GTI cutting out, oil light flashes

[dr_robotnick]

Happy New Year!!

I've been looking forward to returning to this thread to post my own solution to this 'window-smashing' capacity of a car problem.  You can add my MK 3 2.0 8V GTI to the list of vehicles with faulty crank angle sensors!
I got an auto electrician to come out with his VAG system to pin point electrical faults - there were 4 on my car! Lambda sensor, crank angle sensor, mass air flow sensor and hall sensor.  The hall sensor on a MK3 is part of the distributor, so I replaced it with one from the scrap yard - but didn't stop the cutting out.  Then replaced mass air flow sensor - engine idling nicely, but still cutting out.  Got a used crank angle sensor off ebay [seem to be a steady supply of them on ebay] for £20.  It wasn't actually that hard to replace, you do have to remove the front engine mount and starter motor to get the alan key at it, you don't need to remove the oil filter as it says in the Haynes.  The car is running perfectly now and I'm confident about driving distances again!
I haven't changed the lambda sensor yet, but will do when the exhaust system needs replacing soon.
Hope this helps someone out!

All the best!

Jonathan

[hd_andy]

Hi All,

Another 1998 GTi 8V here.

I read through this thread a while ago and changed the ECU Relay - That was 4 months ago and the car was fine up until a couple of weeks ago when I changed the oil and filter.

The car has cut out a couple of times since - both times on Dual Carriagways / fast A roads travelling at approx 60mph.  So reading through again I wander whether I may have disturbed the crank angle sensor wiring as its located just above the filter.

So irritating when you think you have fixed it and it comes back again. 

[Rob Needham]

Hi All,

Another 1998 GTi 8V here.

I read through this thread a while ago and changed the ECU Relay - That was 4 months ago and the car was fine up until a couple of weeks ago when I changed the oil and filter.

The car has cut out a couple of times since - both times on Dual Carriagways / fast A roads travelling at approx 60mph.  So reading through again I wander whether I may have disturbed the crank angle sensor wiring as its located just above the filter.

So irritating when you think you have fixed it and it comes back again. 

Andy.

tell me about it! mine started doing exactly the same christmas eve after 6 months of trouble free driving from a previous cutting out issue!

sounds to me you could of knocked the wires for that crank angle sensor ( speed sensor ), just spent half hour on the phone to a local vw specialist nr me (volksmania), considering i have changed more or less everything else he reckons that the wiring on those sensors is notoriously bad and symptoms are it will just cut out randomly.... he said it would usually take 10 mins or so before it will re-start but mine tends to start straight away. did yours? Rob

[hd_andy]

It takes a couple of goes cranking it over - but nothing like ten minutes.

[Rob Needham]

well ill be having a play on friday with a sensor, ill let you know how it goes!

[dr_robotnick]

Forgot to mention;

I have a spare crank angle sensor [tested & working] for a MK3 VR6.  I bought it thinking it would fit my 8V GTI.  It has a very small slit in the middle of the outer black casing of the cable, but this has been sealed with insulating tape and is as good as new [and is nothing to do with the common fault on these sensors - which is inside the housing of the actual sensor].  £25 seems like a fair price [including postage].  Please email me at jhulson@europe.com if interested.

[hd_andy]

Changed my Crankshaft sensor today.  The plastic casing of the wire was very brittle and just crumbled when you touched it exposing the bare wire - certainly needed changing

Looking back at the history - after replacing the ECU relay it went for 6 months, 6000 miles with no cutting out, i then changed the oil and it cut out twice.

After removing the old sensor today and looking at the state of the wire it makes sense that I may have caused the problem by knocking the wire on the oil change

[slim332]

Hello i have been having this problem and just got round to buying the relay 30 does any one have any pictures were its located so i can change it...so i can show my dad to change it?

Also went to the garage today i told them about the relay but they dident even check and said change the coil.....any one heard of this being the problem?

Thanks very much

Sorry forgot to say its a 8v colour concept i was told it was under a panel under next to the driver seat by the garage but looking at one of the pictures posted here i am not sure

[ElliottG]

Hello i have been having this problem and just got round to buying the relay 30 does any one have any pictures were its located so i can change it...so i can show my dad to change it?

Also went to the garage today i told them about the relay but they dident even check and said change the coil.....any one heard of this being the problem?

Thanks very much

Sorry forgot to say its a 8v colour concept i was told it was under a panel under next to the driver seat by the garage but looking at one of the pictures posted here i am not sure

The relays are located with the fuses. There's a plastic cover you need to pop off under the steering wheel. Sorry I don't have any pictures. I'm sure you'll find it, though.

[shakeyjake]

mine did the whole cutting out and starting up again within a split second on motorway speeds, and cutting out at idle sometimes. changed the ecu relay(30) was fine up until today, cut out and started up again pulling off a roundabout. nightmare.