Afternoon. I originally posted a topic on a couple of months back. I am at a loss now for what to do next so if the more technical amongst you can give me some second opinions, I'd be very grateful. This going to be a long post so bear with me.

Car - modified 2001 Octavia 4x4 (see sig for mod summary)

Problem - cuts out @ 6krpm in 1st, 5.5krpm in second and 5krpm in 3rd/4th/5th. Also nearly everytime I do a left with any degree of lock, even at low speeds ie 15-20mph in town. I can put my foot to the floor when it happens and 3-4 secs later it resumes. I have also noticed this week that going down a sliproad with I guess more than 20degrees gradient causes it to cut.

If the car is static it will rev to the 7krpm limit. If the car is moving, it will rev to the limiter in neutral. It doesn't matter how gently I bring it up to the point it cuts out.

Other than this the car has never run better. It gets 2-3 mpg more on my commute to work which is consistently the same road at same speeds, and pulls like a train until i hit the above speeds. I don't drive like an idiot and rarely need this engine speed - it's the cutting out on bends that really is p1$$1ng me off.

Fault codes - None except 16804 Cat Efficiency, which it has always had, due to the map - sport single Cat is fitted. Passed MOT well in range so excluded this. Also Brake Light Switch but I have replaced this now.

Work done by Jabbasport and me.

1st visit to Jabba - went in for 20k service - oil,filter,Haldex oil,brake fluid.

Between visit to Jabba, fault occurred.

Back to Jabba to have cambelt,water pump etc, Front ARB bushes, top Y shape breather pipe that always falls to bits and fault investigation.

Diagnostics done by Jabba.

Coded and tried another ECU without APR Stage2. Same. Tried another throttle body after cleaning it. Same. Replaced fuel filter. Same.

Kev @ Jabba's data logging showed it wasn't running lean when it cut out.

They replaced the crank sensor too. Same.

Jabba left scratching their heads, as they say they have never seen this before.

Since having the car back I have replaced the plugs and checked the coilpacks. They are all 2008 "R" variants ,so not in the recall. Swapped them back in reverse order ie 1 to 4, 2 to 3. Same.

I have also checked the MAF by disconnecting it. Had the tracking/alignment redone as it was considerably out after the ARB work.

I also disconnected the ABS/TCS by disconnecting one of the ABS sensors just to be sure as I repaired the wiring just after Xmas.

No difference :S

So, where I go from here? I have googled for hours on VAG forums without finding anyone with quite the same problem.

I don't think it's a boost leak problem. If it was, I would expect it to cut out only under heavy load and not round corners.

I am going to spray the engine this afternoon with a soapy solution after I have changed the front brake discs and reconnected the ABS.

I am now thinking replacing the fuel pump is my next port of call as has been suggested by one member before who had a similiar problem, but on a Ford. The pump does engage when I open the door, so doubt it's the relay as would expect some grounding codes on the injectors or fuel pump to show.

Can anyone suggest any VAG-COM measuring blocks to measure? The other thought I had was that one of the lambda's or N75 is stuffed, but wouldn't I expect a code for these? Would have expected Jabba to pick this up too.

Aside from this fault, I love the car and want to keep it but I am also aware that I am now into 4 figures and the car is worth more to break than to trade in or sell with the fault present... I have read up alot on the various faults and whilst not a mechanic, i am fairly handy with a spanner and Haynes manual and will not give up on this.

Cheers

sounds liek it migth be worth doing a live running log - Vag-com or whatever its called can be used to record live data from the car

get it hooked up and do a run that causes all the problems then get those logs looked at?

just a thought but have you traced all your intercooler lines and made sure they are secure - full left lock could be causing some kind of movement/rubbing/????(what knows?) on the intercooler

After all that... just been out and tested it having replaced the brake light switch this morning - and IT FLIES - no problems at all. I am made up - p1$$3d off and relieved all at the same time - a f$$cking £10 part has cured it, and was showing on the VAG-COM as a fault all along. I'll leave this post up in the hope someone else doesn't have to suffer the pain. :D

Did you never ask jabba to replace it?

