VR6 loss of power

[KeithS]

Hi, my wife's VR6 (1997 vintage) has started playing up today. She has had problems with it losing power while driving and occasionally the engine cuts out. I took it out this afternoon and power did seem to be generally down on normal, also on starting it promptly cut out but did start again.

I'd check the fault codes but where is the OBD port? The rosstek site says its above or beside the ashtray, but I can't see it - have pulled several of the dash inserts but can't find it! Anyone?

Also if anyone's any idea on what might be causing power loss / stalling I'd be glad to hear!

[KeithS]

Found the OBD port at last! Edit: for anyone interested, you remove the ashtray, then slide the blanking piece of plastic to the left of it (and above the cigarette lighter) to the right to expose the port.

The fault codes I am seeing are:

01259 Fuel pump relay (J17) sporadic - open / short circuit

01247 Activated Charcoal Filter (EVAP) system solenoid valve (N80)

00553 Mass Air flow sensor (G70) sporadic - short circuit to positive

00518 Throttle position sensor (G69) sporadic = open / short circuit

So what do I need to do to fix these?

[KeithS]

Arrgh! Well I cleared the fault codes, ran the engine a bit and checked them again and only the mass airflow sensor code was still showing. So ordered a new sensor and fitted it, well it didn't make a bit of difference

Seems like its misfiring as you accelerate, also there seems to be a slightly rattly noise coming from the engine at low revs.

Read codes after taking it out for a run and the fule pump relay one had come back! Now before I order one of those, does anyone think that will solve the problem or is there another explanation for the power loss / misfire / whatever it is? Might there be a problem that does not show as a fault code?

[KeithS]

Anyone?

[Crasher]

Change the ECU relay. It has 109 printed on top, is at position 3 on the fuse box (top row, third from the left) and is available from VW under part number 1J0 906 381 A for £13.48. Also check the wiring at the plug for the AMM under the rubber boot.

[KeithS]

Thanks Crasher I will give it a try.

[KeithS]

I checked the relays and there doesn't seem to be one to match that description.

One the top row I have (from left to right)

1. Empty
2. 72
3. Empty
4. 18
5. Empty
6. 191

and on the bottom row

1. Empty
2. 99
3. 36
4. Empty
5. 53
6. 167

Also checked the wiring for the sensor and everything looks OK.

[Crasher]

Sorry, I missed the year, the 95 to 98 dosn't have an ECU relay, it is direct feed from the fuse box. Are the same codes still coming back?

[KeithS]

I'm not getting any fault codes now. Although I did get the fuel pump fault code yesterday.

Starting from cold its running rather lumpy as if its misfiring, pressing down on the throttle the revs increase rather slowly. Could it be the coil pack perhaps?

[Crasher]

Coil pack leads or plugs, I would do leads first. My Blue Igniters are rather nice!

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