MK2 16v Intermitent Idling problems?
Discussion
Hi Guys,
Has anyone come across this before?
My recently purchased 16v MK2 Golf has the following intermitent fault. Normally it starts and runs at the turn of the key (no throttle required) and idles bang on 1000rpm
Yesterday it would start but just died, would not idle. You could start it on the throttle but had to "hold it up". It did this a couple of times and it did not go away even when the car was warm.
This morning I get in the car fearinf the worse and it is fine again. I suspect a sensor somewhere it not working all the time, or a multiplug etc.
Anyone BTDT? I am still learning on these cars..
Cheers,
Steve
Has anyone come across this before?
My recently purchased 16v MK2 Golf has the following intermitent fault. Normally it starts and runs at the turn of the key (no throttle required) and idles bang on 1000rpm
Yesterday it would start but just died, would not idle. You could start it on the throttle but had to "hold it up". It did this a couple of times and it did not go away even when the car was warm.
This morning I get in the car fearinf the worse and it is fine again. I suspect a sensor somewhere it not working all the time, or a multiplug etc.
Anyone BTDT? I am still learning on these cars..
Cheers,
Steve
Sounds like the common problem with the ISV (idle stabilisation valve) that raises its head on some 16v's.
* First off check the fuses are all ok - it may be no.15 fuse that has gone so try checking that one first.
* check the ISV, and the ISV controller behind the centre console. The ISV should buzz with the ignition on but without the engine running.
* Check all the above first but if that doesn't help take the ISV off and leave it running in a bucket of petrol or white spirit, don't use carb cleaner as it is abrasive and can/will damage it internally.
* Also check the hose behind the heatshield hasnt become disconnected.
Try that and it should really fix the problem.
* First off check the fuses are all ok - it may be no.15 fuse that has gone so try checking that one first.
* check the ISV, and the ISV controller behind the centre console. The ISV should buzz with the ignition on but without the engine running.
* Check all the above first but if that doesn't help take the ISV off and leave it running in a bucket of petrol or white spirit, don't use carb cleaner as it is abrasive and can/will damage it internally.
* Also check the hose behind the heatshield hasnt become disconnected.
Try that and it should really fix the problem.
7 pages to trawl through here for you! 
www.clubgti.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64991&PN=1
Valvers can be odd tho, yes K jet is as old as God & I dont mean Mohammed here either before some mad tea towel heads try & firebomb me
Just ya normal C of E Henry the 8th made up Catholic 'Lite' religion so he could get divorced depiction of the old dude with the big beard on cloud with seraphims floating about type thing.
Anyway i digress I run my valver trackcar with no ISV connected & 5th injector cold start connected either, idle solid as a rock, not great to start from stone cold if chilly tho but goes with a nice big pop eventually, but my warm up reg has been modded & drilled & its high comp & not stock pistons so the swirl maybe is all odd at starts or sopmat.
>> Edited by iguana on Saturday 4th February 09:53
www.clubgti.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=64991&PN=1
Valvers can be odd tho, yes K jet is as old as God & I dont mean Mohammed here either before some mad tea towel heads try & firebomb me
Just ya normal C of E Henry the 8th made up Catholic 'Lite' religion so he could get divorced depiction of the old dude with the big beard on cloud with seraphims floating about type thing. Anyway i digress
I run my valver trackcar with no ISV connected & 5th injector cold start connected either, idle solid as a rock, not great to start from stone cold if chilly tho but goes with a nice big pop eventually, but my warm up reg has been modded & drilled & its high comp & not stock pistons so the swirl maybe is all odd at starts or sopmat. >> Edited by iguana on Saturday 4th February 09:53
This is a bit of a long shot but on my Mk II 8-valve the centrifical advance mechanism on the distributor was dry, there is a felt under the distributor rotor that wants some oil (engine oil) at least occasionally, this led to a lot of idle speed problems. 16V may be similar. Won't hurt to check and oil it if it's dry.
Also check the fuel control pressure regulator, if you don't have proper "control pressure" that causes problems.
See if you can find a pattern in when it won't idle - cold, warm, restart after being parked 15 minutes, full gas tank, empty gas tank, etc.
Also check the fuel control pressure regulator, if you don't have proper "control pressure" that causes problems.
See if you can find a pattern in when it won't idle - cold, warm, restart after being parked 15 minutes, full gas tank, empty gas tank, etc.
M3 Mitch said:
This is a bit of a long shot but on my Mk II 8-valve the centrifical advance mechanism on the distributor was dry, there is a felt under the distributor rotor that wants some oil (engine oil) at least occasionally, this led to a lot of idle speed problems. 16V may be similar. Won't hurt to check and oil it if it's dry.
Also check the fuel control pressure regulator, if you don't have proper "control pressure" that causes problems.
See if you can find a pattern in when it won't idle - cold, warm, restart after being parked 15 minutes, full gas tank, empty gas tank, etc.
Yes, you are on the right lines, I am looking for a pattern. I am half suspecting the immobiliser but I think that is a long shot. It has not done it now for two days and I have been very careful when using the immobiliser. I don't think it is a maintenance thing as such because it is so black and white. It is something not working at all and then working perfectly...
Cheers guys.
Steve
Pop the big rubber boot off the airflow sensor and you will see an ally disc on a pivot.
Air pushes this disc up as it rushes into the vacuum left by the pistons.At the other end of this disc is the fuel metering plunger.
If this disc is sticking....(test for smooth resistance by pulling up on the bolt head with a magnet).. The fuel metered will be inappropiate for what the engine requires to run at cooler temps+ starts.
If applicable there's a control pressure regulator on the front of the block near the distributor. You'll need to check the filters where the fuel lines connect to it for gunk. and measure the resistance across the terminals(looking for 22 ohms).
m
Air pushes this disc up as it rushes into the vacuum left by the pistons.At the other end of this disc is the fuel metering plunger.
If this disc is sticking....(test for smooth resistance by pulling up on the bolt head with a magnet).. The fuel metered will be inappropiate for what the engine requires to run at cooler temps+ starts.
If applicable there's a control pressure regulator on the front of the block near the distributor. You'll need to check the filters where the fuel lines connect to it for gunk. and measure the resistance across the terminals(looking for 22 ohms).
m
20vt_mk2dub said:Mine doesn't buzz. I've tried a spare from Alex and that didn't buzz either. I tried a spare controller too and it still didn't buzz... it does work though so don't get too worried if it doesn't buzz.
* check the ISV, and the ISV controller behind the centre console. The ISV should buzz with the ignition on but without the engine running.
I had exactly the same problem which turned out to be the engine temp sensor. All the procedures to test these things are in the haynes manual and the engine temp sensor is very cheap.
Mine still misfires at idle but you get used to it
Mark
>> Edited by dern on Tuesday 7th February 11:14
I do worry about that lizard.
"Valvers can be odd tho, yes K jet is as old as God & I dont mean Mohammed here either before some mad tea towel heads try & firebomb me Just ya normal C of E Henry the 8th made up Catholic 'Lite' religion so he could get divorced depiction of the old dude with the big beard on cloud with seraphims floating about type thing." WTF!! ??
Hi Mark, you met me at Alex's country retreat.
"Valvers can be odd tho, yes K jet is as old as God & I dont mean Mohammed here either before some mad tea towel heads try & firebomb me Just ya normal C of E Henry the 8th made up Catholic 'Lite' religion so he could get divorced depiction of the old dude with the big beard on cloud with seraphims floating about type thing." WTF!! ??
Hi Mark, you met me at Alex's country retreat.
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