Hi

Passat (Estate - TDi 1.9 - Year: 2004)

I have an intermittent fault which cuts the engine dead.

A prolific poster "Crasher" suggested that it was the ECU RELAY called a "219".

As I'd read that to get to the housing for the 219 you had to break the seal on the windscreen, I thought it best to take it to a dealership.

The car had been sitting for two weeks, but she started first time.

I set off for the 15 mile trip to VW at Ashford (Kent). I'd arranged for them to order the 219 and just to fit the part for me.

VW had the car for about an hour, when they phoned to say that they pulled out the old 219 and replaced it with the new 219 - and the car will not start. So they put back the old 219 - and the car will still not start.

The car was left overnight at VW.

I asked the guy if while it was not working, if they'd put it on the computer. He said yes, but it is not showing any faults whatsoever.

He also said, we haven't got a clue, and at over £100 per hour it is going to be very expensive to find this fault.

I phoned the next morning to say I'll come and tow it away.

They phoned within 10 minutes to say that the car had started
(they had not done anything else to it).

When I picked up the car it started no problem.

Now as my wife is convinced that the problem is fuel related (see other posts) she thinks it cuts out when we are at just above 1/2 tank.
I decided on a quite life, and to stop after 10 miles on the way home and fill up.

After filling up - the car would not start.

Fortunately my son was behind with his van - he towed me with a BAR TOW from Halfords, which turned out to be a complete load of crap - it bent 90 degrees. I'll only use a rope in future.

While at the petrol garage I noticed a heavy coolant leak offside near the tow eye.

I had known about this leak around 6 weeks ago, and was meaning to get it dealt with asap - but it was not as heavy then.

The intermittent fault (had to call RAC out on two occasions) has only happened since this leak started.

I might be completely wrong - BUT do you think that when the coolant/engine gets hot, the water is leaking/spraying over electrical connectors and cutting out the engine?

The vehicle has been standing for nearly a week now - went out today, thinking it'll start - but no. Just turns over but will not fire.

All the lights on the dash come on and go off as they should.

Any help, suggestions to the above would really be appreciated.

While I'm here - does anyone know of a decent garage that are experienced with Passats?

I live on the south coast near to RYE on the Kent/East Sussex border.

So I could tow to say Hastings, Bexhill on Sea, or Ashford, Canterbury, or Tunbridge Wells.

Or any decent mobile mechanics out there?


Previous Posts/links;

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=52611

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=52771

https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=54259

Many thanks in advance.

Stephen