Strange idling and cutting out

[VW_valver]

Hey everyone, I've searched through a lot of posts and topics but cant seem to find the same problem as Im having with my 1986 16v GTi.

The problem Im having is the revs are bouncing between 1100rpm (normal idle) and 1300rpm and keep bouncing till it gets worse e.g. bouncing from 1300rpm and dropping to 600rpm until it eventually stalls. Sometimes when I start it up, the battery light stays on until I give it a little rev, the revs are fine while the lights on but as soon as I rev it and the light goes out the revs start jumping (and the fan belt squeels for a while).

Could this just be a loose fan belt causing the bad idle?  Seems a bit strange but ive come across stranger things  p.s, the fan belt wont tighten any more than it already is.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Andy

[Gambit]

get the fan belt sorted first

then follow the guide in the mk2 maintenace section for setting up a 16v

[VW_valver]

I did try setting up my 16v as per the guide but to no avail, I'll change the fan belt and try again. Do you think it could be the fan belt then? Would there be anything else causing this to happen? 

Cheers,
Andy

[Mew]

when I start it up, the battery light stays on until I give it a little rev, the revs are fine while the lights on but as soon as I rev it and the light goes out the revs start jumping

I get something similar to that on my 8v k-jet, except my revs just drop eratically and bounce around under 1k and then it can cut out. I don't know why, however i guess if one of us finds a cure it'll probably work for the other one!

[dabill]

perhaps with the 8v at least it the idle stabalisation valve... try changing this?

although, i had a very simular problem due to a wire being broken on the connector behind the throttle body, look for this.

rob

[moggy]

try the plug on isv valve the wires going to mine looked fine but one was snapped  2" down inside  :smiley:the outer sleeving