Strange issues with my Golf

[weedude83]

Right folks. Had problems a while back, had a coil replaced and the Engine Coolant Temp Sensor was also replaced. The mechanic said he also cleaned out hte throttle body too.
Since this has been done, the engine management light came one with a throttle code flashing up. He thought it was to do with it just being cleaned so cleared it and car drove fine.

Until last week. EM light came back on and had constant errors flashing up saying 'alternator workshop'. Missus was out driving and the Car, mid drive, died and power steering & brakes became unresponsive. Car rolled to a stop on a grassy verge. Implications could have been pretty severe.

Anyway, the EM light remained on and I noticed that there was a 'judder' when the petrol light comes on when  accelerating and car was idling high. Pulled up at a set of lights and noticed revs sitting high (1500) so turned hte car off and restarted. Then the car died. When trying to restart the car, there was not a sound, apart from a click click click. Boy that came to tow the car said starter motor was red hot. Got it to mechanic and he started it no bother with no warnings, no EM light, nothing. Until i drove the car home. EM Light came back on etc.  Completely at a loss as to whats happening. Any ideas? 

[weedude83]

Oh, its a mk4 (obv) 1.4 53 plate.

[Nino]

Hmmmm you really need to get it scanned on a vagcom however, from what you have said it sounds fuel related e.g the engine is being starved of fuel hence why she's cutting out. When was it last serviced? Are all the plugs ok? Has the fuel filter ever been changed? Is the fuel pump or relay to the fuel pump ok?

[Dalo Harkin]

The clicking is the starter motor, sometimes they jam (we used to hit them with a hammer) as your alternator workshop light came on I would get that checked too.
It's hard to pinpoint problems like this, but as Nino has said check the basics, like plugs and fuel filter.

I would say it's something electrical with it cutting out, get someone to check the battery, alternator and starter

[jonrandom]

As said it could be the alternator, when the battery doesnt have enough power the starter motor makes that clicking sound like its f**ked. It would explain why it lost all power steering and brakes. Worth getting it check out.

[GTi_James]

As said it could be the alternator, when the battery doesnt have enough power the starter motor makes that clicking sound like its f**ked. It would explain why it lost all power steering and brakes. Worth getting it check out.

+1 especially with all the crappy weather we've had

[spaced4130]

Sounds like alternator to me, it may be charging a little but not enough or sometimes charging and other times not if the brushes are very worn. If you have a multimeter measure the volts from the negative and positive terminals of the battery it should read about 12v when off and around 14v when its running as the alternator should be charging the system. if not then its not working properly.   

[weedude83]

Error code that was coming up this time was: 19667 - oxygen (lambda) sensor b1 s1: heater return coupling.

Had that replaced and *touch wood* havent had any problems. Mechanic isnt convinced this will solve the problems experienced.

Any thoughts folks?