Intermittent cutting out

[uoapsdb]

1993 Golf - basic model 4 cyl not GTI/V6 etc.

The car has an intermittent fault where it cuts out completely - we've tried replacing fuel pump and distributor. Fuel is getting to the injector, the plugs are sparking.

It cut out today when the car hit a bump but this is not the regular cause. After it has cut out, when you try to start the car - the engine doe not fire and when you stop turning the engine over it seems to run backwards for a couple of revolutions and there is a little puff of smoke out of the fuel injector. Otherwise it runs very smoothly.

[Crasher]

1.4 or 1.8?

[uoapsdb]

Sorry been away from computer for a while. Golf is a 1.8 Driver. We have also changed the coil pack, relays and removed sediment from the petrol tank. Thinking now it could be either the ECU or we did manage to get the car running vey lumpy by just twisting the distributor slightly while the engine was running. Also heard that ECU's go into a 'limp back' mode and are wondering if this is being activated after a certain number of times turning the ignition on and off.

[Crasher]

Those ECU’s are extremely reliable and I have a rule of thumb that whist by no means is 100% dependable, serves me well-“it is never the ECU or wiring”.

The most common reason I get for Golf 3’s with AAM or ABS engines cutting out is a faulty fuel pump.

Now you have moved the distributor, you will have to get it properly reset which requires not only a timing light but also a diagnostic computer to put the system in Basic Settings 04, Display Group 000.

Whilst having the timing reset, you should also have it fault code read. The AAM/ABS ECU’s have very limited fault code abilities but there are 13 possible codes, a few of which could be your problem.

[uoapsdb]

Thanks for that Crasher - we are trying to do what we can ourselves before taking it to someone. We've tried 2 different fuel pumps, petrol flow to injector is fine. The car runs really sweet when it's runnig which is 99% of the time -would you still say that timing could be the reason that the car cuts out ? thanks for your thoughts.

[Crasher]

No the timing would not be why it cuts out if it runs OK 99% of the time, the timing needs setting because you moved the distributor so it is likely that it is not correct. It is a very simple system consisting of not much more than a throttle body, distributor and coil with some additional sensors A fault code read would cost you about £30 and may provide you the answer and I fear you have spent a little more than £30.