Can anyone help as VW can't seem to!

[coupey]

I hope I'm in the right place. I've got an 04 Passat 1.9TDI and have had problems with it cutting out. No warning lamps, just dies on me while I'm driving. VW first of all couldn't find anything wrong, in fact it didn't die on them!! Then when I got it towed back to them after it cut out on me again they agreed there was a problem but the computers were telling them nothing. They can't replicate the fault in the workshop but it does die on them when they take it out on the road. They put some sort of valve in and then thought it might be the fuel pump but couldn't guarantee that was the problem as the computer was saying nothing!! So they swapped the part with one from another Passat but it still broke down. They don't seem to have a clue what's wrong or are in any rush to fix it. Has anybody had a similar problem or can give me any pointers?

Thanks

[Sam]

Wait for Crasher to see this post.

I think he knows just what it is. I've sent him a PM on your behalf.

[reformado]

Hi, Yesterday I also started to experience engine cut-outs with my 04' Passat Estate tdi (47,000 miles on the clock). Both times the engine just cut out without warning, the cut outs occured when I was slowing down approaching roundabouts. The engine turned over when I attempted to re-start but would not fire. After another futile attempt I waited approx' 3 to 4 minutes and tried again, low and behold it started and ran perfectly. This was the same for both cut-outs. I have recently had my fuel filter changed, approx' 100 miles ago, until the filter change I had trouble free motoring. The owner of the VW/Audi specialist workshop where I had my fuel filter changed and where I get both my VW's serviced has an Audi on which he also has recently changed the fuel filter ( the very same filter as was put into my car) and he has just had the same sudden cut-outs - spooky!!
He is an expert on Audi/ VW stuff and he does not know what causes the fault. He ran the diagnostics on my car, no faults, was the result!! As he and I have the filter change in common I hope to have the fault identified by him soon.

[coupey]

That's great!! I will wait to hear from you!!

[reformado]

I forgot to add that The Garage Owner thinks that the cut-outs are caused by air getting into the fuel filter but when he checked my fuel filter there did not appear to be any fault with it and the "O" rings in the filter were not damaged. The mystery remains.

[coupey]

I haven't had anything done to the car since its MOT in June and i doubt they would have done anything with the filters. it's due for a service in about 300 miles, is it worth bringing it forward and asking them to change the filters? Surely they would have checked that as part of their investigations? i'll be interested to find out what happens with your car!!

[Crasher]

Firstly I would change the ECU relay, then the fuel pump relay and then the ignition switch if the relays failed to cure it, after that I would get someone else to drive it whilst I watched the live data on the screen to get a clue as to what was dropping out, possibly the crankshaft speed sensor. On the ones I have had like this, it has always been ECU relay.

[reformado]

Thanks for that Crasher. I have just got back from my now abandoned car and read your post. I went out for some vital supplies - beer, wine that sort of stuff, the car ran without problem the mile or so to the shops then decided to stop. I managed to re-start and move a few yards two or three times. I then realised that I was not going to get home in that car so I abandoned it and called the wife.
I take it that the ECU relay needs to be changed by a garage, or could I change it? If I knew what it looked like.!! The engine just seems to be struggling to get diesel. It all seems strange that the problems started with the fuel filter being changed.

[Crasher]

You can change the ECU relay yourself but I need some details to help you. I have PM'd you my email.

[coupey]

looks like that was the problem on my car too!! Thanks for your prompt not sure VW would have worked that out by themselves!!