Diagnose a friend's problem (Mk3 Golf)

eidolon · 11 Jan 2010 at 14:21

Friend just asked me to have a look at her car.

You turn the key and it starts but as soon as you let the key return to it's normal position the car cuts out. If you keep the key turned the car idles fine (when the starter motor would normally be screaming)

You can't even start the car and give it some revs to keep it going.

Any ideas?

Clarkey · 11 Jan 2010 at 14:27

ignition barrel gone?

eidolon · 11 Jan 2010 at 14:43

That was my thought too, just wanted to check in case I'd missed anything obvious.

Matt82 · 11 Jan 2010 at 15:15

on those mk3s, if the immobiliser is upset you get a symptom where the engine will turn, it will fire and then it rill run for about 1 second and no matter what you do it will cut out

vagcom will tell you what the immobiliser has been doing