yr existence and the onboard power supply unit was also replaced. Also the previous owner logged a number of road side assistance calls for flat battery.

Anyone else experience this type if issue with their start-stop systems, if so what was the outcome/resolution?

Car is still at VW they have logged a technical query with VWSA, they were told to charge the battery again and test.

Thanks

[chucker02]

9 out of 10 times it is caused by a worn down battery but the other time its almost always the battery sensor that is causing issues.

[panic-mechanic]

Put in a new battery. Disable startbstop everytime you get in the car. Live a happy life.

[amstel18]

First thing I do when I start mine is disable the start//stop. It irritates the cr@p out of me.

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[Ghostfacekilla]

I drive a 2019 Gti and find the Start Stop to be very lazy and abit lost, when compared to my previous experiences with start stop in my BMW and Volvo, there is a sensor in the VW sign in the front grill that determines when the car in front pulls off, then the start stop starts the car preparing for pull away, when in heavy traffic the start stop gets so confused with the car constantly stopping in front of you, it then requires you to put the car back into park and start manually. Best thing to do deactivate the start stop and enjoy a stress free trip.

[jimbogp]

I drive a 2019 Gti and find the Start Stop to be very lazy and abit lost, when compared to my previous experiences with start stop in my BMW and Volvo, there is a sensor in the VW sign in the front grill that determines when the car in front pulls off, then the start stop starts the car preparing for pull away, when in heavy traffic the start stop gets so confused with the car constantly stopping in front of you, it then requires you to put the car back into park and start manually. Best thing to do deactivate the start stop and enjoy a stress free trip.

Can the stop start not be Permanently disabled Via VCDS ??

Instead of having to manually deactivate it each time?

[Gbvl]

I permanently disabled mine with the OBDeleven app.

[THANAS]

Disable it, it's a complete gimmick, a DMF/Starter/Battery killing gimmick.

[panic-mechanic]

Some can be switch off with vcds and some can't. You'll have to try and see.

[sbu.mah]

I permanently disabled mine with the OBDeleven app.

The control unit was updated to defeat that. So you cannot disable it, mostly on 2017+ models

I tried on mine with Obdeleven and failed but worked on my buddy's 2016. So I just deactivate it all the time

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[128kw]

VW suspecting the starter...still troubleshooting.

They ruling out the battery as the issue.

[128kw]

Update:

Starter has now completed failed, car still at VW. Awaiting part delivery

[128kw]

Resolved:

Starter replaced, earth connection on the starter deteriorated which caused the issue.

Battery is fine doesn’t need replacing.

[panic-mechanic]

so now just keepfollowing the advise to disable it each time you start the car

[Brenz95]

Maybe permanently disable it via vcds

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[Kavi4GP]

You year model can have it deactivated permanently, it's a good idea to keep it off.

Sent from my CPH1717 using Tapatalk

[128kw]

Ok guys I spoke too soon...continuation of start-stop issues plus some new ones!

Here's the latest...I picked up the car Friday morning used it Friday and Saturday until about midday all was good.
Car was parked from Saturday midday until late Monday evening...when I went to start the car starter was clicking for about 3-5 sec and then the car started. I let it idle for a bit and then switched off and started again...it started up normal. Drove the car no issues thereafter.

Yesterday morning started in the AM drove to work - no issues. Late morning made a trip on the highway and on the way back got the error for the start-stop system again. On two occasions when it engaged and I lifted my foot off the brake pedal the car did not start - I pressed the accelerator, it took a second to "think" and then started.

Got back to work and parked, idled for a minute of two and then switched off...tried to start the car and again the starter made the clicking noise and then it started.

Switched it off and tried to start - nothing happens - ignition switches on - cluster on, lights on, radio on...but no start not even a noise from the starter. Did this a few times.

Then I kept my foot on the brake, pushed the button and just waited...after about 20sec or so starter made the clicking noises and it started but died immediately...I switched off and tried it again and it started...drove straight to VW to go see the guy who worked on the car last.

Got to VW he started the car and he said it doesn't sound "normal" when it started. So he scanned it and it now picked up a starter relay error...so he swopped the two starter relays with the fuel pump relay and hooter relay - he tested and said it started every time. He said if the hooter starts acting up or if the car is swinging but not starting then we know its a faulty relay...I got it in the car started, I switched off and started again and back to the "clicking"...so he took it back into the workshop...checked and cleaned the fuses/fuses strip checked all connections to make sure they are tight etc.

