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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 14:45

Title: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 14:45
ok i have a 1998 mk3 golf gti 8v
car has never let me down.
untill today.
lastnight i was driving home i pulled out of a junction and it felt like the engine died but then it was fine. i thought it must have just been me putting it in 4th by accident or something.

well today i was sitting in traffic at a set of traffic light. engine was idling as it was red light and suddenly engine just died.
then car just refued to start. i tried and tried but nothing.
so i got out car opened bonnet and had a look around, couldnt find anything rong.
i then got back in car tried it again and it was fine. and has been fine ever since.

any ideas what could this be.

i will explain abit about my car as it may help.
my car is very winey even on tickover it wines slitely. it has always been like that since i bought it a year ago. not sure if that is a reason for anything but best to be thourough
also on tickover my car has a very very slitely lumpy twich and always has like its smooth but every few seconds theres a little shudder that is very small does not show up on rev counter.
also if i rev the engine very slitely i get i small pop from exhaust just after rev.

any ideas why my car has started to cut out then be fine?
just changed ht leads not that i think its that but as a pracotion.

any help welcome
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: Sii on 13 January 2011, 15:24
This gets covered loads: I know because it happened to my car.

If it cuts out in a very dramatic way like the power has suddenly been cut then most likely it will be the crank position sensor located under the engine mount near the oil filtre. The wires break down over time.

If it dies in a lumpy, gradual way then it's likely to need the throttle body cleaning out which is very easy to do yourself.

Have a search on 'cutting out' as there's pages and pages of it!  :grin:
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 16:10
Yep it cuts out as if power has just bin switched off. One mine fine then DEAD.
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: rubjonny on 13 January 2011, 16:21
do oil and battery lights come on when it cuts out?
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 16:33
I can't realy remember mate. I didn't think to look. I think I remember seeing them on after it cut out a moment ago. Engine was running and I was under bonnet having a look. Then it died and when I went to start again I think they were on why? 

How easy is it to change that sonsor myself? Can't find it in haynes manual.
Also are they expemsive?
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: rubjonny on 13 January 2011, 16:44
if the lights come on you know its not an ignition switch fault :)
does sound crank sensory to me my abf did the same thing. gsf sell em cheap and its not too hard to do once you take front engine mount off
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 16:52
any chance somebody can give me a step by step giude how to change it?
i just cant seem to find it in my haynes manual.
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 17:02
aha think iv found it. would the crank position sensor be called the engine speen sensor in the haynes manual?
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: rubjonny on 13 January 2011, 17:05
sounds like the one aye, its down the bottom of the engien next to the gearbox, just under the front mount/oil filter housing
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 17:40
Nice one cheers mate.
Haynes manual don't say anything bout removing engine mount.
When you say cheap what we talking £20ish?
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: rubjonny on 13 January 2011, 18:48
removing the maount makes the job easier, price wise think its 50ish iirc?
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 18:57
removing the maount makes the job easier, price wise think its 50ish iirc?

£50  :shocked:
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: thai-wronghorse on 13 January 2011, 19:41
Yeah there about's, I think I paid roughly £47 for mine.
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 22:41
fair enuf.

so i take it its a job i can do from engine bay?
i dont have to be under the car?
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: Khare on 13 January 2011, 22:45
I can recommend this one from VDO.
http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf_2.0_1997/p/car-parts/engine-parts/fuel-and-engine-management/engine-management-sensor/?494440200&1&7f4f1264b0f3a669bf076a9fb69e3b3f930cbccd&ESPS (http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Volkswagen_Golf_2.0_1997/p/car-parts/engine-parts/fuel-and-engine-management/engine-management-sensor/?494440200&1&7f4f1264b0f3a669bf076a9fb69e3b3f930cbccd&ESPS)


Pricey, (I got it when it was £60 about 6 months ago) but it's good quality).


To change it with a LOT of ease, it's best to do it with the front engine mount off. Otherwise it's a very fiddley job.
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 13 January 2011, 22:56
cheers mate. gona go to my local discount parts shop see what hes got. i need to fix it tomorrow realy so cant wait for delivery.
but cheers any buddy.
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: stainesy on 14 January 2011, 13:18
just had a go at changing mine.
got p!ssed off and gave up.
sod it just gona pay £65 and have it done for my  :evil:
Title: Re: mk3 gti 8v engine cut out help
Post by: sploosh on 17 January 2011, 21:25
i got crank angle sensor for £15 just b4xmas ,ive got a 98 8 valve and was doing same as yours , i fitted my self but if your a bit warey just follow your haynes manual on removing front engine mount , it will get the starter motor out the way for you , you neednt remove the mount , once you got motor and its brackets out the way , remove oil filter and follow your wire off sensor down to engine block to were crank sensor is theres a philips screw just to the right of it remove and out she comes , you neednt get under the car . hope this helps