intermittent hesitaion / power loss???

air121005

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
1,609
6
Worcestershire
when i press the accelerator nothing happens!
no power at all!
the revs creep round to 2250 / 2500 and then normal power is resumed :confused:
its only started doing this a few days ago, which at the time i also noticed a "static clicking" coming through the speakers on the stereo which has never happened before! this leads me to think a sensor or electrical component is playing up, but what? :confused:

its not a constant fault, it only seems to happen after i've been driving for about 15 / 20 minutes on my commute to work.
once the engine has been turned off, it seems to be alright again.

i've searched for a solution and the only similar complaint resulted in suggesting a MAF problem. like it confirming if it is before i start replacing bits.

thanks in advance for any advice / info you have :D
 

ettlz

Active Member
Sep 21, 2006
141
0
Occasionally, rarely, I see something similar on a 52 Polo I drive (1.2 55 E). It happens at around 30 in 3rd, or 40 in 4th: it'll be accelerating, and then the power will drop suddenly (like I've lifted my foot off the throttle) and then it'll surge back again. I reckon it's a dead/dirty bit in the throttle potentiometer (having spent many operational hours near that position). Oddly, this also happened after about 15-20 minutes' driving. Normally it goes away if I stop the engine, press the pedal a few times, and then I won't see it again for months. Unfortunately, the problem didn't show up on the fault logs, and the VW techs couldn't reproduce it.

Not sure about the static on the stereo, though. That would possibly indicate something faulting and tainting the 12V line, if it happens when playing CDs or tapes. If it's on the radio, then it could also be caused by something arcing. Or it could be completely unrelated! Best of luck in finding out what's going on...
 

air121005

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
1,609
6
Worcestershire
the power / revs don't drop, the power just isn't there!
the revs do climb, but really slowly, then when it gets above 2250 / 2500 it comes back alive and the power returns
 

jay.ing

Red Blur (And soot!)
Nov 17, 2007
264
0
Southport, Merseyside
i'd say maybe somethin to do with your turbo, does it accelorate the same (sluggish) from say 1000 rpm to about 1500, before the turbo kicks in? does it happen in all gears?
 

air121005

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
1,609
6
Worcestershire
when the fault occurs its in all gears and there is no power (although the revs do rise really slowly) untill about 2250 / 2500 then normal power resumes.
i've driven it 4 times today and its been fine.
 

Tall-Paul

Previously ph2858 :D
Nov 12, 2006
671
0
Manchester and Preston
Mine started doing that a couple of days ago..........its all down hill from here im afraid! Mine got worse, started making a really loud whine/whistle and now its gone in limp mode so it feels like its got 50bhp!!

Have a look in the tdi section, a few people think its the MAF sensor
 

air121005

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
1,609
6
Worcestershire
Mine started doing that a couple of days ago..........its all down hill from here im afraid! Mine got worse, started making a really loud whine/whistle and now its gone in limp mode so it feels like its got 50bhp!!

Have a look in the tdi section, a few people think its the MAF sensor

:(

how much is a MAF? :shrug:
 

Fixxer

Guest
YES! I've had this before!

It was loosing power for about 3 seconds at a time in all gears, and also when moving off it would seem to lag about 1 or 2 seconds leading to some very scary junction situations!

It went into "get you home" mode and I eventually gave in and took it to the stealers and it turned out to be a faulty bit of wiring in the TAIL LIGHT CLUSTER!!
Or so they claimed anyway, they replaced the bit of wire and it has been fine ever since. So hopefully it could just be an electrical problem causing the ECU some problems?

All the best,

Alex
 

air121005

Active Member
Sep 28, 2006
1,609
6
Worcestershire
it happened again this morning!

I did notice that when i tried to accelerate the was loads of black smoke!

Think i'll call the dealer and order a new MAF, as the symptoms all point to this failing!
 

Tall-Paul

Previously ph2858 :D
Nov 12, 2006
671
0
Manchester and Preston
Guess what........mines 100% fine now! Lastnight i replugged the MAF sensor in after leaving it out for a few short journeys and it went back to its normal torquey self! Well chuffed, I'm not sure how long it will last though. A MAF is about £100 btw :(
 
Chris Knott Insurance - Competitive quotes for forum members