'99 1.9TDI Octavia Cutting Out

[gregozo]

Hello! First post, but hope someone can help. Couple of months back drivers door lock failed, could turn key but wouldn't unlock door and key would get stuck, got round that and living with that problem but ever since door lock incident the car cuts out, completely and without warning at fairly regular intervals. It has become dangerous to drive. My wife who uses it mainly has said she opens and closes all the doors and locks/unlocks doors a couple of times and it starts again. Main dealer doesn't think door lock and cutting out are connected (by phone). Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[caxton house]

Hi
I had this type of problem
in the end my garage stripped the fual system down right back to the tank and found that there where rubbish in the tank blockintg the outlet pipe
when sucked down these then floated back up when the car was turned off and would run again for a little while untilthey got sucked down again

Paul

[gregozo]

Thanks Paul, the way it cuts out though, like instantly, makes me think it is the immobiliser cutting in. Might be wrong but I can't see it being a fuel problem myself.

[Crasher]

I can’t see a way the convenience system (what controls the door locks) could be connected to the engine cutting out, the only link is the air bag system which pops the door locks in the event of an air bag deployment at the same time as cutting the engine. I would start with a fault code read and if no codes are found, change the engine ECU relay. If you provide me with some more details of the car such as engine code I can tell you where this is and the part number.

[gregozo]

Thanks crasher, by engine code I presume you mean the number? which is 186081, 1999 1.9 TDI. Problem for me is I live on a small Med. island where they can fix Landrovers and Morris Minors no bother but anything 'electronic' is an issue, so I am pretty much on my own. I thought it was unlikely to be connected to the door lock problem but you never know on these modern(ish) cars

[AwesomeSarah]

May be worth checking the fuel pump relay
IIRC it is relay 109
http://briskoda.net/forums/
Check on that forum for more specifics on the Octavia
Sarah

[Crasher]

No, that is the serial number of the engine, I need the three letter code that comes before that, like ASV.

The ECU relay is 109, not the fuel pump relay.

[gregozo]

Thanks again, but only have engine number and car is a couple of miles from the house where it conked out last night. Vehicle ID number is TMBZZZ1U1X2214691 if that is any help? Maybe the TMB is the bit you need?

[AwesomeSarah]

No, that is the serial number of the engine, I need the three letter code that comes before that, like ASV.

The ECU relay is 109, not the fuel pump relay.
Sorry my dear
I can`t remember what the fuel pump relay is , but I must admit , a few Octavia`s have had the issue
Sarah

[gregozo]

Thanks Sarah, certainly something to look at, where are the relays located, do you know?

[gregozo]

Just been reading another thread about a Beetle 1.9 TDI with identical problem to mine, he changed Relay 109 to no avail, someone else suggested the crankshaft position sensor, and it turned out to be the fuel pump relay 167 (on a Beetle) as Sarah suggested, think I might be getting somewhere here guys, thanks a lot.

[gregozo]

Anyone know how you test the relays, especialy with an intermitant fault?

[Crasher]

Bump this later so I see it at home.

[gregozo]

Hi crasher. is this what you mean by bumping? Cheers, Greg

[Crasher]

Yes and just in time, I was heading bedward.

It has an AGR code engine.

The ECU relay is at position 12 under the dash and has 109 printed on top, VW part number 1J0 906 381 A.

As it is a distributor pump engine it does not have a fuel pump relay.

[gregozo]

Thanks mate, appreciate that, so my only option is to replace the ECU relay? Met a bloke tonight actually in a local bar who claims to be able to diagnose the problem - we will see! Will keep you posted! Ciao Greg

[gregozo]

Just looking at my Haynes manual, looks like you have to take half the car apart to get to the relay? Anyone know any short cuts? I would be prepared to cut a hole somewhere if it makes things easier.

[Crasher]

Don’t be daft! You remove the lower dash covers, thats all.

[gregozo]

Thanks for that, never did trust Haynes much - they were on about removing the steering wheel etc etc! Having a hard time locating a 109 relay, seen 1 on ebay which says it is a fuel pump relay?? Who would you go to for a relay? bearing in mind it would have to be sent to me. Thanks again

[Crasher]

There must be a dealer where you are, presumably Malta so

Continental Cars Ltd
Testaferrata Street
Msida
MSD02
Malta
Telephone: 2133 9960, 2131 6791
Fax: 2131 0480

[gregozo]

Thanks crasher, just from past experience it's sometimes quicker to get stuff sent directly. Appreciate your efforts though, Cheers.

[gregozo]

Well a happy ending I think - agent in Malta had the 109 relay (€15.88) and a door lock repair kit (€3.36) and both sent over to me arriving yesterday morning. Replacing the relay was a doddle (old big black type original) with the new grey type. So far so good, did 30km yesterday (a lot for me) and not only is it not cutting out it seems to be running a whole lot better all round.
Thanks once again to everyone who contributed to this thread, Cheers!

[AwesomeSarah]

It is so nice to hear of a happy ending
Nice one
Glad it is all sorted
Sarah

[gregozo]

Yep, still going good, starts much better, runs much better, and more importantly the wife has got her confidence back in it and drives it!

[AwesomeSarah]

:biglaugh: happy days , nice one
Sarah

[gregozo]

All I need to do now is figure out the juddering on tickover ....

[Crasher]

Possibly a dual mass flywheel failure (is there a knocking from the box area) but again, I would start with a fault code read which I presume you have not had done yet.

[gregozo]

Hi Crasher, I started another thread on this issue, but no, haven't had fault code read yet, just the engine moves around more than I would consider 'normal' on tick over and gives a sort of 'jigga jigga jigga' sound, no knocking and she runs smoothly and ticks over smoothly. Been doing it for ages though.

[AwesomeSarah]

May be worth checking the dog mount bushes
They do wear quite a bit
Then go on to engine mounts
Sarah

[99999richard]

Thanks Sarah, certainly something to look at, where are the relays located, do you know?


change the relay numbered 109 its a very common fault on these cars.
relays are drivers side remove panel where the streering coulum goes. they just push in.:beerchug: