unfortunately any major short somewhere can cause the car to cut out...but as i understand it you can start your car again and it turns over and runs....(after your bumpy road ride). So the crank sensor is working (maybe it only cuts out sometimes...but maybe not). This part is expensive to replace if you replace it with a good quality part and cheap if you replace it with a cheap part. Take a look at it on your car and if any of the wiring is exposed on the crank sensor which is hidden away behind the oil filter...(it will look like a plug stuck into the engine block...(usually they are black..) I suggest that you don't touch it i you don't have to as the whole thing can fall to bits i it is old...(you have been warned) mine did that..if I had not touched it I would of saved me 60 quid (but sooner or later it would have went.)
The ignition barrel is cheap about a tenner but a lot of work to replace (i have not done it yet but most likely will have to in the near future as everyone has to change this part...)
The crank sensor change is no picnic either if it is hidden behind the front engine mount as you will have to take the starter off.....and then it can be a pain lining it back up again....
if you jiggle the key and then it starts/or stops suddenly when already running then it is the ignition switch...simply take of all of your keychains etc and extra weight on the key itself..and just put the key in the ignition..this will hopefully prevent it from moving when it goes over bumps and then you can keep your car going for a little while until you replace your ignition switch....
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If you think it is your lights then drive over the same area with your lights off..and see if the car cuts out or not....then take a look at wiring going to your lights....Germans can't wire anything up to save their lives....it's a cultural thing for them..all of their cars sufer from it....
Hope that helped..
Remember it could be one of these things...more than one thing or something else entirely...get someone to look at your car and they will be able to help you pinpoint the problem..
Just give your location here and maybe another forum member will extend a helping hand...
