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1996 passat TDI

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shankmeister

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi,
I have been having a strange random problem lately. I will be driving around just fine then all of a sudden I lose all power for a split second, the motor basically dies then everything goes back to normal again.
This happens no matter what gear I am in, speed, how hard I am reving it.
I just bought a fuel filter that I am going to put in this weekend.
Any ideas?
 
#2 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (shankmeister)

mine did this a few times, i think my accesory belt that runs the alternator was jumping. My intereior lights flickered, radio stopped working, and rps's dropped. About a week later my car wouldnt start, come to find out i had snapped the belt. This was the day before my appointement to change my TB.
Image
Had to put a new one on in my parking lot just to get it to my appointment the next day. I jacked it up onto some 2x4's to get under it..... good luck! will help all i can!
 
#6 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (shankmeister)

mine started to squeek so i got a new belt, but sat around and didnt replace it right away. It came time to change my TB before i got around to it so i ended up with another one with the kit i bought. I looked at my belt after it broke and it was really bad, dry rotted and cracked and stuff. Glad it wasnt worse. Hey, did you get your car running? I posted like a few days after you i think because my wouldnt start either... I had a leak and filled a few relays with water and fried them.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (psst97)

Yea my car is running, my steering column assembly is shot. I have my ignition switch out of the housing and I am using my old Ignition cylinder just to turn it over, this weekend I am putting the new steering column housing in. Why do I drive this car again? my 1988 audi wagon has had far less problems than this thing.
 
#8 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (shankmeister)

because you love it!! Its just more fun fixing the problems. One of those love hate relationships i geuss. My car and i are still very close after all her problems.
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I did the whole ignition switch thing last year in mine.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (psst97)

Ruh roh, While leaving the doctor and heading to work today, my battery light came on, I opened up the hood. Smoke came out of the alternator for a min or 2. I drove it to work anyhow, once I got there I cut the alt belt off, alt is shot, I can turn it by hand but the bearings grind really bad.
I replaced this thing already like 8 months ago, luckily the alt is under warranty.
Also my car still does the almost kills thing. When it does this I hear a relay click inside my dash, could this problem just a dying relay?
 
#10 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (shankmeister)

When i couldnt get my car to start, when i turned the key to the accesory position i heard a relay clicking. I was trying to run VAG on it and it said my controller wanst found. This was all before i figured out my 109 relay had been and was filled with water. They tend to go bad so i already had an extra. Have you gotten the new alternator and put a new belt on yet? That may fix your problem once you do!
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (psst97)

I dont think that putting my new alt and belt on will fix my engine almost killing problem. I have had a bad alt before but never with this problem. Currently I have no belt attached to the alt, I cut it off.
 
#12 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (shankmeister)

That's why you should check your 109 relay.
If that one is a black one, it will fail if not already.
If it's a grey one, you have the improved version.
These are not very expensive parts, so it worth trying.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (MAS3)

I removed the alternator today and have been driving on just the battery. It doesnt do the stagger deal anymore, I think the voltage regulator was shot and causing this problem.
I will keep everyone posted once I get the new alt in.
 
#14 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (shankmeister)

Most definitely the 109 relay causing the cut out, it is a $20 part from various venders.
 
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Discussion starter · #15 ·
Re: 1996 passat TDI (90 GT-G60)

Hey, the new alternator fixed the bogging problem!
But now I have a new one, check engine light turns on as soon as I turn the key to the on position and stays on while running.
I recently changed my fuel filter while I did the alt, could this be related?
The motor runs great, no air in the fuel lines or anything.
I really need to buy a vag com....
 
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