Problems with B5 1.8T Auto Passat

[ZUU222]

Hey all,

Was driving one day in my passat, had it in tip-tronic. Next thing i know the engine suddenly slammed and felt as though I hit something, but i didn't, i then proceeded to accelerate and it felt as though it was losing power. After a couple seconds of that it went fine again.

Couple hundred meters down the road it did it again, so i pulled over, popped the bonet, everything seemed fine, jump in again, go to put it in drive, and it suddenly dies.

I then turn it back on, its all sweet, put it into drive and it dies again? This happened a couple times as i tried turning it on.

So i just sat there let it cool down, turn it on, and its running normally. I drove it home, next day, driving it around a bit, then after a while it started to lose power again so i drove it home.

Any ideas what the problem could be?

Any help would be much appriciated thank you.

[ZUU222]

.

please anyonee?

[Jmac]

Yes, this will sound weird perhaps, but you may have a fault in your abs ecu. i suggest when it starts to play up disconnect the abs ecu multiplug and see how it performs. i had the same thing with a fellow members mothers A6 running the same set up, it was a V6 however but had a ZF5HP transmission, thats what you would have. if it turns out to be this the ecu can be sent away and the connections redone. As you mention you are losing power could also have something else going on. really would need to be scanned, makes a bit hard diagnosing on line or by phone.
Hope this helps
Where abouts are you, i see QLD. Be handie to scan it and/or go for a drive, log it and hope it plays up.
Cheers
Jmac

[sci_fianime]

Could this be the result of bad petrol?

[ZUU222]

going to get it scanned would be a good idea. And i dont think petrol could cause the problem, i mean the car kept cutting out when we put it in drive, but it was ok when i put it in from Park to Neutral, correct me if im wrong?

[ZUU222]

update

Took it for a drive just then, the Panel where it has P R N D 4 3 2, when i turn the car on the whole panel is highlighted. And when i drive it feels as though its in 5th gear the whole time, very slow acceleration. I then pulled over, put it into reverse and the car jolted forward a bit, and did the same when i put it in drive.

[Jmac]

It will need to be scanned for sure, when all the lights are on you are in limp mate, you are driving around in 3rd gear.. Check your carpet isnt wet at all mate, i say this as your tranny ecu is under the carpet drivers side. If it gets water in it then you can have big dramas.

Jmac

[sci_fianime]

Took it for a drive just then, the Panel where it has P R N D 4 3 2, when i turn the car on the whole panel is highlighted. And when i drive it feels as though its in 5th gear the whole time, very slow acceleration. I then pulled over, put it into reverse and the car jolted forward a bit, and did the same when i put it in drive.

Is the autotrans leaking? Or do you have a pinkish frothy colour to your coolant?

[ZUU222]

It will need to be scanned for sure, when all the lights are on you are in limp mate, you are driving around in 3rd gear.. Check your carpet isnt wet at all mate, i say this as your tranny ecu is under the carpet drivers side. If it gets water in it then you can have big dramas.

Jmac

Alright so im screwed?

Couple weeks ago there was a ****load of water that came from no where in the rear drivers side floor, and there was no leaks, seats were fine so it didn't come from a window, still baffles me how so much water got in without a trace.

I'm just about to go jack it up check for any leaks and what not.

[ZUU222]

No apparent leaks, carpet was fine apart from that incident a couple weeks ago, and as for the coolant pink foam, there was only a tiny bit where the coolant hose connects to the actual Coolant Reservoir, and a tiny bit on the side, nothing too significant.. Do you think its possible to drive it to get it scanned? or does someone do like a "we come to you" service.

[ZUU222]

Turned it on just before and everything was fine. Looks like its something electrical so yeah, Next step. Where to get it scanned?

[Jmac]

Ok ive been subtly asking you where you are located, i do this for a living and wasnt pushing the fact. So once again where are you located????
Jmac

[Umai Naa!!]

Has it got a sunroof? If so, that's where the water would have come from. They are notorious for blocked water drains, which conveniently overflow into the bottoms of the A-pillars, and subsequently all over the carpet.

Jmac is spot-on about the water ingress into the transmission ECU, as it's under the carpet in front of the driver's seat. I've replaced a fried one once before, along with numerous repairs to the wiring in that area.

[ZUU222]

Ok ive been subtly asking you where you are located, i do this for a living and wasnt pushing the fact. So once again where are you located????
Jmac

My apologies mate, Gold Coast, around the Mermaid area.

And the car has no sunroof.

Once again, my apologies Jmac, really appreciate the help.

[Jmac]

All good mate, im back down that way after Easter to look at a couple of vehicles.
Jmac