Weak starting

[AndyJ]

My '92 Scala seems to be having problems with starting. I'm hoping that it's just the cold but TBH this has been something I've noticed since the summer. When I switch on from cold the engine barely turns over (sounds sluggish as if the battery is flat) before firing up. I replaced the plugs and leads, cleaned the dizzy and rotor and swapped in a new battery. The alternator is putting out a healthy 13.8 V and swapping batteries didn't make any difference so I think I've ruled out the battery. I haven't checked the spark so I'm wondering if I need a new dizzy and rotor or possibly a coil. However, my worry is that the starter motor is giving up the will to live.

Anyone got any ideas on a solution?

[Nate]

check the engine earth. if you've got a volt meter, measure the volt drop from alternator body to battery -ve, then from alternator +ve to battery +ve. both should read 0.0V if it isn't then it needs investigating. most common it a poor earth lead, or a corroded connection on the gearbox

[AndyJ]

Cheers Nate

I'll get on with hunting this problem down this week. Although it looks like I need a new multimeter as mine has finally died (it was nearly 30 years old...) and of course I need to find the earth strap. I know it's on the gearbox somewhere but VW decided to hide everything under the fuel metering and induction gear

[Nate]

check out the uni-T multimeters at maplin. some nice ones for around £20