WTF?

[PrimaVW]

So I was driving and all of the sudden the car decided it didn't want to drive anymore. I was revving the engine but it was sputtering a lot. Will drive but stalls if u get off the gas, backfiring. Engine sounds horrible at idle, metal sqealing sound every so often (not constant), ticking around the accesories (2.0)... I was thinking its the alternator not giving enough spark to the cylinders, oil pump, fuel pump... what the hell is it? This sucks, I hate when I can't drive my car!

[monkey54it]

first things first, have you done anything to it recently?

[Mtetkosk]

I'm assuming you have a CEL...or if you don't you definately have pending codes...im pretty sure autozone will scan your car for codes for free, if you can make it to autozone or a similar store. i think they may even let you borrow it if the car isn't driveable. or if you have a vag-com or live near a dubber who does you can always hook that out for the codes.

the solution of your problem, the codes will tell you my young padawan

[PrimaVW]

first things first, have you done anything to it recently?

No I haven't made any mods ot it.

I have a code reader just haven't been able to hook it up yet.

[halfofnothing]

check the vaccum fitting on the top of your throttle body, they sometimes will come out and cause a rather large vaccum leak which leads to the sputtering and stalling at idle. aside from that, pull the codes.

[Fourt1thirty]

Almost sounds like it skipped the timing belt.

[PrimaVW]

Also, If you have the door open while the engine is running and give it throttle the courtesy ring (that sound your car makes to let you know the door is open) falters (starts over and over instead of steadily beeping)

[PrimaVW]

Almost sounds like it skipped the timing belt.

Nope, Idles fine.... the second you get on the throttle it stalls out... checked the distributer and timing... they work, maf is ok,

engine threw the following codes... Fuel too rich, O2 sensor (makes sense i have a gutted cat), MAF or VAF, crank sensor....

I have a feeling most of these codes are a result of one... help! Volkswagen dealers won't let me speak to a mechanic without towing the car there...

[PrimaVW]

Ok, so we changed the ignition coil and the fuel filter... no dice... pulled the idler pulley and timing belt... i'll let you know how that goes.

[cloudbreakmd]

Originally Posted by PrimaVW

Also, If you have the door open while the engine is running and give it throttle the courtesy ring (that sound your car makes to let you know the door is open) falters (starts over and over instead of steadily beeping)

Ignition switch?

[PrimaVW]

Ignition switch?

You mean Ignition coil? cuz we changed that out. Chances are its the idler pulley... it seized... but we had trouble finding TDC... so I hafta rip everything apart and find it again... any tips?