Running problems

[georgedart]

Hi all im haveing problems with my golf 2.0 8v gti it will run ok then all of a sudden it will start to lose power then starts backfireing when it is doing this the oil light apears on and the rev counter goes mad flicking up and down then snaps out of it and it will run ok again it is so random times it happens last nyt i had an enormous backfire i thought the whole car blew up but then it took of like if nothing happend if any1 can help i wld b so pleasesd
cheers george

[Crasher]

What year and engine code, 2E, ADY or AGG.

[georgedart]

its a 96 colour concept not to sure of the code

[Crasher]

AGG. I suspect you have a faulty crank speed sensor or ECU relay. Get a fault code read done first.

[georgedart]

could you tell me where i could find the sensor and relay i have a spare car so il try swapping them first cheers

[admc6]

Minehad something similar. Turned out to be crank sensor. Its under/behind the oil filter. HArd to fit, you need to support the engine and take the mount off.
The relay, is in the fuse box, no 167

[Crasher]

The ECU relay is at position 3 on the fuse board, main top row (not to be confused with the clipped on upper relays) third from the left and with the control group number 30 printed on top, part number 165 906 381. Black cased relays are originals and those made in the Philippines or Malaysia are the common problem; the later replacements have a grey case and are made in Germany or Portugal. The Crank speed sensor is on the front of the engine behind the transaxle reaction mount to the cars left of the oil filter but they do not appreciate being swapped around as removing them often leads to failure. If it is in doubt, buy only a genuine VAG dealer supplied part or one made by VDO Siemens and no one else. Hella ones from GSF are a useless.

[georgedart]

cheers thanks alot il have a look right now

[Crasher]

The relay, is in the fuse box, no 167

167 is at position 12 and is the fuel pump relay, I have only ever replaced a few of these but I keep the ECU relay in stock as I replace about one a month.

[admc6]

yeah sorry, my mistake on the relay number. I did mean to put 30.