Difficulty

Easy

Steps

3

Time Required

                          30 minutes

Sections

1

  • How to fix 1998 AUDI SEAT SKODA VW 1.9 TDI Intermittent engine failure
  • 3 steps

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  • Back1998 AUDI SEAT SKODA VW 1.9 TDI Intermittent engine failure

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Introduction

Step 1

              Diagnosing the problem
  • The engine suddently cut off very shortly (less than a second) while driving, mostly while maintaining level speed
  • You may be fast to observe the glow plug indicator lights up very briefly when the engine cuts off
  • The car may refuse to start when warm, not overheated, and then willingly start when cold again
  • You may hear a crackling sound when the temperature is below freezing and the glow-plugs has to be active for longer than usual
  • It can happen once or many times during a days driving - OR it happens only once a month - No schedule or pattern.

The engine suddently cut off very shortly (less than a second) while driving, mostly while maintaining level speed

You may be fast to observe the glow plug indicator lights up very briefly when the engine cuts off

The car may refuse to start when warm, not overheated, and then willingly start when cold again

You may hear a crackling sound when the temperature is below freezing and the glow-plugs has to be active for longer than usual

It can happen once or many times during a days driving - OR it happens only once a month - No schedule or pattern.

1024

Step 2

              Suggestion - Check the relays
  • In my 1998 SEAT Toledo 1.9 TDI (90 HP) the relay with label 109 on the top was the culprit
  • Access the relay where the fuses are located. in my car it was in the drivers side behind the small glove compartment.
  • Talk about loose connections…See inside the red box of photo 1
  • Secondly, the strip inside the relay barely touches the terminal. See photo 2
  • These two loose connections account for the erratic behaviour of the engine
  • The relay is worn out…..the copper-wire is yellowish to look at, compared to the more known copper-colored - replace the relay. Photo 3 does not clearly show it, but may get an idea

In my 1998 SEAT Toledo 1.9 TDI (90 HP) the relay with label 109 on the top was the culprit

Access the relay where the fuses are located. in my car it was in the drivers side behind the small glove compartment.

Talk about loose connections…See inside the red box of photo 1

Secondly, the strip inside the relay barely touches the terminal. See photo 2

These two loose connections account for the erratic behaviour of the engine

The relay is worn out…..the copper-wire is yellowish to look at, compared to the more known copper-colored - replace the relay. Photo 3 does not clearly show it, but may get an idea

Step 3

              Replace the relay
  • Replace the relay

Replace the relay

Buy a new relay, as used ones may be similar worn. Replace the relay and reassemble the lid to the fusebox

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Author

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                    Jan Carsten Jorgensen

Member since: 02/28/2016

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