Oh cock!

[mongchops]

After not having been driven for a week, took the 16v out for a spin. got to a particularly busy junction and it cut out. turned over, tried to fire but just wouldn't. pushed it across the road, not amused at the people laughing, tried again and off it went. this is coupled with a problem I had just before I left it for the week. driving a little quickly around a round about, throwing it into the turns. went to scoot away, no power. put foot down again, nothing. tried again while coasting along, off we go.

Ideas would be appreciated.

[russ-vdub]

losse dizzy maybe? that sound spark related so you could have dodgy lead thats arks out when turning ...thats my idea

[mongchops]

Cheers mate.
just checked the dizzy and leads. dizzy seems fine, leads don't seem to be leaking electricity (couldn't see any sparks in the dark). If it was a problem on a normal car (not injected) then i would guess at petrol starvation but not knowing much about the engine i have (a problem that will soon be rectified with a few hours reading), I'm stuck.   

[Maltloaf]

Just a thought, but I had a similar problem when my fuel pump relay cut out.
Can you hear the pump running when you switch the ignition on?

[dubvrs]

I had a issue with my 16v that had the same effect.

Found mine to be the throttle switch was sometimes sticking so when you tried to pull away it thought it was still at tickover.

[DarnPB]

Fuel pump relays are an issue with these cars, as they were with the older Audi's. I always keep a spare in the glovebox just in case. But first of all, you might want to check out you earth straps from the battery to the chassis, and chassis to engine. If there is a corroded terminal or a lose bolt, then that may be your problem.

[mongchops]

Chaps.

Have done all of the above apart from the fuel pump relay (wouldn't know what this was or looked like even if it jumped up and smacked me on the nose). Drove it to work today and for about 5 miles of normal stop start driving, it went OK. Got on a dual carriageway, a mile later had a total power loss for a second, big puff of smoke from the exhaust, back fired and off it went as if nothing had happened. Drove another mile on dual carriageway, two more of normal stop start, no more mishaps.


Starting to get on my tits now.

More ideas or a can of petrol and a match needed please.   

[Maltloaf]

To me it certainly sounds like the fuel pump relay is cutting out.
I am not sure where it is on the valver or what number it is but it should be near the fuse box. Try searching the forum for the 'fuel pump relay'
It should click on and off when the ignition is turned on to the 1st position as the fuel pump primes the system.

[mattkh]

More ideas or a can of petrol

Hi
At leat five cans in the tank.
I reckon it is related to the amount of petrol you have in the tank

[Bristol Boy]

Hopefully the fuel pump relay is the answer to your problem (I had something similar happen on a diesel Mk4). Fifteen quid for the part, and 5 minutes work - sorted.

But if you're REALLY desperate for ideas, I once had a Mk1 that started cutting out when going round corners.  After many expensive hours with an auto electrician it turned out to be a cracked solder joint on a pin in the fuse box  -  I'd never have found that in a month of Sundays.  Hope it's the relay ......