Ahhhhhh, Mk2 Electrics / Fuel Delivery

[jakethesnake180]

Sooo, my Golf passed its MOT the other week after lots of work, see my project thread. ( I need to update with new photos).
Basically it had all engine electrics changed just before MOT, plugs, leads, cap, rotor arm etc.
All filters, fresh oil, fresh a-freeze etc and all was running well.

As the car had been stood for approx 18 months before its MOT i was only doing short runs to work and around town etc to build up my confidence in the car,
done about 200 miles in the car over the last couple of weeks.
Car loosened up really well after its long layoff and the engine sounds sweet with lots of power.
Took it out for a spin on Sunday and decided to go shopping in it with the mrs, about a 50 mile round trip

On the way back pulling up to a round about the car wasnt running right and I noticed an odd buzzing sound from the fuse box area. Multiple loud backfires later and it died going round the roudabout.
I limped it to a layby and popped the bonnet to have a look around but couldnt see anything obvious.
The car would start on every turn of the key but would, cough and backfire with zero power and then die.
Then I notice that when the car would run and idle (badly)there was an odd clicking sound coming from the metering unit area. Also with just the ignition on the fuel pump kept stuttering and priming over and over again.
I called my dad for a tow, left the car alone for 10 minutes and then tried it again only for it to start with a cough and then run perfectly.
Drove it the last 10 minutes home and it never missed a beat!

Its now sat on my drive waiting for me to have a look at it this weekend,
Im convinced its an electrical problem (bad earth / intermittent connection on the aftermarket cobra alarm immobiliser which is fitted) but could be convinced otherwise if anyone has experienced anything like this before.

Cheers All

Jake

[Diamond Hell]

Change the fuel pump relay for a starter.

Then rip the stupid alarm out of it.

[jakethesnake180]

The car started and warmed up to temp without a hitch today to say its been sat for a week as ive been away with work.
Had the plastics off around the fuse box and pulled a few fuses and relay to check for any intermittent connections but nothig obvious. Noticed a couple of iffy bullet connectors further back but it looks like they run to the lights on the heater switches so repaired them but thats not my problem.
Done a few miles today and filled it up with fuel ill run it for a while and see if it does it again.

Change the fuel pump relay for a starter.

Then rip the stupid alarm out of it.

Ordered today, would explain the odd sound from the fuse box and pump cuttng in and out.

[jakethesnake180]

The problem is back again,

After the last time it cut out I replaced the fuel pump relay.

It then let me down last week on the way to work.
Engine was up to temperature. All of a sudden the rev counter dances around, backfiring through the exhaust and then death. Once the engine cools down it will start and run fine.

I changed the coil this time as it was the original and it transformed the car. Cold start is much better and engine much smoother . . . . . . . however it did it again on Saturday morning.

Now im thinking its the hall effect sensor on the distributor as its affecting the rev counter aswell.
Does the rev counter pik up off the distrubuter or coil?

Can anyone help? Has anyone come across this before?

[GOLF-MK3-GTI]

I've got this same problem on my mk3, so I'm going to change the crankshaft sensor, I rekon once the magnetic feed gets warm, the hall sensor in distributor does not pick it up that the crank is turning, therefore the coil won't spark.

Mine only does it once engine is warm and at operating temp, but it's very intermittent.