Andrew Johnson Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Hello, I have just purchased a 1997 (P reg) VW Sharan from the car auctions. It's done 133 miles on the clock, one previous owner. I have a few questions I wouldn't mind some advice on? I have searched the forum to answer them but it's all a bit mind boggling! Anyway here goes with my questions:- 1. The service book is only stamped up to 20K so I have no idea if the timing belt has ever been changed and if it has when it was changed. Is there any easy way of finding this out or should I just get the timing belt changed anyway? Someone suggested that if you remove a cover you can view the belt and by examining it you may be able to tell if it has been changed. I have been quoted Quote
Guest Sockett Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Ayup, Is this bargin a Petrol or a Diesel? Id change the belt ASAP if I was you and as for service intervalsI do my cars every 12 months, every 7/8k ish. Unless your rust is really bad... Id erm save your money. Enjoy Quote
Guest Sockett Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Ha Tdi Sorry must be blind :) Quote
Guest Sockett Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Can't complaine at that money m8 can ya, Get that belt changed though. there only only Quote
cyborg Posted February 26, 2011 Report Posted February 26, 2011 Ring last owner cheeky i know but you've nothing to loose chances are there be friendly most galaxy owners are :) Quote
Andrew Johnson Posted March 7, 2011 Author Report Posted March 7, 2011 Oh dear I have a problem! Only 3 days into getting my Sharan home and I now have intermittent starting problems...... The car sometimes starts and drives no problem. However on other occasions it starts and then immediately cuts out. When it cuts out the oil warning light flashes a few times. The engine oil is up to the max and I just changed the oil and oil filter so everything is fine there. I can't work out what the problem is and why the engine is cutting out intermittently. Could it be a faulty fuel filter? Could it be a faulty oil pressure sensor? Could it be my spark plugs? Could it be a fault in the wiring between the engine and the ECU? I added some Redex Diesel Fuel Cleaner stuff to the tank although only filled the tank up half full. Could I have too much fuel cleaner mixed in with my fuel and could this be causing the engine to cut out? Please help! Quote
cyborg Posted March 8, 2011 Report Posted March 8, 2011 I just changed the oil and oil filter so everything is fine there. I can't work out what the problem is and why the engine is cutting out intermittently. Could it be a faulty fuel filter? Could it be a faulty oil pressure sensor? Could it be my spark plugs? Could it be a fault in the wiring between the engine and the ECU? I added some Redex Diesel Fuel Cleaner stuff to the tank although only filled the tank up half full. Could I have too much fuel cleaner mixed in with my fuel and could this be causing the engine to cut out? Please help! I just changed the oil and oil filter so everything is fine there.What oil did you use brand and numbers on can please.Could it be a faulty fuel filter? unlikley, no harm changing it for futureCould it be a faulty oil pressure sensor?Does glow plug light on dash flash?Could it be my spark plugs?Erm diesel's use glow plugs no harm changing them Could it be a fault in the wiring between the engine and the ECU?Some wires do deteriorate over time but its comon for power relay to fail think its 109 which is 3rd level of fuse panel philips screwdriver rec !I added some Redex Diesel Fuel Cleaner stuff to the tank although only filled the tank up half full. Could I have too much fuel cleaner mixed in with my fuel and could this be causing the engine to cut out?No So the really important bit of all this is oil type. please let us know. Quote
Andrew Johnson Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Posted March 8, 2011 I just changed the oil and oil filter so everything is fine there. I can't work out what the problem is and why the engine is cutting out intermittently. Could it be a faulty fuel filter? Could it be a faulty oil pressure sensor? Could it be my spark plugs? Could it be a fault in the wiring between the engine and the ECU? I added some Redex Diesel Fuel Cleaner stuff to the tank although only filled the tank up half full. Could I have too much fuel cleaner mixed in with my fuel and could this be causing the engine to cut out? Please help! I just changed the oil and oil filter so everything is fine there.What oil did you use brand and numbers on can please.Could