1.8T broken down - Help!

[Nige P]

Just had to tow the Mrs home as the A3 had died for the 2nd time tonight. the first was half hour earlier on a busy roundabout so the Feds towed her to a layby, they left and it started. The RAC said they would be at least 75 mins so I followed her home instead, but 10 mins later it cut out again.

It had done this a few weeks back so I checked for fault codes and it just had one for intermittant speed sensor, so I fitted a new one thinking that was the end of it!

Each time the engine cuts out it would appear that she is either changing gear or just pulling away, so I am wondering if there is a critical sensor or something to do with the clutch position???

I towed it to the local garage (Rover specialist) but when we got there it started fine, so took it home again thinking there's no point leaving a running car with guys who don't know A3's inside out.

Anyone got any ideas??

Nige

 

[s3dave]

fuel pump....ignition module.....coil packs..... you need it vag comd to be fair

 

[Nige P]

had new ignition module and 1 coil last yr. Vag Com didn't show anything after the first breakdown apart from speed sensor, which I've changed.

Could really do with getting it to my VAG Man, but don't think it will make it

 

[Nige P]

Just did another scan to be sure:

1 Fault Found:
16706 - Engine Speed Sensor (G28): No Signal
P0322 - 35-10 - - - Intermittent

Same as before. Now I understand that it is normal for this code to show up as the engine isn't running. Tis unlikely that the new sensor is also faulty.

So what could be failing but not registering on vagcom?? What about relays to ECU or fuel pump, would they bypass the diag system??

The lawn mower petrol can in the shed is looking quite appealing at the moment!!

 

[s3dave]

Can you hear the pump?
p0322 is that the Crank sensor? i think you have answered your own question...intermittent

 

[Nige P]

Oh Ratz, apparently I shouldn't be getting that code, it's the pre '95 ecu's. That means I've either got a faulty new expensive sensor or something else, maybe wiring??? Thought this diagnosis software was meant to make things easier

 

[DaveA3]

my old man had a similar problem on his a4 n that was the crank shaft sensor

 

[Welly]

Crank sensors getting common these days. I had one go just like that on my A3 1.8T. Let it cool down, it would run again for 10 mins, then die.

About £50 IIRC for a genuine part.

 

[Dane]

I was getting an intermittant fault from the engine speed sensor (ess), after i replaced my gear box and the speedo stopped working. There were two problems. 1. the ESS was bodged with shed loads of silicone (not likely to a problem here). 2. A small 2mm section of insulation had stripped away from the reverse sensor wiring, tripping the circuit and still giving an intermittant fault on the ESS even after replacing it with a brand new one. If Welly's solution doesn't fix it, which I hope it does, have a hunt for stripped wires.