Engine holds 3,000 RPM randomly...

[Paul501]

Hi everyone.

I've just bought a VW Golf TSI 1.4 Auto, and it has this problem, I'm hoping I might get to the bottom of it on here?!

So the problem is every now and then (for no reason at all) the car won't rev past 3,000RPM. This can be sitting still with foot on accelerator, or when driving. No rhyme or reason as to why it does it, it just does! Now the seller said the gearbox needs replacing, but with my limited knowledge of engines I can't help but feel this is an electrical fault. The car HAS done 190,000k's which I know is very high for a 6 year old car, but the previous owner was an Uber driver and had used this car for the last 2 years doing 400 - 500k's a DAY!! ... hence the high mileage, but from my previous experience with VW's (2 older Golf's and a Polo, also a lot older) these engines can go on for far more than 200,000k.

So yeah, just wanted to pick any brains as to what could 'possibly' be wrong. Anyone?

Oh and a friend today mentioned these 3 letters .... DSG, and to Google it. Could it be??

Appreciate any help and advice ...

[Paul501]

Oh and to add it's the 7 gear auto as I understand there is also the more reliable 6 speed.

Thanks

[h100vw]

Oh and to add it's the 7 gear auto as I understand there is also the more reliable 6 speed.

Thanks

Needs scanning with VCDS ad see f there's any faults in it.

[Snail Style]

Year, engine etc?

[Idle]

Idle speed rev limiter not releasing?

[Paul501]

It's a 2010, 1.4ltr 7 speed auto.

Since the last post my OH who drives it most of the time said it's shuddering a bit when pulling away, and today there was a time when going up a hill to a T junction and when she went left the car didn't go anywhere even tho she reckons her foot was on the throttle. I've noticed when I drive it you almost have to put your foot down quite a bit when pulling away or it is a bit laggy from the start so have told her to try a little more gas when pulling away and stuff, but yeah, was a cheap buy so pay peanuts and you get a monkey I suppose. I did read a fair bit about this DSG box being problematic with the 2009 - 2011 models so wonder if it needs a software update (what I also often read is the fix), but I guess I'll have to get it tested with some kind of meter or something.

[blower]

It's a 2010, 1.4ltr 7 speed auto.

Since the last post my OH who drives it most of the time said it's shuddering a bit when pulling away, and today there was a time when going up a hill to a T junction and when she went left the car didn't go anywhere even tho she reckons her foot was on the throttle. I've noticed when I drive it you almost have to put your foot down quite a bit when pulling away or it is a bit laggy from the start so have told her to try a little more gas when pulling away and stuff, but yeah, was a cheap buy so pay peanuts and you get a monkey I suppose. I did read a fair bit about this DSG box being problematic with the 2009 - 2011 models so wonder if it needs a software update (what I also often read is the fix), but I guess I'll have to get it tested with some kind of meter or something.

The shuddering when pulling away is the classic worn/failing clutch pack that will judder/shudder in 2nd gear when pulling away from a crawl, as you would do in stop start traffic or when pulling up to a junction and moving off before completely stopping (so it stays in 2nd without dropping back to 1st). You will need a new clutch pack to fix this.

Not revving above 3000rpm could be a number of things, as above you need to get a code scan. I would think it has nothing to do with the gearbox, but more to do with a turbo problem - possibly a sticking wastegate, this is most common on the non twincharger 122ps (90KW) version of the 1.4 tsi.

[Snail Style]

Yeah pretty much as blower said, have a mechanic check out the wastegate and solenoid of the turbo. The clutch sounds as though it has crapped the bed as well.

[Paul501]

The shuddering when pulling away is the classic worn/failing clutch pack that will judder/shudder in 2nd gear when pulling away from a crawl, as you would do in stop start traffic or when pulling up to a junction and moving off before completely stopping (so it stays in 2nd without dropping back to 1st). You will need a new clutch pack to fix this.

Not revving above 3000rpm could be a number of things, as above you need to get a code scan. I would think it has nothing to do with the gearbox, but more to do with a turbo problem - possibly a sticking wastegate, this is most common on the non twincharger 122ps (90KW) version of the 1.4 tsi.

Yeah pretty much as blower said, have a mechanic check out the wastegate and solenoid of the turbo. The clutch sounds as though it has crapped the bed as well.

Ok firstly thanks for the replies.

Now day 3 the OH did the 20 minute drive to and from work. On the way there this morning it happened again. She goes up a hill to a T junction. Turns left and she says the engine just dies and the car rolls. No matter what she does to the throttle it doesn't pick up and she has to pull over. Pulls over, and then pulls away and all is fine! On the return it was fine, no dramas!

I just took the car for a test drive with her in it. Drove to the exact spot she complains about and car didn't miss a beat, she was furious ...lol, but there def is something wrong, it's just catching it happen. I've noticed the shudder type of thing is only when I floor it from the off and tbh it's just a wheelspin in my books. I know the cars done K's but don't feel like the clutch is at all wrong.

Anyway, I've ordered one of them testers to get codes from the car so will be interesting to see what that shows. The not going over 3,000k hasn't happened for a while now, but not saying it's gone away, just I haven't witnessed it over the last few days.

I'll see what she says about tomorrow's drive.

Thanks for the help tho ...

[Paul501]

Oh yeah one other thing I forgot to add. The catalytic converter warning light popped on yesterday, and is still on today. I dunno if it links to the faults, but just thought I'd mention that.

Cheers

[blower]

Oh yeah one other thing I forgot to add. The catalytic converter warning light popped on yesterday, and is still on today. I dunno if it links to the faults, but just thought I'd mention that.

Cheers

You mean the engine management light....codes will be logged for the fault, so when you get the code reader we will have a better insight into what is going on.

It will definitely be linked to the faults.

[Paul501]

You mean the engine management light....codes will be logged for the fault, so when you get the code reader we will have a better insight into what is going on.

It will definitely be linked to the faults.

A yellow light in the rev counter and after looking in the manual it says catalytic converter.

[blower]

A yellow light in the rev counter and after looking in the manual it says catalytic converter.

Yep mk6 manuals call this catalytic converter light - incorrectly so (a throw back from times when there was a dedicated cat light). It is an EML - engine management light.

It comes on for any, deemed serious, issues with the engine - ironically it's almost never anything to do with the catalytic converter. It will come on for misfires, turbo issues, vacuum leaks, boost leaks, evap emmisions issues, various sensor or actuator faults as well as O2 sensor catalyst related faults etc, codes will be logged and this light will stay on.

If it flashes and goes off its usually misfires detected. If it stays on then it could be literally anything to do with the engine and its ancillaries - only a code scan will tell you why.

[Paul501]

Well payed for the tester today and it's been posted today as well so should be here next week. can't wait to see what it shows!

[Paul501]

Oh and found a recall sticker inside of the door. Recall code 2454 done in 2010 about 5 months after the car was first registered.