Golf mk4 1999 1.6 idle problems

My 99 golf 1.6 just wont idle steady and also sometimes takes a few turns to start it up?

A heavily covered subject on here for the AKL code 1.6 SR engine. To start with you need a fault code read to see what is shown. At the same time, have the throttle body removed and thoroughly but gently scrubbed clean internally using aerosol carb cleaner. Then the refitted throttle body has to be re-adapted to the ECU using a diagnostic computer system in Basic Settings 04 Group 098 but not before what is known as the learnt values have been erased form the ECU in Adaptation 10 Group 00, read and save.

cheers pal you dont get more of a precise answer than that

Hi Danball,

Crash is a legend for ansers, have a look at my post, same problems, hopefully will get the thing sorted! Costs..advise - sell the car!

would this also cause a slight vibration through the accelerator pedal. and sometimes it feels almost liked the pedal is being pulled away from my foot?

Yeah we have the same problem, the idle just go's up and down between 400/800 revs and then just dies, and the occasional feel of the pedal getting pulled away from you at times...

This problem was fixed by getting the throttle body cleaned, however if this is done, you will have to get the ECU reset, try find a local specialist rather than VW.....

But then I got the problems of my revs jumping between 800-1200..and then power loss! Got the lamda sensor replace, then the coolant tem sender and then the throttle body costing me £550... Power loss was fixed, but the revs are jumping like mad at the moment, so apparently its the ECU which now needs replaced, managed to get one from ebay for £50, £40 to fit it, and lets see if that works.... Will let you knowe next week... But I suggest you go get your throttle body cleaned, thats cheap and then getting the computer reset will tell you if its fixed or if there are other problems..

The pedal moving slightly under your foot is correct, that is the throttle body stepper motor making corrections (correct or not) which alters the slack and feel of the throttle cable at small openings so you can occasionally feel it working. Even when working correctly you will still feel this occasionally, it is not a fault.

Thanks guys, will get someone to have a look and post the results soon