Helpppp!! Car wont start!!

Feb 9, 2021
43
15
Manchester
Hi everyone
Newbie here!
I really need some help, my seat leon 1.6 tdi will NOT start, owned for 1.5 years and not had any issues until I took it off the road right before Christmas for a few weeks, moved it once in 30 days whist cleaning my garden, gone to drive it and it will not start, lights radio dashboard all on, battery was low so charged it up,still didnt help, replaced with new one, still didn't help, iv had electrical engineer out, 5 hours later and a large bill, still not starting. seat and vw specialist said it was the starter motor but iv had that checked and started manually, ticking over but not starting, someone suggested keys may have decoded themselves, had that look at today, battery changed in both keys reset them and still not starting? 4 different mechanics and electrician, lots of money spent and still no answers.
Also to add the car is not showing up with no faults other than the ABS

Anyone any ideas on what the problem could be, or had a similar issue, im sick and tired of getting conflicting information from some mechanics.
 

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,255
587
Sorry. When you said that you’ve had the starter checked and started manually and ticking over but not starting - what do you mean?

Do you mean that the starter motor is cranking the engine, but the engine will not start?
 
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black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,255
587
In addition to the starter question above, does the car have stop start?

Have you tried jump starting it? When you charged the battery, did you remove the battery from the car or charge the battery whilst still fitted to the car?

If you’ve used jump leads or charged battery when fitted to the car, did you connect directly to the negative terminal on the battery or to an earthing point?
 
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Feb 9, 2021
43
15
Manchester
Hi thanks for responding, no stop start, im not sure, mechanic took out the starter motor abit and wired it up to her battery or van got it cranking up but yeah the engine isnt starting, sorry I'm a girl, barely any idea on cars, iv tried bumping a few times

And i the battery is now changed, I didnt do that part i just took it out and charged it up
 
Feb 9, 2021
43
15
Manchester
In addition to the starter question above, does the car have stop start?

Have you tried jump starting it? When you charged the battery, did you remove the battery from the car or charge the battery whilst still fitted to the car?

If you’ve used jump leads or charged battery when fitted to the car, did you connect directly to the negative terminal on the battery or to an earthing point?
 

black_sheep

Active Member
Mar 10, 2013
1,255
587
In summary, it could be any number of issues.

There are some basic checks that can be completed, and a logical sequence for fault finding, starting with the battery then the starter motor, then fuel supply (including glow plugs due to cold start) - it sounds like the tradespeople you’ve used have done this.

It could also be issues with the ignition, immobiliser, engine control unit, relays, fuses, instrument cluster.

Do you have breakdown cover? Has anyone been out to look at the vehicle? Could they recover it to a garage?

My recommendation would be to bite the bullet and get the vehicle recovered to a specialist or dealer.
 

AndrewJB

Friend to SEAT UK & Cupra Racing
Aug 16, 2007
11,209
485
Maranello
So, you have a new battery on it, you put the keys in and it does nothing at all? ignition doesn't come on? its not getting power then. Either new battery is wrong/knackered or... and this isn't uncommon.

You have had Mouse/Rats living in the engine bay while its been parked up.... you might laugh but its more common than you think.
 
Feb 9, 2021
43
15
Manchester
In summary, it could be any number of issues.

There are some basic checks that can be completed, and a logical sequence for fault finding, starting with the battery then the starter motor, then fuel supply (including glow plugs due to cold start) - it sounds like the tradespeople you’ve used have done this.

It could also be issues with the ignition, immobiliser, engine control unit, relays, fuses, instrument cluster.

Do you have breakdown cover? Has anyone been out to look at the vehicle? Could they recover it to a garage?

My recommendation would be to bite the bullet and get the vehicle recovered to a specialist or dealer.
No breakdown cover, currently uninsured due to not working for nearly 2 months, iv already contacted seat Manchester directly, and had little joy and rude customer service 🥴 so wasn't planning on taking it there, I live close to a vw specialist so could possibly tow it to him but he's pretty much baffled himself.
 
Feb 9, 2021
43
15
Manchester
So, you have a new battery on it, you put the keys in and it does nothing at all? ignition doesn't come on? its not getting power then. Either new battery is wrong/knackered or... and this isn't uncommon.

You have had Mouse/Rats living in the engine bay while its been parked up.... you might laugh but its more common than you think.
Yes basically nothing, lights and radio come on as normal, put the key in and naff all, no sound or attemp to start
Yeah iv heard this can happen, im not sure where to look tho,
 
Feb 9, 2021
43
15
Manchester
do the lights and radio come on? if they do its getting power. but the starter motor isn't
Yep, head lights on full, radio on, dash lite up, its baffling me, had an audi previous to this car do something similar and that was a relay problem, iv had them checked on the seat and all look fine, no faults showing up when plugged in to diagnosis, strange
 
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