it be a faulty fuel filter? unlikley, no harm changing it for futureCould it be a faulty oil pressure sensor?Does glow plug light on dash flash?Could it be my spark plugs?Erm diesel's use glow plugs no harm changing them Could it be a fault in the wiring between the engine and the ECU?Some wires do deteriorate over time but its comon for power relay to fail think its 109 which is 3rd level of fuse panel philips screwdriver rec !I added some Redex Diesel Fuel Cleaner stuff to the tank although only filled the tank up half full. Could I have too much fuel cleaner mixed in with my fuel and could this be causing the engine to cut out?No So the really important bit of all this is oil type. please let us know. Thanks for your help. I used the following oil... Castrol Edge 5w-40Fully Synthetic The glow plug light doesn't flash. It comes on when you put the key in the ignition and then goes out after about 5 seconds as per most diesel engines. When the car cuts out straight after starting the oil light flashes a few time. Any help you can offer is much appreciated. Would a Vag Com be able to identify a fault? If so what Vag Com would I need? I already have this one for my Skoda Octavia (although still to use it).... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-K-CAN-1-4-OBD2-Commander-Full-AUDI-VW-Skoda-Seat-/270710886864?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3f07a051d0#ht_4193wt_1141 Quote
Guest Sockett Posted March 8, 2011 Report Posted March 8, 2011 Ayup (Welcome to the "I've just bought a Galaxy BUT club") I'm in the same boat mate.Your oil light does come on when the engine cuts out! I think! try stalling it does it do the same thing? i would suggest your barking up the wrong tree. Let us know Quote
Andrew Johnson Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Posted March 9, 2011 Put my car into my local garge but sods law it has started every time for them so they have not looked at it yet. Went down to the car this evening and low and behold it cuts out as soon as the engine has started. Once it cuts out I can hear a ticking noise coming from the engine for a good 5 or 6 seconds after the engine has come out. I think the ticking is coming from the fuel filter but can't be sure? My mechanic says it's likely to be an electrical problem as the car only cuts out intermittently. Again any help would be appreciated? Quote
Andrew Johnson Posted March 9, 2011 Author Report Posted March 9, 2011 The frustrating thing about the internet is that the more you look the more likely causes you come up with! From searching a few other forums I have come up with the following as possible causes:- 1. Faulty MAP Sensor (Manifold Absolute Pressure) 2. Faulty MAF Sensor 3. Number 109 relay (fuse box) - this powers up the ECU 4. Number 167 relay (fuse box) 5. Engine speed sensor (or crank position sensor) 6. Engine speed sensor (or crank position sensor) 7. Power up relay for the ecu (this is a different one to the fuel pump relay iirc) Quote
Andrew Johnson Posted March 10, 2011 Author Report Posted March 10, 2011 I think I have finally solved the problem....... I THINK! When I bought the car it came with three keys. One with a fob and two basic blade keys. The fob key was not working so I opened it up and put two new batteries in it. When doing so a small black thing fell out the key (I now know it to be the transponder chip). I thought it was a bit of old plastic and disposed of it and didn't place it back in the key. Thereafter I have been randomly using all three keys for the car, not really paying attention to which one I was using. I have now worked out (I think and with the help of my mechanic) that the engine was only cutting out when I was using the fob key (minus the transponder). Could it be that the engine starts and then cuts out if the transponder is missing from a fob key (i.e. the immobiliser kicks in)? I really hope this is the reason for the problem because I am not fussy for the fob key in any case. The plan now is to keep using the basic blade key to see if the engine will continue to start without cutting out. Quote
marinabrid Posted March 10, 2011 Report Posted March 10, 2011 sounds like the key fob, i got one cut for ours a while ago just a blank key to open the doors with no chip in it, it starts the car it runs for about 5 seconds then cuts out,. get your vagcom plugged in and see what faults it comes up with. Quote
Andrew Johnson Posted March 12, 2011 Author Report Posted March 12, 2011 It's definitely the fob. I am delighted..... I didn't buy a dud at the auctions after all! Quote
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