Thank goodness I have found this site!
I have had almost exactly the same problem starting in October last year. At this point the the rpm was all over the place. The guy who looks after the car put it on his computer and fitted a new Idle Stabilisation Valve (I think).
Everything was much better untill about a month ago, when the car started to cut out out under braking and depression of the clutch. The accelerator also developed a flat spot from rest, and you almost have to slip the clutch to avoid stalling. The codes indicated the Lamda Sensor and the Engine Speed Sensor. The Lamda Sensor was replaced about two weeks ago, only for the problems above to appear:
"the car starts from cold fine.
it doesnt always tick over that great, and sometimes on the way to work it may stall when hit the clutch at a junction.
this is where the problems kick in . . . .
after a stall it takes a load of turns to start. when it does start (after I look like a chump in the traffic) it runs like crap"
The problem got much more intermittent, but it still hadn't gone away, so I had it checked again, and the code for the Engine Speed Sensor came up, so on Thursday that was replaced, thinking all my problems would be solved.......
I still have the flat spot on the acceleartor from rest, almost as if there is a blockage or the engine is choking momentarily, and last night it stalled on me twice! Great!
From this thread I have picked up: Coil Pack, Fuel Pump and Temp Sensors.
Elsewhere I have picked up that the idle problem can be caused from the vac hose (7mm smooth rubber one on right side of engine) that purges the fuel vapor canister. It is formed like an "s" and melts on the manifold.
For a while now I have had an intermittent petrol vapour smell (mainly from the boot), so I am thinking that may be this could be the problem?
Also:
Check the throttle body for binding, and the cable. Follow the cable from the pedal to the throttle body, look for fraying or binding at the guides
and
could the sensor inside the distributor not be working properly?
My immediate thoughts are:
1) I need to VAG COM the car? What is the difference between this and the diagnostic codes that my mecahanic is getting out (I am assuming he hasn't got VAG COM)
2) Would any kind person in Surrey who has the kit be prepared to VAG COM the car for me? I have checked, and it is a 16 pin, even though it is an L Reg 1994.
3) Can anyone recommend to me a local VW Specialist in Surrey (not a main dealer), who would be able to look after such tricky problems as this, and stop me from going bankrupt?
Any ideas on the best way forward from here, everyone?
Thanks very much!
