Help! Power Issue Has Made My Mechanic Suggest Sale!

[Bex 1]

Fellow GTI nuts,

I am distraught. My fantastic mechanic has just suggested I get a new car for the sake of safety after a major power loss on the road. I have a little girl so if i can't make sure the car's safe I may have to consider it. Sob.

I've had two issues recently, though I'm not sure they're connected. First, electrical: I had a step-by-step death trying to get out of the supermarket carpark the other night. subwoofer died first, then lights, then all electricity. The RAC re started me, said battery was taking charge. had been through a few major puddles maybe, so this might have caused numerous electrical issues i guess. Or it could just have been a run down battery... we checked the connections, but i'm not convinced, nor is my mechanic.

Second, major power loss on the road - but no electrical loss this time - acceleration didn't come when I put my foot down then all power gradually fell away. I managed to get in to the side of the road as if in neutral. Can't remember in the panic but I don't think the revs were getting through - think it just went to idle level despite putting my foot down.

Any thoughts welcome. Can't face the thought of getting rid of my gti.

So far on a similar thread I've found these suggestions:

- Fuel line kinked

- Battery connection loose

- Battery touching AFM plug

- Dizzy signal cable

- AFM wiring too old

- Air filter bracket broken and resting on air meter

- Water in fuel tank due to a leak?

Any ideas how my issue fits with these or other causes. I have had the odd stall recently when the car's cold - but what do you expect in a 23 year old?

xxThanks peeps xx

[omega 82]

get a new mechanic!

its a old car so will have issues/character

[rallyeash 155]

I wouldn't get to hept up. It won't be anything serious atall, but may take a bit of time to solve.

 

Those symptoms could just be bad earths. Earlier this year my track car kept cutting out, no power to start etc. tracked it down to the earth off of the battery.

 

So if you go out to the car now what does or doesn't it do?

[Alan77 78 1 Cars]

Check the dizzy cap, rotor arm and leads for moisture and condition. Any moisture will affect ignition.

[Bex 1]

ok, thanks guys. happened again today. loss of power (feels a bit sluggish all the time but then lost everything). took a long time for the revs to drop from the previous speed to idle - almost like the accelerator was just disengaged. pulled in. put it in neutral. revs started coming through again. no power issue with it from what i can see. subwoofer didn't flicker.

[dcc 855]

Are you ever local to aberystwyth? If so I can have a look over it if you need

[Stu 18]

The engine power part of it sounds fuel related; when was the last time the fuel filter was changed? I'd be looking at fuel pump and the supply to it, especially when linked to your other electrical problems.

 

I wouldn't be too scared off by your 'mechanic' as its probably a simple fault but he's shying away because electrical faults can be difficult to find!

[jackherer 543]

Likely candidates are the tachymetric relay or the distributor signal wire. When it loses power does the rev counter drop straight to zero or does it gradually go down as you slow down?

[Bex 1]

Are you ever local to aberystwyth? If so I can have a look over it if you need

Ah you kidding?! I broke down for an hour in halfords car park the other night! I need you on speed dial mate!

[Bex 1]

The engine power part of it sounds fuel related; when was the last time the fuel filter was changed? I'd be looking at fuel pump and the supply to it, especially when linked to your other electrical problems.

 

I wouldn't be too scared off by your 'mechanic' as its probably a simple fault but he's shying away because electrical faults can be difficult to find!

changed the fuel filter yesterday. running much nicer, until, you know, the complete loss of power. fuel pump and supply... wouldn't that shudder/sputter first?

[Bex 1]

Likely candidates are the tachymetric relay or the distributor signal wire. When it loses power does the rev counter drop straight to zero or does it gradually go down as you slow down?

revs dropped slow, really gradual, completely unaffected by gas pedal. tachy relay and signal wire. making notes. thanks loads guys.

[Anthony 1,003]

fuel pump and supply... wouldn't that shudder/sputter first?

Not usually if the fuel pump stops - just tends to lose power and pressing the accelerator has no response.

 

As above, next time it happens and you're driving along, look at the rev counter - if it drops straight to zero even with the car in gear and the engine turning (but lost power) as that will give a big clue as to where the issue lies.

[jackherer 543]

If the rev counter drops slowly then the ignition is probably OK, at least the low voltage side, there could still be an issue with the distributor cap or rotor arm but the distributor signal wire, ignition amp and coil are doing their job.

[Bex 1]

could it be the chip? it feels like an electrical fault in the fuel management - no stuttering or misfiring - just cut out of signal between the pedal and the power. i drove through a lake of a puddle a few weeks back.

Are you ever local to aberystwyth? If so I can have a look over it if you need

and i really meant it - if you're in aber that's a wicked offer. i'm an hour away - there pretty often.

[welshpug 1,666]

he's down the road a bit near cross inn.

[Weser 30]

I have had this happen to me on two separate occasions with two different fault. Firstly it was a dodgy connection on the ecu coolant temperature sensor then the second time it was the dizzy signal cable, as previously said. Not saying that either of those are your problem just what I have experience. After it stopped mine wouldn't start again for a while then would be fine for a bit after then it would cut out again.

 

Anyway what I found to help identify what it was is to carry a spare spark plug in the car then when it cut out I could whip an HT lead off and use the spark plug to see if it had a spark or not - basically to help me find whether it was fuel or ignition.

[ScoobyJawa 23]

Mine kept having no power. Changed the HT Leads, found one of the contacts was rusty and its been great ever since.

[scbond 15 1 Cars]

Not saying it's your issue with regards to loss of engine power but mine did this once with a dodgy AFM. Spoke to someone else on here and described what happened and he immediately said AFM. I'd try testing a known good one before replacing, though I just replaced mine as I was certain that was the cause of that and other issues...plus I wanted a spare once I get around to having it refurbed.

​

​As for the mechanic...find a new one! There is nothing ever wrong with a car that cannot be fixed. Only circumstances should lead to sale/scrapping.