GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: jlbrown3 on 17 February 2009, 12:29
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I started my car last night and noticed an unusual noise at regular intervals (3 seconds or so), the noise is accompanied by a slight drop in revs and also dimming of lights. The noise "sounds" like a pump? I've had a long running problem with this car:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=52613.0 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=52613.0)
I wonder whether this the problematic component finally giving up the ghost after 2 years, umpteen times on the computer and new MAF and temp sensors.
Has anyone experienced similar problem or have any ideas? I'm wondering whether to risk the 25 mile journey to my regular mechanic or just take the £££ hit at the dealership on my doorstep.
John
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Could this be the secondary air pump?
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if your lights are dimming i'd suggest that your alternator may be on its way out
do the lights dip if you use any other electrics? i.e windows etc?
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mine does that, the revs drop now n then when i pull up at lights and stuff with clutch in, sometimes, the revs take time 2 drop, and then they drop below 800 and flicks up n down, lights did dim now n then when putting windows up and down but i thought nothing of it, i was putting it off hoping it wud stop but maybe there is a fault
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If your lights are dimming and its making a noise i will bet that will be your alternator mate.
Take it anywhere they will prob test it for free for you as it only takes 2 min to check or check yourself with a multi meter if you have one or can borrow one.
Attach it to the battery see what it reads on tickover shud be about 11 - 12v rev up you shud see the volts go up to about 14V or somthing along those lines if its working correctly.
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mines done it a couple of times an revs were dropping to about 600-800 revs, first time was after a 60 mile motorway drive
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The alternator sounds very plausable, I wonder if my on-going intermittent problems since Jan 07 (linked in my original post) have been this or something else electrical. If only it could be that simple! Will get checked and report back.
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turn your aircon completely off and go for a test run to see if it still happens
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turn your aircon completely off and go for a test run to see if it still happens
Frustratingly as usual I can't replicate the exact problem; revs jump a couple of hundred when I turn on the aircon or turn the steering wheel if that means anything?
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I'd say it's a combination of your aircon compressor or rad fans kicking in, and a slightly dodgy battery or alternator making you more aware of it as it draws the power away making your revs drop/lights dim for a moment or two. Most garages will be able to put a tester across your alternator to show if its that or your battery that needs replacing.
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Popped into Kwik-Fit on the way home from work to get the battery checked but as soon as the cover was lifted from the battery a problem was clear; one of the three fuses on the battery looked like it had been on fire!? Kwik-Fit guy wasn't keen to touch it so I will have to take the car elsewhere.
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Having read your reply in the other thread those fuses are a likely culprit for your cutting out/losing all electrics. Same happened to me at 60mph on a dual carriageway.. at night in the rain, while overtaking going round a bend :grin: brown trouser moment..
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Looks like the ABS (hydraulic pump) fuse has spectacularly blown, I don't know whether this is a symptom of my power-loss/cutting out problems, the cause, or a new unrelated problem. I have the car booked in with VW to have fuse and fuse holder replaced, I wasn't inspired with confidence when the guy I was speaking to didn't seem to have a clue what the fuses on the battery were for?
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Having read your reply in the other thread those fuses are a likely culprit for your cutting out/losing all electrics. Same happened to me at 60mph on a dual carriageway.. at night in the rain, while overtaking going round a bend :grin: brown trouser moment..
I bet you must have made a proper mess on your seats mate. :shocked:
That is scary I wouldnt leave quick fit alone with my motor
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I doubt if the ABS fuse has blown that thats the problem although if the fuse holder has been on fire then this could of caused some.
The Aircon pump kicking in will change your revs for a second because when its you do so its suddenly putting a load on the engine that wasnt there before. The ECU will then alter the air/ fuel etc and the engine should run as normal but uses more fuel because of teh extra load.
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Sick of pumping money into this so just got a bypass done on the offending fuse connection and had the alternator checked (which was fine). Car is running normally today but I'll just have to wait and see.
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Cars been running with absolutly no problems since I had the burnt out fuse connection bypassed, so I would recommend that anyone who is experience cutting out and power-loss problems to have a quick check of the fuse-box on their battery just in case. What I wouldn't recommend is to drive you car into a wall like I did yesterday :cry: Just waiting for the derisory offer from my insurance to write it off.
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Cars been running with absolutly no problems since I had the burnt out fuse connection bypassed, so I would recommend that anyone who is experience cutting out and power-loss problems to have a quick check of the fuse-box on their battery just in case. What I wouldn't recommend is to drive you car into a wall like I did yesterday :cry: Just waiting for the derisory offer from my insurance to write it off.
ah that wasn't a good move lol
gutted mate - as long as you're in one piece and no one was hurt thats the main thing :smiley:
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HUH, was that down to the the problem u were having ???
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HUH, was that down to the the problem u were having ???
Nah, it snowed in Belfast yesterday morning and I was on an untreated road, hit a patch of ice, lost the back end and couldn't get it back under control. Impact was pretty low-speed but there's plent of damage.
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Sorry to hear that. Glad your okay though.