Scirocco Register

Had the Rocco 18 months now and over several thousand miles its been great.

On Monday, however, having just driven back from Chelmsford (probably just under a 2 hour drive) the engine conked out.

It would start but die immediately. I did manage to get it to rev a bit but it only lasted a couple of seconds but enough to allow me to coast home yep, it was that close. the in tank pump didn't have its usual fairly high pitched whine, a much "slower" sound. Pumps only been in maybe a year.

Later that evening it started up fine - as if nothing had happened.

A bit concerning as we are/were due to take it on hols to Cornwall shortly.

Any ideas what might have occurred?

Thanks
Jeff

Check the relay? Cheap enough to always have a spare in the glovebox.

GTXTRA wrote:Check the relay? Cheap enough to always have a spare in the glovebox.

Exactly what I was going to say, I had this happen to me going to a show a couple of years ago, 70 miles no problem then just went!
I always have a spare as Sean says (in both cars!). I have one in my for sale thread, can't get it until Saturday though.

Just because the lift pump is a year old I dose not mean it's not at fault as I expect it's not a VW lift pump?
I had the same problem for about 3 months, for a week or 2 no problems then you could hear the pump go quiet and the car would not run well so stop the car and wait a minute and start it up and it's fine, I fitted a new lift pump and it's been fine for 4 years.
As already mentioned check the relay and if it does go while out you can either bridge the 2 bigger connections where the relay fits or remove the relay below it, no 18 and put that where the fuel pump relay fits and that will make the pumps work with the ignition on.

I have PM'd you Jeff.

Ian,

turning out this should maybe be in the electrical section!

here's the fusebox

[URL=http://s716.photobucket.com/user/j ... .jpg[/img] [/url]

WTF!!!

I see what you mean Jeff, there isn't even a relay there! It looks as if the fuel pump will run constantly with the ignition on.

The fuse box needs dropping out and the wires tracing but I think that someone has bodged it because 1. They didn't want to buy a new relay or 2. The fuse box is damaged at the rear.

What are you like at getting stuck into a job like this? Give me a shout if you need a hand.

P.S. I moved the thread into electrical!

I always keen to get stuck in but I don't have any depth of experience with electrics so would definitaly appreciated some more experince on hand!

Was planning to use the Rocco for a trip to Cornwall but the blip has dented my confidence in it a bit atm so we'll probably use the (immensely boring) Prius which is a real bummer.

I'll be in touch maybe w/e of18/19th?

Cheers
Jeff

I am not sure if I will be free yet that weekend, I will know nearer the time mate but more than happy to take a look.

Shocking what some people do to get around a problem in a fuse box, that is really not safe how it is as the fuel pump wont switch off if the car is in an accident and will keep pumping fuel under high pressure.
Good 2nd hand fuse boxes are not that much money so if the problem is at the back of the fuse box they are straight forward to swap.
At least someone has fitted a upgraded 99 wiper relay so you should have programmable intermittent wipers, do you know how they work?

Cheers Ian, 'twas just a thought!

Mark, the 99 relay was me as my Corrado's got one. When I found out it was a straight swap, it seemed like an easy upgrade
I've acquired a fusebox from Ian so that'll be sorted in due course.

Jeff

If you are looking to get a new fuel pump relay try and get a VW one as the new after market ones from GSF etc seem pretty poor quality.
There is a couple types out there, ones which prime the fuel pump when you turn the ignition on and some that don't and they have have a different rev limiter fitted so I'll try and find the info and numbers for you.

Found some reading for you, with relay, fuses and where the wires in the back of the fusebox go
My 1988 Mk1 golf cabriolet (same as Mk2 Scirocco) has the No.62 relay fitted which does not prime
http://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.php ... g-layout_2

and some more here, Mk2 Scirocco towards the bottom of the page
http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?2 ... usebox-FAQ

No.62 relay on ebay
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Audi-Seat- ... 3f3d90b324

Well, my hand was rather forced on this matter yesterday!

Symptoms had become more frequent, with audible fluctuations in the buzz of the lift pump, occasional "holding back" on acceleration and cutting out when the clutch was depressed (although it always started again). It was to be honest becomng a bit of a pain to drive.

Finally however, yestarday things were getting much more frequent and it finally cut out out and wouldn't restart.

So got the car recovered to my local garage (who are not unfamiliar with my various vehicles!) and we'll see what they say.

Cheers
Jeff

Well, we now have a new main fuel pump but although it runs fine, ithe engine oes still cut out at fairly random times!

Any suggestions as to what we could look at?

Cheers
Jeff