GOLF TROUBLE, PLEASE HELP!

HELLO EVERYONE!

I HAVE A '97 GOLF TREK 2.OL MANUAL TRANS. IT HAS 188 000KMS AND I BOUGHT IT USED, SO I HAVE NO HISTORY ON THE CAR.

THE PROBLEM THAT I'M HAVING STARTED HAPPENING AS SOON AS IT STARED GETTING WARMER OUTSIDE. WHEN MY ENGINE IS HOT, AND LET'S SAY I'M STUCK IN TRAFFIC, AND THE RADIATOR FAN COMES ON(1ST SPEED OK), 2ND SPEED, THAT'S WHEN IT STARTS, EVEN QUICKER IF I PUT THE A/C ON. OTHERWISE, WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, IT RUNS FINE. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.

WHAT HAPPENS IS: THE CAR WILL START JERKING (BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH IN MY SEAT) ON ACCELERATION WHEN STOPPED, WITH A LACK OF POWER, ESPECIALY IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR BETWEEN 1000-3000 RPM. AND AGAIN, ONLY WHEN ENGINE AND WEATHER IS HOT. IT SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT TOO, BUT HAPPENS OFTEN. I'VE ALSO NOTICED A GENERAL LACK OF POWER IN ACCELERATION, IT DID IT TO ME A FEW TIMES IN 2ND GEAR.

ALSO WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I GET A SMELL OF GAS IN THE CAR, FRESH UNBURNED FUEL. I ALSO NOTICED MY IDLE TENDS TO JUMP FROM 900 RPM TO 1000 RPM WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTS.

I HAVE CHANGED MY COOLING SENSOR, BECAUSE THE SCAN SAID ''COOLING SENSOR SHORT TO GROUND'' AND IT DIDN'T HELP. I ALSO CHANGED MY FUEL FILTER, THINKING IT WAS CLOGGED, BUT NO HELP. 5 MONTHS AGO, I HAD TO CHANGE MY SPEED SENSOR TOO.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, AND WHY IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN HOT (LIKE STUCK IN TRAFFIC).

I ALSO CHECKED MY SPARK PLUGS AND THEY ARE OK. DISTRIBUTOR IS OK TOO. IT SEEMS TO BE MAYBE SOME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. SOMEONE SUGGESTED TO CHANGE THE CHARCOAL CANISTER. WILL IT HELP?

HOW DO I FIX THIS PROBLEM? ANY SUGGESTIONS? HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE TOO? IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A MONTH, AND WOULD LIKE TO FINALLY FIX IT! IT'S ANNOYING, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NICE WEATHER COMING! I JUST LOVE MY CAR, AND WANT IT FIXED! PLEASE HELP!

IF ANYONE CAN SUGGEST SOMETHING OR HELP, IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

THANKS!

Very Happy

Dear GolfTrek Lady,

I am not sure is this method will help you in your case But you can try out!!
First, did you check your diagnostic tool VAS5051 or 5052 by fully authorise volkswagen dealer? If yes carry on next.
You can ask your authorise dealer if their's a possible update software to your ECU that's according to vehicle specifications.
This may come in handly, if does so. If not, carry out next.

Does your engine runs on fuel injections system!! Yes & try to service your throttle body in your trusted technician or authorise volkswagen dealer. This;s my help cause of sluge that covers the tiny holes in your throttle body.
Last is your distributor assy. If it show defect in camhalf sender that would be in your distributor assy.
Before start changing parts, do the checking first.
Hope you can resolved all your worries. Cheers , Merci.

Thanks for your reply.

I'm still having my trouble...I have re-scanned my car, and no codes or check engine light shows up. I haven't tried scanning it while the problem is happening...

I have changed the whole distributor assembly. No help. That software update for my ECU sounds expensive !

I guess I can try to clean out my throttle body, that might help. I have already put a fuel injector cleaner, and nothing. I'm still confused why all this is happening when hot...

Thanks for your help, (even if you are really far away..hehe) if you have any more ideas, let me know !

Merci,

Thea

hi, it sounds like you are having misfire problems. when your fans are on and you are at the top of your shift, your engine need all the ignition power it can deliver so if the ignition is not at the top of its game it will misfire. Things to look for: after maket plugs, wires, cap and rotor. cracked ignition coil. or broken ignition wire. Things to do: bring engine to tempature and spray the ignition wires and ignition coil with water( ignition coil located on firewall behind engine, the size of a ring box) if you see a spark replace what ever sparks. ***spray with water bottle not garden hose***. vw ignition parts very important.

Thanks for your reply !

I have changed my ignition coil recently and no change. Same with distributor and cap changed. My garage told me in can be the 109 relay, that when it gets hot (which it does, to a point I can barely touch it) it can cause my problem. I changed it with a used one from an other golf in the garage, and the same.

I have tried spraying my ignition wirs and coil...but I think my engine was not hot hot to the temp. this usually happens. I will try again. It makes sense what you say: when your fans are on and you are at the top of your shift, your engine need all the ignition power it can deliver so if the ignition is not at the top of its game it will misfire.

Weirdly, for about 2 weeks, it didn't happen anymore, and I drove a lot, 700 kms in two days. I thought it fixed itself....Volks have minds of their own. It still does it but less intensly and not so often...anyways, summer is soon over, and I might just have to live with it t'ill next summer and try again.

Any other suggestions, let me know.

Thanks for helping, it's greatly appreciated !

Thea

Got same problem with you GolfTrekGirl..anyway am i going to replaced my Vw golf part?

Hey Kotty,

I'm not too sure of what part are you going to change on your car ? You have the exact same problem as me ? What did you do so far ? You sound like you might speak french...write in french if you want.

If we both have the same problem, we can maybe help each other out here.

Keep me posted.

GTG

Wow!! I have the exact same problem with my Golf 95 2.0. The usually starts happening in the summer when it is above 85F and I get stuck in traffic. I discussed this with my mechanic and he looked at me like I was crazy. I have replaced my MAF and ignition coil.

Please post the solution if you find it.

Hi,

So, we have the same problem..i'm not alone!!! Did it do anything changing your MAF and ignition coil ? I changed my coil too, but not the MAF. Let's keep each other posted, and maybe we will finally figure out what's wrong.

Thanks,

Thea

No, I still have the problem. Since it is now cooler it will be impossible to debug. It never happens when it is below 85f. My next attempt will be to get a tune up kit from germanautoparts.com which includes STI performance wire set , Bosch cap & rotor and 4 Bosch FR8DS Silver spark plugs. I will keep you informed if this fixes the problem but I will not know until next summer Sad

.

Ok cool......thanks, and let me know !!!

Good Luck !!!

Thea

Ok, I replaced my plugs and cables. When It warms up more I will let you know the results.

OK several things to check. One as someone already mentioned, your distributor. There is a Hall effect sensor in the distributor. Once the vehicle gets hot the sensor may be going in and out. Two, There is that black round connector on the engine. Check that for corrosion and proper terminal tension on all the wires. Three is ECM(electronic control module) this is the main engine computer. This may be internally failing. This will not set codes as its "acting up". Hope that one of these solutions remedies your concerns!

_________________
Remember folks, Its a Volkswagen!

Thanks jovanavichs for you input.
When I replaced my cables the number 2 cylinder wire was corroded at the spark plug. All the others were good. It is not warm enough to see if this solved the problem.
Will keep you posted.