Electrical gremlin - Mk3 Golf GTI

Our now departed Mk3 GTI had some gremlins, though not quite the same as yours.

It used to like not starting after standing for 5 mins (ie at the petrol station) and then restart quite innocently after 5 more. Never stopped or acted up while driving though. This was a dry joint inside Relay "30". Can't now remember if this was the engine management relay or the fuel pump relay. New one cured it, though had I looked inside before buying the new one - I'd have just soldered the old one properly and saved myself a tenner!

The coil packs do die, but usually in an unequivocal, non sparking, show-stopping manner. Dodgy connections on the coil might be the culprit though.

In view of your remarks about the rev counter, I think the engine position sensors might also be suspect. There are two. One is in the distributor and senses cam position. The other snses crank position and is on the bottom right hand corner of the engine (standing at bumper looking at engine) pointing back at the flywheel. It's a sod to change due to access or lack of.

Cheers

Nick

the ignition switch is a problem on mid 90s vw's
generaly about £12 from gsf etc

Had loads in with all sorts of faults that were down to the ign switch, usually starting at odd times or only starting with a push, shame they are such a PITA to actually change

Ignition switch is a good call. Did change this on ours due to increasing frequent reluctance to bring the starter motor into action (not that bad a job in fact although a dremel or similar comes in handy) but it was probably not guilty of the not firing up once turning over as that problem didn't go away until the relay (mentioned above) was swapped out.

VAG-COM might help if it's one of the engine position sensors - otherwise I doubt it'll shed much light.

Nick

It seems like the rev counter starts going nuts just as the engine begins to die. It's hard to tell because both times I wasn't really expecting it - stereo on, cruising along and then... no power.

Crank sensor looks like you have to take the engine mount off to get at it... that looks a right pallarva! I'll hook VAGCOM up and see what the computer says.

I forgot you had that Mk3 Russ! Would be great if I could try the ignition switch and maybe Relay 30 too, which seems to cause similar problems.

Ahhhhh, your intermittant readiness is not applicable. I thought as much ;D

Same here, read the first line of the post and would have immediately said crank sensor. Mine did exactly the same thing a couple of years ago. Its actually a common fault with them from my experience.

I wouldn't leave it too long, mine did it a couple of times intermittently over the course of a few weeks, and then chucked a massive wobbler and I couldn't drive the car for more than a mile without it cutting out.

I know what you mean - I do a lot of miles each day and I'd really rather it not cut out on the motorway in rush hour. Sod's law that's what will happen though.

I had a squint under the bonnet and the sensor wires look well past their best - insulation cracked etc.
I don't have the time to fix it so I think I'll be taking it to the garage and letting them do it.

Thanks for the help and advice!