Please help before I lose it! Crank sensor?

[patc]

Could also be key transponder chip/immob problem, common on Mk3's.
Buy youself a good code reader from Talktomycar £20

Sorry, if this is a stupid question, but would that mean if is used my spare key I may not get the problem?

And would it show on the code reader?

[patc]

I have a spare crank sensor - yous for a fiver if you want it. Its been used but the guy I got it off took it of a working engine.

There is a local spares place near me that does them for £16+ VAT.

Thanks for the tip.  I think if it is that I'll get a new one.

[bully79]

I put the code reader (vas 5052) on mine today and it showed no faults also tried a different code reader and still no fault .So I spoke to a VW master technician (paper work warrior me thinks) and he said it was the fuel pump relay which according to him was a common fault on mk3's when they were newish cars.I've fitted one and hey presto it's still the same .....Any ideas??

[richyrooney]

have a p reg 16v and had the same misfire problem and got steadily worse changed the crank sensor bought it from GSF got trade discount so only cost me 40 odd quid.When i took the old one off the cable leading up to the sensor had perished and all three wires were touching not good, anyway replaced with new item and so far done about 70 miles and no problem. I had previously changed both the ecu and fuel pump relays but check the condition of the wires on your sensor around the area it clips to the bottom of the block(about 3 inches from the sensor) and i bet they will be shagged, the unit itself seldom breaks 9 times out of 10 its the wires. Hope this helps and its a bit of a sod of a job if your doing it yourself as you will need to move front engine mount brkt out of the way to get to it

[Gti Gerbil]

best bet is to change the crank sensor, not too hard to do either

[dan_apps]

crank sensor aint going to cost the earth i think i had mine from GSF and it was about 35 quid (sorry eurocarparts) to change isnt as bad as haynes make out either i took the front engine mount bracket off and there is enough room to get your ratchet and allen key bit in there to take the old one out!

[patc]

Thanks for these!

It needs an oil & filter change too so figured would get all done at the same time.

PatC

[Khare]

I had paid £50 for a VDO unit last year, they've gone up in price a fair bit!

I wouldn't buy a cheap one though, you're only going to buy another one a few months down the line! Can't go wrong with VDO 

[patc]

Don't want to tempt fate, but mine seems has resolved itself!  Still gonna put it on the code reader next week just in case.

[Seanl]

Bought one from GSF today 50.73 including VAT. Tried looking online on ECP to use the forum discount (and they have 25% this w.end anyway) but couldnt find it. You cant use the discount in store either so would need to be ordered online and picked up in store anyway