Golf GTi mk3 cuts out after driving through puddles!?! help!

[cw3514]

Hello all

Here we go, i have an intermittent fault with my '98 R reg golf gti 8v, engine code AGG (mk3).
The fault only seems to occur when I drive through standing water, it first started a couple of weeks ago after I drove through a large puddle, about 50 yards down the road i put my foot down after turning into my road and it seemed as if the accelerator wasn't there, revs dropped and then it conked out. After stopping i tried to restart engine, it was turning over but would not start. About 12 mins later it started (with some persuasion) and i got home (only 20 yards further down the road!)
so, following day took it to local garage, where they cleaned out dizzy cap (didn't seemed cracked) and replaced rotor arm, all seemed ok so took it out for a drive later that day and went through same puddle (i know, pushing my luck) this time it was deeper. Car ground to a halt, steam coming from bonnet like nobody's business and same again, started after about 15 mins.

Anyway, have had a problem since until yesterday when it all happened again, exactly the same.

After reading various posts i have come to the conclusion it could be one of the following:

1. Relay 30 (ecu)
2. Gunked up throttle body.
3. Hall sender (inside dizzy cap?)
4. Crank position/angle sensor / engine speed sensor
5. Lambda sensor

However seeing as this only happens after driving thru standing water I can only assume it is 4 or 5, due to their positioning on the vehicle and proximity to the road. i don't really wanna take it to the garage again until I've narrowed down my options, as i know 4 & 5 can be v. expensive. does anyone have ideas? You're help would be much appreciated as this is beginning to get on my wick

P.S. Re number 4. I presume crank position sensor/crank angle sensor/engine speed sensor are names for the same thing? Hidden behind oil filter i am led to believe.

Help me!!
any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated (except drive round the puddles!)

[DazVR6]

Ithink that these crank position sensors are seceptable to water as when i had a water leak, which was directly above the sensor it corroded it and caused it to fail so my bet would be on this....but then again you CAN start your car after 10-15 minutes which i coulnt do!!!

[bsting]

I reckon your crank angle sensor is on the blink, replace it. Its under and behind the front engine mount/oil filter, you will see the lead going to it.
It runs down to the sensor on the right hand side of the dipstick. Silly VWs its in a prick of a location, you have to support the engine and remove the front engine mount to get to it.

The water thing.... To stop the water splashing up again i did this...my 8v agg has done this cutout thing too, I did notice that my 16v abf has the big black plastic cover under the engine, the 8v does not
I scored an intact one from a wrecker and fitted it....has not done done it since.

When i went through puddles before in the 8v sometimes i would lose my power steering as well.
For a second or so! OMG 

No more issues there, thanks to that cover.
As per your list too, i would replace/clean 1 & 2 (for now) plus add to it a new #167 relay.


Hope it helps

[dubtastic]

i know this is an arsey remark but..moral of the story=don't drive through puddles! if at all possible 

yeah theyre great fun but If I can I try to avoid them, as they 'pull you in' which I don't like. Hope you get it sorted mate 

[cw3514]

Thanks for your replies guys, most helpful.
Since i posted the thread i've managed to get hold of a crank sensor for £40, fraction of the £150 vw stealers wanted!
As for the plastic cover on the 16v, very interesting i think i'll be doing the same as you.
Car needs service so i'll get the mechanic to change the sensor for me. Don't have the time/space/tools or even effort to do it myself!!
Again many thanks for the tips could have spent a fortune trying to fix this but now it looks as if it will be sorted relatively cheap 

[Saffa]

Hi,

Could be the crank sender, as the wires crack open and would allow water in.

Other common item it could be is the ignition coil... these do give problems and tend to dislike wet/damp conditions. check it for small cracks and signs of tracking.

Jochen.

[snaps]

My 97 8v does the same thing, also been very temperamental in the mornings if its been cold and damp (4-5 attemps to start) i read on some forum or other (could have been this one lol ) that it can be a sign of the coil wearing out. Then on sat am she finialy refused to start whatsoever, local garage towed her and replaced the coil, wich was completely burn out apparantly, since then iv only been thru a few puddles but they have been fine and mornign starts are back to 1-2 go's to start.

>bsting, Yeah when the power steering go's i scares the hell out of me, esp when the puddles on a bend 



 

[bsting]

lol yeh the steering 'freezing' for a second or so gives me the sh!ts

Im guessing there will be a mass stampede to the wreckers in the uk, to score that 16v bottom engine cover now

Never hurts to replace the ps belt at the same time you do the cambelt on your cars.

[daz123]

THE POWER STEERING FREEZE  , i get around this now by putting foot down in corners :laugh:replacing the belt will solve as its usually worn belt that cause this , slip in wet damp conditions , my speed sensor plays up ,but sourced one for 25 quid , so will getting fitting at weekend .