Then after all of this another issue pops up...when car is idling the rev counter goes up on its own to about 1200/1300rpm and stays there

So after spending two hours at VW...he says he wants to replace the wire/cable that runs from the battery/fuse box to the starter - ordered it hopefully it will be there today.

Driving home and I switch to the car menu > start-stop and want to see what info it provides...it shows that start-stop is not available because: "Engine must be running" yet I am driving then as I continue driving it shows "start-stop system is available" and keeps switching between these two...But as I come to stop it shows "Engine must be running". Then sometimes it will engage but it does disengage thereafter in a normal manner.

Get home car is idling wanted to see if that's still an issue and it was...but got worse...it was now revving up to 1200/1300rpm and bouncing up to 1500rpm and back down to 1200/1300rpm.

Left it for a while and then just decided to check the battery terminals...positive and negative had about 1.5 - 2 turns on each nut - whether this makes any difference I don't know.

I've got some pics and videos that I took of all of this will try and upload a bit later.

Yes guys I know (panic-mechanic) - disable the feature completely...don't START with me

[Neuk]

Some can be switch off with vcds and some can't. You'll have to try and see.

I did this with mine, well @Senna did it for me, one of the best VCDS changes done to my car.

[128kw]

Ok guys I spoke too soon...continuation of start-stop issues plus some new ones!

Here's the latest...I picked up the car Friday morning used it Friday and Saturday until about midday all was good.
Car was parked from Saturday midday until late Monday evening...when I went to start the car starter was clicking for about 3-5 sec and then the car started. I let it idle for a bit and then switched off and started again...it started up normal. Drove the car no issues thereafter.

Yesterday morning started in the AM drove to work - no issues. Late morning made a trip on the highway and on the way back got the error for the start-stop system again. On two occasions when it engaged and I lifted my foot off the brake pedal the car did not start - I pressed the accelerator, it took a second to "think" and then started.

Got back to work and parked, idled for a minute of two and then switched off...tried to start the car and again the starter made the clicking noise and then it started.

Switched it off and tried to start - nothing happens - ignition switches on - cluster on, lights on, radio on...but no start not even a noise from the starter. Did this a few times.

Then I kept my foot on the brake, pushed the button and just waited...after about 20sec or so starter made the clicking noises and it started but died immediately...I switched off and tried it again and it started...drove straight to VW to go see the guy who worked on the car last.

Got to VW he started the car and he said it doesn't sound "normal" when it started. So he scanned it and it now picked up a starter relay error...so he swopped the two starter relays with the fuel pump relay and hooter relay - he tested and said it started every time. He said if the hooter starts acting up or if the car is swinging but not starting then we know its a faulty relay...I got it in the car started, I switched off and started again and back to the "clicking"...so he took it back into the workshop...checked and cleaned the fuses/fuses strip checked all connections to make sure they are tight etc.

Then after all of this another issue pops up...when car is idling the rev counter goes up on its own to about 1200/1300rpm and stays there

So after spending two hours at VW...he says he wants to replace the wire/cable that runs from the battery/fuse box to the starter - ordered it hopefully it will be there today.

Driving home and I switch to the car menu > start-stop and want to see what info it provides...it shows that start-stop is not available because: "Engine must be running" yet I am driving then as I continue driving it shows "start-stop system is available" and keeps switching between these two...But as I come to stop it shows "Engine must be running". Then sometimes it will engage but it does disengage thereafter in a normal manner.

Get home car is idling wanted to see if that's still an issue and it was...but got worse...it was now revving up to 1200/1300rpm and bouncing up to 1500rpm and back down to 1200/1300rpm.

Left it for a while and then just decided to check the battery terminals...positive and negative had about 1.5 - 2 turns on each nut - whether this makes any difference I don't know.

I've got some pics and videos that I took of all of this will try and upload a bit later.

Yes guys I know (panic-mechanic) - disable the feature completely...don't START with me

Seems like that was the difference...since tightening both terminals all of the above issues stopped.

[128kw]

Just as I was starting to not be on edge whenever i needed to start the car...the “clicking” issue is back

Video: https://youtu.be/HwS7PjnmGWw

Sometimes I have to keep the start button in before it does anything and then its like in the video “clicking clicking clicking” and eventually it starts.

All other electronics work fine.

Going back VW Bryanston on Monday...

[128kw]

Johan at VW Bryanston found the culprit causing all of this...previous owners tracking unit causing issues between the starter relays. Device removed and its all good.

[AvesshenG]

By any chance, what Tracking company was the device from , I'm having some weird Electrical issues on my G7 .
Do you know where and how exactly was the tracking device connected to the relay ?