Two snags

[Kirky76]

One is the car will completely die on whilst driving, everything goes dead until I play with the key and it sparks back to life.
Two the car stalls when cold ok when warm, when the engine is coming to a stop and the cutch is pressed the revs drop to almost stalling but then pick upto 800 rpm.
Its j plate 91 scala with a 1.8 injection engine.

[the edmundator]

One is the car will completely die on whilst driving, everything goes dead until I play with the key and it sparks back to life.

Sounds like the ignition switch to me.

Not sure about the second problem.

[haddock_n_chips]

Had the same problem with car dying whilst driving, Like Ed said it was the ignition switch behind the key barrel
See here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MK1-2-SCIROCC ... 3641.l6368

These were fitted to VW, Porsche, Audi etc... in many many different VAG cars, you might be able to find a cheaper one if you search around

The other problem sounds like an air leak somewhere in the vacuum system or incorrect fuelling or leaking injectors or the little rubber seals around the injectors have perished. Pop one of the injectors out and have a look at the seals. Careful though as sometimes they leave the seal behind in the injector hole.

Mine had a similar issue, turned out to be a combination of the seal and the injectors sit inside a plastic shroud which is screwed into the cylinder head. These stop excessive air getting into the mixture. One of mine was broken, so in effect an air leak in the system and incorrectly fuelling the car

Any way this is all completely speculative! and probably not what is wrong with your car!

Best bet is to get it to a specialist or have a read around the forum for DIY tips to check similar symptoms :)

[Kirky76]

How difficult is it to replace? Thanks for the responses ignition switch is on its way.

[mark1gls]

Check the idle screw on the back of the throttle body, they can work lose and let air in as the rubber seal goes hard with old age.
You need a 7mm spanner to adjust the idle, increase the idle to 1200 rpm and back down to 950-1000 rpm and see if that helps as these cars are fitted with an anti stall device which may be what is keeping your car ticking over.

The seal can either be replaced or a little thread lock will hold the idle screw in place.

Position of idle screw on throttle body.


My idle screw which used to work it self lose with old seal fitted next to new seal.


New seal fitted next to old seal.


The plastic shroud which the injectors sit in are best replaced with the head off as if they some out like mine did there was alot of bit's falling off them when I unscrewed them and this is what I was left with.

[haddock_n_chips]

Even with the head off the injector shrouds can be a bugger to get out!

I have a spare head but cant get them out (unless i break them!)

You can get spare ones from VW Heritage, they are only a couple of quid each

Fitment of the switch isnt too bad, invest yourself in a haynes manual and it'll talk you through it fairly well!