hi all,

when driving along the engine cuts out? rev couter falls to 0 revs engine is off? clutch is fully up then it just starts back up again? its really weird!

its happens when just driving normally no bumps, not after accellarating just normal motoway driving. its happened at about 60MPH and 40MPH.

Had the battery off the other day but have checked and checked again the connections and they are solid!

anyone got any ideas what could be causing this problem??

thanks

 

Dodgy TDC sensor or connection ??

Or coil/ignition amp, engine earth etc ?

Could be lots of things, have you changed anything jus before it started happening ??

jb

 

Ignition amplifier failing is most common. Obviousy any connection problems can cause this, but the IGNAMP is the common one in my experience of this issue.

 

hi james

as stu said , it also could be where the car loom joins the engine loom , thats what was wrong with mine same simptoms

marco

 

hi people,

thanks for the replys. How serious a problem is this? is it easy to fix or a bastard job?

All I did was take the battery off to charge it then put it back on!! although the wife then took it for a run and left the fooking lights on!! had to jump it of a diesel passat! could jumping it have caused the sensors to fail??

Is it at some point just not gonna start?

where would I start with the problem? Ignition amplifier, coil or TDC sensor?

thanks

 

The TDC sensor is quite easy - just need to get underneath the front of the car. The connector breaks down first because it's old and exposed to the elements. If it becomes disconnected (ie by bouncing about while driving) the ECU doesn't know when to fire, and things stop running. Wiggle the connector with the engine running, and if it cuts out, there's your problem. It's restarting again while your driving because you're effectively bump starting it.

 

As said do a wiggle test, the sensor itself rarely fails, mostly just the connector pins get slack, the pins can be pushed together a bit more but won't last, new connectors can be put on from the likes of polevolt.co.uk, or solder direct.
tabetha

 

Thanks again,

Im a bit of a numpty when it come to stuff like this!! can you try and direct me to exactly where the sensor is? I have no idea what im looking for!!

pics would help!!!!

thanks

 

Down on your hands and knees, my friend

Find the crank pulley with hopefully all four teeth in tact at the front of the engine.

On the right (looking from the front) is a bracket, with a device pointing at the pulley - this is the TDC (Crank Position Sensor). It will have a 6 inch cable coming out of the back of it, which meets up to the loom with a 2 pin multiplug. Wiggle and play with this multiplug with the engine running. If the engine cuts out, there's your problem.

 

Ignition amp is next to teh battery. Secured with 2 screws. Item is Ł40.

 

And the coil sticks out like a sore thumb in front of the coolant header tank - of all the places!

 

Cheers guys!!

will check this at lunch time!! bit of luck its the TDC multiplug and I can just soldier it!!!

muchly appreicate all the help!!

thanks