Scirocco Register

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?

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

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

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