Hey there, about two months ago I got a MK3 octavia vrs from 2014 in petrol. Everything has been perfect so far till about two weeks ago when I noticed the rpms to jump around and then the engine would shut itself off. The issue only happens when the car is cold and doesn't happen every time I start the car.

I went to a mechanic for a checkup today to see what's going on but they could not find why, despite replicating the issue by mechanic himself. The car has no engine light, has power, pulls nicely, basically nothing wrong but that, and only when it's cold.

They told me to drive the car till the engine light comes up or when it fully dies and won't start, which I find ridiculous....

Anyone could share any advice in this matter ? Thank you kindly.

Posting a imgur link since video file was too big. https://imgur.com/a/1c9HfrQ

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Can you describe better what the tacho is actually doing - are the revs just dipping before the engine shuts down, or are they increasing and decreasing (I.e. very unstable idle) ?

Hey, thanks.

Well, I can kinda feel the engine suffocating itself (unsure how to really describe it) before the rpms jump around and then it just shuts itself off. The imgur link I posted at end shows it, unless I'm understanding your question wrong.

The rpms are only the way they are in the video I linked. Nothing highly unusual than that, no big jumps in the rpms. Only that and then it dies.

Did the mechanic put a diagnostic tool on?

My first guess would be Mass Air Flow sensor getting inconsistent readings causing fuelling problems.

Try unplugging it, and see what it does then. If it settles down and doesn’t do the bounce there’s your answer. Without the sensor plugged in the ex just reverts to a default condition and an assumed airflow rate and fuels according to that.

They did put a diagnostic tool yes, I asked if they found any codes but they told me there weren't any. Might go get one myself to check and see.

Will try that method thanks

Someone on another place I've asked suggested that it could be a failing pcv valve, any thoughts on that ?

Check DTCs for any faults recorded, good suggestion for MAF sensor, also check for anything concerning crank/cam position sensors - although reports of these failing often quote reluctant starts.

Yeah, crank sensor tend to be hard starts, rather than rough idle.

Great thing about the maf check is it’s easy to do. Just unplug it and turn the key. It either resolves or it doesn’t.

I'll try the maf sensor. My issue is that, that this problem doesn't happen all the time. Sometiems it does sometimes it doesn't.

Hey so, my engine has no MAF sensor but map (CHHB), but I have found codes even tho mechanic told me that there ain't none...

I’m open to being wrong, but I’m pretty sure you have both a maf and a map sensor on your engine.

Also do you have a code translation for those above? They seem to be proprietary codes from the tool you’re using

I'll let you know when I'm back at the car.

Searching online gives me no answer if my engine has both or one of them.

I've been looking thru the PDF of service training for the third generation of ea888 engine and there is no MAF. Only map. You can see it on page 46, or if you search for G71 in the search option.

Scribd

EA888 GEN3 -DESIGN AND FUNCTION-SSP_820533_2_0_TSI_4_30_2014

Official manual of the VW EA888 GEN3 1.8L and 2.0L TSI Engines.

2 hours ago, mac11irl said:

I’m open to being wrong, but I’m pretty sure you have both a maf and a map sensor on your engine.

Also do you have a code translation for those above? They seem to be proprietary codes from the tool you’re using

^^^ Agree with this for the DTCs - they aren't in the usual VAG format.

Edited 18 October, 202518 Oct by Warrior193
correction

So am I still supposed to look for MAF sensor and unplug it to see what happens ? Or do it with both. 🤔

I can confirm that CHHB engine does not have a MAF.

So checking MAF is out of options, can the same be done with map?

Doubt it.

Been away for a while but here are the codes, if anyone wants to take a look. All the other ones I posted above are inactive/not cleared from the past.

Car Scanner ELM OBD2

Version: 1.121.0/1.121.0/iOS

DTC report

Connection profile: Skoda MQB: TSI/TFSI EA888 Gen.3 (1.8L; 2.0L >200 hp)Date: 10/20/2025 3:45:01 PM

VIN: TMBAE9NE5F0xxxxxxx

============================

OBD-II

No DTC found.

============================

19. CAN Gateway

No DTC found.

============================

09. Onboard supply control unit

No DTC found.

============================

02. Transmission control unit02. Transmission control unit

DTCs: 1

----------------------------

10763 [0x002A0B]

P173400: Starter release from the selector lever sensor system

Status: Test failed (current drive cycle)

============================

03. ABS control unit

No DTC found.

============================

01. Engine control unit01. Engine control unit

DTCs: 1

----------------------------

15077 [0x003AE5] Archive (inactive)

P050700: Idle Control System, RPM Higher than Expected

Idle Control System RPM Higher than Expected

P050700: Idle Control System, RPM Higher than Expected

Status bits: 1

Priority: 2

Frequency: 1

Unlearning index: 255

Odometer: 171118 km

Date, time: 2025.10.17 12:17:39

Engine RPM: 1018 rpm

Calculated engine load value: 8.63 %

Vehicle speed: 0 km/h

Engine coolant temperature: 83 ℃

Engine oil temperature: 41 ℃

Barometric pressure: 99 kPa

Klemme 30 voltage: 14

Paramteric values:  20 96 20 11 0E 02 11 EC 02 11 DC 03 45 11 ED 1F 10 A6 01 9D 11 EE 1A 11 DB 05 D7

Status: Test failed since last DTC clear, Test not completed during this operation cycle

Have a look at your throttle body, it may need cleaning and so is allowing too much air through if it’s sticking a smidge. Also the Idle Air Control valve.