Mk3 Engine Speed Sensor - Car cuts out !

[vagmad]

Hi,
    I've been searching on the forum for cutting out,stalling, engine speed sensors and can't weigh up what's applicable to my new addition.
I have just bought a mint (looking anyway) Mk 3 8v. 97 on a 'P' with 84k and a FSH. I tried the usual 'ring the last owner before purchase' but told ex directory. Bought it, found a 200 quid recent VAG bill for non starting and diagnostic and alarm bells rang. Previous owners name on bill so just come off phone with him and car has totally cut out without warning several times over last 4 years. He had a last ditch attempt with VAG before intending to sell privately and was told (after 3 returns with same problem) that it was the engin speed sensor and 199 quid so he traded in. Is this bad news ? My wife will mainly use te car and I don't want it cutting out in the fast lane of the M62 ! Any advice would be appreciated. 30 day warranty at back street garage so need to be armed with evidence

[mk1]

Tell the garage that it breaks down intermitently, leave the VAG bill in a not to obviouse place, hope they find it while checking out the car. Relays and ign modules are also a known fault on this model.
Steve.

[snowball]

take it down to your local stealer get them to run a test via the diagnostics port ! that will see all the problems

[vagmad]

Thanks,
            Last bill was a VAG one that charged ?60+vat for the diagnostics, test drive etc. As a result, replaced Dizzy, leads & plugs at a total of ?300...only for previous owner to have same fault on way home. They replaced coil...did it again.
Goes back to the garage I bought it from tomorrow, under warranty.

Car cut out on my wife yesterday(on slowing down)

Anyone know what the engine speed sensor does ? (apart from senses the engine speed that is). That was VAG's last attempt at what it may be

[mk1]

Sensor is on the front of the engine close to the oil filter housing. It's used as an input to the "ecu" so it knows (also using the signal from the distributor) which cylinder is firing. This is used to fire the injectors at the correct time, just as the corresponding valve is opening.
I have replaced these sensors for intermitent non start. May be your problem .
Steve.

[Cupra Turbo]

Before I took mine on a test drive, a lad took it... and it cut out on him just like u described which put him off buying it, VW fixed the problem and I bought it  

.. it was a sensor but I forget which one... could the the engine speed sensor... ill see if i can find out

[vagmad]

  Cheers Guys,
                         It's undergoing diagnostics at some specialists in Rochdale as I write. I've forwarded your comments to the dealer.
It cut out on me this morning at low engine speed in traffic. It started up a couple of minutes later to travel 100 miles across the Penines in the snow and it never missed a beat. Fingers crossed it's the sensor....

[vagmad]

UPDATE

Car been back with Diagnostic guy and appears problem is ignition switch. This was arcing and causing cut-out. Now replaced and has not cut out under 'constant idle' in garage (whereas did without new switch). Left it with them to test under normal conditions. (pig of a job apparently involving air bag removal, steering column etc) Fingers crossed and a possible post in the 'Good Guys' if successful.

[turbo]

if the diagnostic says its the switch it will be that.....
i cant see there being anymore trouble.....

this diagnostic thing saves time and money.....

[Jimbobsbig.69]

How did you go on? Is it better or did the main Stealer win again!!!!!