Glad you fixed it though and can have happy motoring

Edited 14 May, 201115 yr by urbanfox

It was at Jabba for a month. You would think it would have showed up in that time....

Hi

is this the one that had most of the work done @ Awesome? as I seem to think I know the car

I can see how this will be an issue with the engine , as that is all for the anticipation of cruise control too...

Well I hope it has cured it for you , as if it is the one I was thinking of , it is a cracking car that has been well looked after

Sarah

Seems all your tinkering is coming back to bite you. (Sorry)

The switch is dual circuit, one for the lights and one for the ecu, your ecu bit was goosed, and thought you were braking.

I had this back some time ago and posted it up on here.

You must have missed it whilst searching

Seems all your tinkering is coming back to bite you. (Sorry)

Mmmmm , not the nicest post I have seen

Sarah

Mmmmm , not the nicest post I have seen

Sarah

Agreed. How does tinkering with a car come back to bite when it's a brake light switch failure? It happened to me on a standard car before now.

After quite a few happy backroad miles this afternoon , I think I have nailed it. Not reconnected the ABS yet, so until then not completely sure.

@(ex Awesome) Sarah - yes, it's the one your thinking of. Has a very comprehensive wad of Awesome receipts for everything done. Thanks for your posts.

@Fatty5000 - not searched in this area until found a post (by DGW I think), explaining how the Haldex worked. As I found the 562 break light code, I figured I'd buy one in the motor factors whilst picking up some brake discs this morning.

@giandougl - not my tinkering, car bought modified and it's been 100% reliable up til the fault. I like to think now that my tinkering and persistance has paid off and fixed a problem that far more experienced and knowledgable people, overlooked completely.

I hope this helps someone else in future.

Agreed. How does tinkering with a car come back to bite when it's a brake light switch failure? It happened to me on a standard car before now.

+1

After quite a few happy backroad miles this afternoon , I think I have nailed it. Not reconnected the ABS yet, so until then not completely sure.

@(ex Awesome) Sarah - yes, it's the one your thinking of. Has a very comprehensive wad of Awesome receipts for everything done. Thanks for your posts.

@Fatty5000 - not searched in this area until found a post (by DGW I think), explaining how the Haldex worked. As I found the 562 break light code, I figured I'd buy one in the motor factors whilst picking up some brake discs this morning.

@giandougl - not my tinkering, car bought modified and it's been 100% reliable up til the fault. I like to think now that my tinkering and persistance has paid off and fixed a problem that far more experienced and knowledgable people, overlooked completely.

I hope this helps someone else in future.

Hi

What do you mean ex? will ALWAYS be awesome , wether I work there or not LOL

Oh , that is one stunning car , and to be fair wether it has been `tinkered` with or not , that issue would have come up anyway , on a fully standard car

But THAT car is a lovely car and superbly cared for and superbly modified

Congrats on a stunning car

One of my fav`s

Sarah

Glad your all fixed up and a happy bunny. ()

Didn't realise car was modified by a previous owner, hence my out-of-place short earlier statement.

Apologise's to each offended member.

Glad your all fixed up and a happy bunny. ()

Didn't realise car was modified by a previous owner, hence my out-of-place short earlier statement.

Apologise's to each offended member.

I don't think anyone is particually offended just the fleeting comment didn't really help lol.

Just changed the front discs/pads and reconnected the ABS. All fine on test drive, no faults :D I am a happy bunny.... finally...

@(Always Awesome )Sarah - thanks it is a very good car and well modded by Awesome. Shame they're a 3 hour drive away.

@ giandougl - not offended, but I was at the point of giving up on it and your comment wasn't best placed :wonder:

So, if your Octy is cutting out and won't rev , try checking your brake light switch (!) It'll probably rattle like my old one does....

