engine cutsout while driving. J 91 GTI 8v

[ricardo19]

Hoping someone can give me some pointers on this...  While driving the rev needle just drops to zero, no engine lights come on and the engine has obviously stopped.  If I turn the key a fraction and then back on it comes back to life.  I dont turn the key much, probably about half a cm.

It happens quite random although it is starting to get more frequent.  It also doesn`t matter if its wet/dry, cold or hot.

Anyone have a clue as to what it might be.  Its a J reg 91 Gti 8v 155000m.   Thanks...

[Ben Lessani]

Ignitition switch

[rubjonny]

yep if wiggling key helps then most prob that. bit of an arse to change, if you take lower ign cowling off you'll see it at the back of the lock housing, its held on with a wee screw. trouble is its right up to the column, but it can be removed with a thin watchmaker screwdriver.  other option is to remove column completly, pull electrical plugs remove dash undertray then remove bolt holding column to UJ, dont loose the spring between them.  then undo allen bolt holding lock housing to column tube, whole thing will pull out.

[ricardo19]

Thanks for the pointers....  Might wait a while till it gets a little warmer though....

[yamz89]

i'm having the same problem but its on a stock 1.6 driver. Drive and runs sweet but it'll just cut out for no reason. Then i had to go through the sequence of turning the key all the way, pressing the hidden immobilizer switch and then the lights come back on and off i go 

[skem55]

u say wat abt hidden immob switch on 91 j reg 1.6 driver,having same problem sorta, it ran fine then cut out, wont rev or idle help required asap.

thanks

stuart

[rubjonny]

if you have an immob id say it could be down to that, but still could be ign switch issue.