Engine cranking but not starting?

Tiny
SAMLK
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
So car was running very well previously but I had some issues which used to happen only going up a steep hill, I could get a big bang which I think was a misfire. So I could occasionally connect an obd2 scanner and I realized I had fuel pressure regulation outside specifications. I changed the fuel filter and was planning to change the hpfp but I also wanted to check state of the fuel injectors, so I opened up to check on them. When I closed the car, it started revving up and down and I realized I had a leak. So I attempted about 3 times fixing the air leak by trying to close tighter. Every time I finished and tested the car, it could start but could rev. I tried again the 4th time but this time I was putting a new intake manifold gasket and also changing the ignition coils. So I finished and tried to test my work if revving had gone, the engine didn't turn on but could only crank. I thought it was the coils, replaced old ones but nothing. Used different batteries but to no success.

Mechanic's Assistant
Sunday, June 1st, 2025 AT 2:02 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
It sounds like you have a throttle body that is no good, but we should run the codes to see which ones are stored which can help confirm the problem. Please go over this guide and video to help us see what's going on, then get back to me so we can continue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXLJbuAZ4CE&t

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Monday, June 2nd, 2025 AT 11:46 AM
Tiny
SAMLK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi, thanks for the response. So here is the code I got, 000152.
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Monday, June 2nd, 2025 AT 1:23 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
So it looks like the engine might have overheated, this will cause the engine to have low compression, let's use this guide to confirm, also here are videos to help find the vacuum leak which you can do if the compression is good.

000152 - Coolant Fan Control Circuit 1: Short to Ground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOxIm1F8AW0

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRKWV4Are5c&t

Please go over these guides and get back to us.
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Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025 AT 9:57 AM

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