Just changed the front discs/pads and reconnected the ABS. All fine on test drive, no faults :D I am a happy bunny.... finally...

@(Always Awesome )Sarah - thanks it is a very good car and well modded by Awesome. Shame they're a 3 hour drive away.

@ giandougl - not offended, but I was at the point of giving up on it and your comment wasn't best placed :wonder:

So, if your Octy is cutting out and won't rev , try checking your brake light switch (!) It'll probably rattle like my old one does....

My god, I think you may have solved MY problem with this info.

I have the same cutting out but only seems to be round left hand bends. I don,t drive like a maniac (usually he he ) Will go & get the switch next week, don't suppose you have a part No. to hand ??

Did you have any lights come on, ABS ESP ?? as these keep coming on when first starting up but go off after a mile or so if you turn the engine off & on again !!!

Cheers :)

Did you have any lights come on, ABS ESP ?? as these keep coming on when first starting up but go off after a mile or so if you turn the engine off & on again !!!

Cheers :)

Hi part number is 1J0 945 511 E . Mine a pattern part made by "Intermotor". If it fails, I know where to look now.

I didn't get the abs/esp lights but gave my sensors a clean this afternoon when changing the discs. Used a piece of thin plastic with a piece of clean rag over it. Suprising the amount of crap that came off them.

Good luck! Let me know if it worked.

Hi part number is 1J0 945 511 E . Mine a pattern part made by "Intermotor". If it fails, I know where to look now.

I didn't get the abs/esp lights but gave my sensors a clean this afternoon when changing the discs. Used a piece of thin plastic with a piece of clean rag over it. Suprising the amount of crap that came off them.

Good luck! Let me know if it worked.

Great, thanks for the info, will set about tracking one down, & cheers for the heads up on cleaning the abs sensors, had to replace the front ones about 12 months ago, & there was lots of c**p around so probably need a clean up

Thanks to Modra for posting the resolution; this is how we learn to do this stuff faster and cheaper than the stealers do!

Fatty, I don't remember your mention either.

Sarah, your awesomeness should be utterly beyond question!

Edited 16 May, 201115 yr by KenONeill

Found it

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/126678-is-it-the-maf/page__p__1615691__hl__brake+switch__fromsearch__1#entry1615691

2 Yrs ago lol, I thought it was only a few months back, time flies etc etc

Hi part number is 1J0 945 511 E . Mine a pattern part made by "Intermotor". If it fails, I know where to look now.

I didn't get the abs/esp lights but gave my sensors a clean this afternoon when changing the discs. Used a piece of thin plastic with a piece of clean rag over it. Suprising the amount of crap that came off them.

Good luck! Let me know if it worked.

Well fitted a new switch yesterday (£10 from local GSF), doesn't seem to have cured the lights on the dashboard, :S but not had any cutting out since so fingers crossed on that one

Updates to follow :yes:

Well fitted a new switch yesterday (£10 from local GSF), doesn't seem to have cured the lights on the dashboard, :S but not had any cutting out since so fingers crossed on that one

Updates to follow :yes:

Well still got the lights coming on when first starting but turn off & on seem to sort them out ???????

Still not had any cutting out, so look like that problem has been fixed

Well still got the lights coming on when first starting but turn off & on seem to sort them out ???????

Still not had any cutting out, so look like that problem has been fixed

Good news FOZ1! I scanned my car again yesterday for faults and all clear too. No cut outs since and certainly no lack of performance.

BTW, my brake lights always worked, so must have been the ECU circuit only that was broken.

This might be a shot in the dark but on my fiancee's Honda auto, if you start it with your foot on the brake, the ABS light does not go out. Worth mentioning just in case ...

This might be a shot in the dark but on my fiancee's Honda auto, if you start it with your foot on the brake, the ABS light does not go out. Worth mentioning just in case ...

O/T, but I've this notion that on my parents' 3 Honda autos (last and one before that Civics on X and S repectively, and last Jazz on a 57) you need to apply the footbrake before the engine will start.