1999 Jetta, random stalling, any ideas?

crillee · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 06:57 AM

Hello! Let me start of by saying I don't have a lot of knowledge about cars but am looking for any help. I have a 1999 Jetta that I would like to have last a bit longer. It has 92,000 miles and seems to always have something wrong. Here is the latest... it randomly stalls. There is no conistency to it. It can go for a couple of weeks and run just fine, then out of nowhere stalls. The last two times I was idling, once to pull out of a parking lot, the other time just sitting in the parking lot. This last time I noticed it felt a little "rough" just before it did it. But it does nothing else, just stops as if you turned off the engine.

I get no check engine lights, nothing. After it stalls, it takes a couple of tries but then it starts and is fine. I have taken it to a VW expert mechanic who has no ideas, says there aren't any error codes. The only current thing I do know is wrong with the car is that they said my booster tubes (is that right?) are cracked. That was discovered on visual inspection, not through any error codes.

I know this is like finding a needle in a haystack, but does anyone have any ideas?

Thanks much!

Musicmaaster · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 06:50 PM

many people come here with idling issues...many of which come down to either a dirty MAF or an ignition coil....

One thing you can do and which is easiest is to look at the ignition coil...it on the drivers side on the firewall right at the top....pull that off and check for cracks or any moisture in the coil...if it is cracked then replace it...another thing to look at is the ground connections on the coil for corrosion...i had idling issues as well so i looked at my coil and it was fine..but i went to put it back on and my ground wire was corroded, so i just cleaned it up with a knife and some baking soda and water solution and it cleared up and it runs perfectly...

if this does not work then try cleaning your MAF...but usually the coil is many peoples problems around here as they are very common...

and the booster tubes?!?!?!?!? never take your vw to a dealer to repair because unless your car is throwing codes they will do crap all about it...they dont want to do any other troubleshooting at all...its easier for them to attach a computer and check it...not like the old fasioned way of actually inspecting parts...

crillee · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 07:43 PM

I appreciate your feedback....thank you! Would the things you mention just cause idling problems or the stalling too? I know the MAF can cause a lot of problems and that is something I was thinking about.

Now, the booster tubes... do you question that they need to be replaced?
I did not take it to a dealer, I know better than that

I took it to an independant mechanic who is well known in the VW community here and only works on VW's and Audis. I guess what the mechanic is saying, is because they can't reproduce the stalling... they don't know where to start and they don't want me to spend money but just replacing things on a "it might be this" basis. In all honesty, I don't know what booster tubes are... even "car" people I know aren't sure....

Musicmaaster · #4 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 05:59 PM

if they are bad enough then yes it will cause stalling...because once the motor does not have enough spark fuel or air it will stall...pretty simple really....and yes it could be something as simple as a dirty MAF or a bad ignition coil...

as far as the booster tubes go i was questioning why the mechanic thought that? cause me too i dont know what they are i think he was just thinking of nothing better to say....

tbing · #5 (**permalink**) 02-12-2009, 09:20 PM

Check the O2 sensor. My old Jeep would stall after starting unless I kept the RPMs up, had that replaced and it fixed it.

jwardmls · #6 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 07:55 AM

the mech was probably refering to the rather large hose coming out of the side of the intake manifold. these hoses or vacuum lines are often refered to as booster hoses because of the large amount of vacuum on them... id say if there was a crack or hole in that hose it could cause some problems but im having the same problem with my 95 2.0 and im leaning more toward maf. ive cleaned it and ive looked at the ignition coil but it looks good and dry. still having the same issue...