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golf mk3 problem starting and erratic idling/cutout

7K views 29 replies 5 participants last post by  Crasher 
#1 ·
hi
got a vw p reg mk3 golf 1.6 petrol
wont start without pressing the accelerator
erratic idling drops below 800 then recovers ,usually,but sometimes
cuts out especially early in journey
had a new temp senser fitted as it cut out all the time before

diry throttle body has been suggested
just wonder if any thing i can clean check myself
any good sites for maintanence
i have got haynes manual
cheers craig :(
 
#4 ·
i'm having the exact same problems..

i've tried:

plugs
injector
fuel pressure regulator membrane
cleaned out the vacuum hoses
new air filter
new air temp sensor
coolant temp sensor

any other suggestions?

just seems to be putting too much fuel into the system to start with, then levelling off?

maybe its the lambda sensor? or maybe the ecu is shagged?

please help!!

Will
 
#6 ·
sorry yeah, my cars a mk3 golf, kreg which makes it a '92 i think. engine code ABD (almost certain)

basically i crashed the first mk3 golf i had, only body damage really. so i'm using parts from that crashed car to use on this golf, so no money is being spent really.

how do i go about getting fault code reading? i've seen the fault code readers in halfords for 18 quid, will one of those do?

thanks very much

Will
 
#7 ·
I have never used one of those Halfords (I think Gunson) fault code readers but it may be worth a try. The diagnostic plugs are above the ashtray behind two blanks, one small the other larger, a white plug and a black plug as this is what was used up until 1994 on the Golf 3. This should allow you to read off the codes, write them down and then to clear them. Then you drive the car for a while, a few miles should be enough, and then read and note the codes again. At this point, post the before and after codes and I will look them up for you. The codes must be read with the engine running.
 
#8 ·
craig said:
hi
got a vw p reg mk3 golf 1.6 petrol
wont start without pressing the accelerator
erratic idling drops below 800 then recovers ,usually,but sometimes
cuts out especially early in journey
had a new temp senser fitted as it cut out all the time before

diry throttle body has been suggested
just wonder if any thing i can clean check myself
any good sites for maintanence
i have got haynes manual
cheers craig :(
Exactly the same as me. Ive got a MKIII K reg 1.8 GL and had to upgrade my AA membership to home support :evil: ( 60squid!!

After 30 mins of trying to get it started the think reeked of petrol - eventually got it started when he shut the fuel off!! He reckons it could be a temp sensor so Ive dropped it off at my local Colbornes :cry:

Probably get a bill for about 150squid for just running a diagnostic and replacing the sensor

hope it works :roll:
 
#14 ·
craig said:
hi
got a vw p reg mk3 golf 1.6 petrol
wont start without pressing the accelerator
erratic idling drops below 800 then recovers ,usually,but sometimes
cuts out especially early in journey
had a new temp senser fitted as it cut out all the time before

diry throttle body has been suggested
just wonder if any thing i can clean check myself
any good sites for maintanence
i have got haynes manual
cheers craig :(
Took it to Colbornes who replaced the temp sensor and reset the ECR - seems to run fine now BUT NOW it runs at about 90 - 95c :twisted: whereas before it was only running at 70c - There also looks to be too much coolant in the expansion tank. What have they done to my car!!? :x
The fan didnt even kick in afterwards either - popped the bonnet up after driving it a few miles and the coolant was bubbling away with the temp guage showing 98 :twisted: :twisted:

Have they arsed up my cooling system? The repair is under warranty thank God
 
#17 ·
hows the car going now?

was it just the coolant temp sensor that you changed?

also, does ur car have an air flow meter? because mine doesn't seem to have one :S

can anyone help me locate it?

also, if i change the whole injection/carb part (just below the air filter mountings) can i just wire it up? or will i have to get it re-programmed or anything?

will it break any electrical components?

thanks

Will
 
#21 ·
I should be getting a code read soon, they're 18 quid, i may aswell get one.

also, i have a full car of spare parts which i know are working..

so should i change the throttle potition sensor unit? then just try it? or will i have to get it configured to the ecu first? the haynes manual says i should get it configured, but would it do any harm not to?

Will
 
#24 ·
Mark 3 cutting out!!

Same problems as many of the above :roll: . My car just cleanly cut out about two months ago and since then it's been undriveable. Well, I have driven it round in circles near my house and tried on a couple of occasions to drive it further but ended up getting a tow. The petrol that was taken out of it caused another car to break when that petrol was put into it so we know it was bad petrol. Since then it's had about ÂŁ20 worth of new petrol in there and still is fooked. You can drive it at high revs keeping steady control of the clutch but after about half an hours driving it usually loses all power. It stutters around 800 like the other chap craig's did and then recovers but sometimes it doesn't recover. It's also hard sometimes to get the revs up quickly after easing off the accelerator. It will cut out then too. I haven't taken it on any long drives (appart from one attempt) since the malfunction cos I usually get stuck after about 10-15 miles of driving where it won't move at all. It will start but won't rev over 2000. Has already been to one mechanic who couldn't sort it. Will try another.
 
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