VW Golf shaking problem (presume engine) - anyone help?

lau1247

Hi my Golf began to shake quite violently yesterday all of a sudden as I was on my way to the shop..
Then one of the light turn on and about 2 second after it just kep on blinking.

I've looked up the manual and it falls under "Exhaust Emission warning lamp" but didn't give a more detail description. So what exactly does this mean??
As of now it sounded a bit different to the usual, feels like slightly under power and still shakes quite violently whenever the car is motionless with the car running (I.e traffic light)

And has this happen to anyone else in a golf or any other car?

Yellow Snow

I have had the EXACT same thing happen to my car (Opel Corsa) in the last few days! When it first happened there was very little power (and thats saying something... its only a 1 litre ) but when i shut off the engine and restarted the car it seemed to sort itself.

But since then, same as you, when i'm stuck at lights it really starts to shake and from time to time the "Emmission" light still blinks and once stayed on solidly!

I have no idea if it's a big or small problem so if anyone can answer i'd really appreciate it too.

mike65

Sounds like your lambda sensor is borked and the engine goes into 'limp home' mode.

Mike.

Yellow Snow

Sorry to sound like a lemon Mike but I know fook all about cars Is that something major or a quick 5 minutes up at the dealers to get it sorted?

Hal1

My polo is the same but doesn't happen often. It struggles to get power and jerks about, but after a few light revs she steady's herself. The lambo ws replaced about 2 years ago. Are there any grease monkeh's that can pin point what it could be?

mike65

Yellow Snow, if it is the lambda is not a big job, a Corsa 1.0 sensor is about 120 euro I'd say.

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_LB1384.html

Mike.

Yellow Snow

Thanks Mike, appreciate it!

Mr.Diagnostic

I am not a grease monkey but will a diagnostic specialist do instead?

The 1.0 litre Corsa's suffer from so many common faults you will really need to get it plugged in somewhere.

Nobody can say for sure online but I would wager the Golf is suffering from a failed coil. VW are doing extended warranty on the Golf coils so if you are lucky you may even get it free depending on the age of the car.

cantdecide

Paid €170 for lambda for my 325i.

bazz26

The lambda sensor could just be dirty. Afaik you could try having the lambda sensor cleaned and put back on first to see if that cures the problem.

Yellow Snow

Mr.Diagnostic wrote:

The 1.0 litre Corsa's suffer from so many common faults you will really need to get it plugged in somewhere.

Not what I need to hear Only have it a few months but while I still have some warranty left I wont worry too much

bazz26

Mr.Diagnostic wrote:

Nobody can say for sure online but I would wager the Golf is suffering from a failed coil. VW are doing extended warranty on the Golf coils so if you are lucky you may even get it free depending on the age of the car.

I thought that issue was only with the VAG 1.8 litre 20 valve unit?

Neilw

Sounds very like a dead coil pack, what engine golf is it?

Mr.Diagnostic

bazz26 wrote:

I thought that issue was only with the VAG 1.8 litre 20 valve unit?

No, they are covering the Golf one's but they dont shout about it. It is possible to get the Polo ones too. The parts dept will still charge you for them unless you ask the right questions.

Of course the dealers will need to check it first to see if it is a coil problem which often means having to wait weeks. It takes 10 mins to diagnose and fit the new part.
Thats service!
I have had a few customers opt to buy coils and pay me rather than wait weeks for the dealer.

lau1247

Neilw wrote:

Sounds very like a dead coil pack, what engine golf is it?

it's a 1.4 petrol..
aww man this could not come at a worst time..
Tight on money and this situation appear..

I'm sorta glad the NCT was passed a week before hand.. phew..

Captain Slow IRL

vw's seem to have crappy plug leads, try changing them first or swap with a friend if you can find one with a similiar car

dave2pvd

You didn't mention the year, but if it is fairly new, good luck trying to find plug leads anywhere in there....

My 2c:

It's either a crapped out coil pack or the amplifier that drives the coil packs has started to die.

VAG engineering ain't what it used to be.

lau1247

the year is 03.