2.0l Petrol Engin Suffering From Sudden Loss Of Power

[oblique]

I was on an A road in my 96 2.0l petrol Sharan and i had a sudden loss of power. It sounded like the engine wasn't firing at all but no dash warning lights came on and electrics were still running but the steering became very heavy. I happened to be next too a lay-by so pulled into that turned ignition off then is started fine and had no problems for the rest of the trip. When trying to leave my destination the same thing happened but it sounded like some of the postions were firing but again no power, no warning lights and heavy steering.

 

Has anyone had any similar problems?

 

Using this infinite knowledge of this forum can you guys point me at what might be wrong.

 

Thank you, James

[insider]

Possibly the power steering pump?

If this was seizing it would put extra load on the engine, reducing the power. It would also explain the heavy steering.

[oblique]

when it lost power it was a complete loss of power, it was as if i was costing with the engine off, i don't know if that makes a difference.

[turk90210]

well you have just answered some of the questions I was typing,if it was a complete loss of power it would indicate a loss of electrics or fuel, the power steering going heavy will have been because of the lack of engine, the engine drives the power steering pump via the fan belt.

I would think that it would be to do with an electrical fault somewhere but you would need to do some homework ,i.e do you have a spark when it happens is there power to the coil ect , which all depends on how mechanically minded you are

Not sure if the sharan has one but the vw's suffer from a main power relay failing which can cause intermittant problems with some of the electrics

failing that are you in any breakdown club that might be ablt to help diagnose it to at least give you a start on where the problem might lie then we might be able to help better

[insider]

A complete electrical failure would stop the engine and you wouldn't see any warning lights but from what you explained the engine was still running?

It could still be the power steering pump putting excessive loading on the engine but I would expect the belt to start slipping or even break if this was the case.

[oblique]

i am ok in theory but not much practice. The biggest problem with this is that is only seems to happen randomly (twice in 700miles of driving this weekend). It also has developed problems starting if it has been left for a while. It will turn over fine but only intermittent firing until 3rd attempt normally when it chugs into life and regains smooth idle after a few seconds. I think this must be to do with the same problem. (had new leads and plugs a month ago)

 

I did a diagnostic when it started and the only error it returned was an error in reeding the imboiliser chip.

 

Thanks for the help so far

[seatkid]

Could be the infamous relay 30 (fuel pump relay)

 

or might be immobiliser problem (try a different set of keys)

[oblique]

that would be another problem, i only have one key for the car. I will get another done and see how i get on with that.

 

Would the fuel relay come up as an error when diagnostics are run on it?

[seatkid]

Would the fuel relay come up as an error when diagnostics are run on it?

I don't think so, intermittent relay 30 is very common though.

[SwFsnapper]

Hi,

 

Any joy with this problem?

 

I just replaced the coil, leads, cap and rotor on my Mk1 2.0l Alhambra to fix a rough running problem, but during the test drive the engine cut out on me (oil px light started flashing, steering became heavy)

 

I pulled over and tried to restart, the engine would trun over but not fire. As I sat there contempating what to do next I heard a click of a relay behind the dash, tried a restart and the engine fired and I got home without fault.

 

Checked the oil at home which is fine, now I'm thinking about relay 30. But what is it? and are my sysmptoms indicative of a relay 30 fault. I wonder because I still maintained electrical power after the engine died (i.e. I was able to turn the engine over!!)

 

Your thoughts are appreciated

 

SwFsnapper

[Steven.Langdale]

This definitely sounds like relay 30 - had the same problem on 2 Gals so far.

 

You will be able to turn the engine over but it will not fire - no power to fuel pump = no fuel.

 

Change it ASAP or it will go completely at the most inconvenient moment (like a car full of kids!)

 

You could just open up the relay and resolder the dry joints - worked for me.

 

Thanks

 

Steven

[SwFsnapper]

Hi,

 

I finally solved the answer to my intermittent engine cut out, turns out it was the crank/speed sensor. I have to confess I did replace the two relays (30/27 and 167) commonly associated with engine fuel and power problems first.

 

The plug end of the replay is easy to access but there is no test you can carry out on the sensor to determine it is at fault. You can get hold of a cheap Vag Com and that will highlight the speed sensor fault.

 

I got a new sensor for