Car dying issue

[mellbergVWfan]

Hey guys, I've had some issues with my Mk1 recently. The car will die after I've been driving for 20-30 minutes. When I try to get it to start again, it will try to crank over but just wont catch. I think it's a fuel problem but I feel like it could be ignition too. It has been pretty hot lately and some of the suggestions already thrown at me at Fuel Pump Relay or Fuel Accumulator. I apologize for the vagueness, but I'm still fairly new to the Mk1 world. Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

The car is a 1981 Mk1 Scirocco S with a 1.8 8V HT code running CIS.

[TheTimob]

Which ignition system does the car have?

I think 81 cars had that digital idle stabilizer crap that was evil.

An HT code 8v had a knock sensing ignition?

[mellbergVWfan]

Which ignition system does the car have?

I think 81 cars had that digital idle stabilizer crap that was evil.

An HT code 8v had a knock sensing ignition?

Yes it's using a Knock sensor Ignition. I can double check which system specifically with the previous owner.

[mellbergVWfan]

So I checked the fuses and relays under the dash when I got home. And I have 2 relays with a fuse and 1 of them was definitely hotter than it should be. But I'm not sure my relay configuration is the same as the Bentley manual indicates since it only indicates 1 fused relay.

[veetarded]

Pull the fpr (all the way on the left, top row) and jumper the large horizontal to the large vertical recepticle. If it runs it's the relay.

[mellbergVWfan]

Pull the fpr (all the way on the left, top row) and jumper the large horizontal to the large vertical recepticle. If it runs it's the relay.

That's the relay that felt hot. I'll definitely try jumping it. Thanks, Will.

I found this thread which explains my relay configuration thoughts.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...-of-fuse-panel

[veetarded]

Just to clarify, when I said 'if it runs' I meant 'if the issue is resolved'. I know you know that, but there are people here that might need that revision.

P.S. For future reference, Ryan (WWR) knows his sh*t; listen to him.

[mellbergVWfan]

Just to clarify, when I said 'if it runs' I meant 'if the issue is resolved'. I know you know that, but there are people here that might need that revision.

P.S. For future reference, Ryan (WWR) knows his sh*t; listen to him.

Ryan Schupe? Yeah he was recommended to me.

[mellbergVWfan]

Ordering a new fuel pump relay. This one looks bad.

[hardrocco]

Can I call it?

[Eistreiber]

Can I call it?

...I'd hold off if I were you, a relay might overheat for a number of reasons; one is excessive draw from the relayed system needing more than intended power to do its job.

To me this sounds like classic main fuel pump failure, a not- too DEW of hard failure. I've seen a bunch of these, and in my experience when a fuel pump is on the edge of dying; it'll first fail at 'high' temps after some driving, say 80+ degrees ambient and about 30- 45 minutes on the road.

The problem is; only way to verify is pressure test, and it's kinda awkward to plumb in a pressure gauge where needed. [can be done, but a PITA]

This is one time when you have to trust your ears... build the jumper as suggested above (the big horizontal slot to the big vertical slot, it's a "T"; and build with a fuse carrier, start with 20 amp [check Bentley]). Next fail, pull the relay; install jumper, run around to right side of car and listen... you might hear that the pump speed varies, just a little.

Anyway... I see you're ordering a relay; not a bad idea anyway.

But my bet is on the pump. [ http://www.germanautoparts.com/Volks...occo/Fuel/97/1 ] Spendy, but they last about 60- 90K miles.

[mellbergVWfan]

I'll definitely keep an eye out. I wasn't expecting a new relay to fix all my problems. Thanks for the solid info, Eistreiber.

[Eistreiber]

I'll definitely keep an eye out. I wasn't expecting a new relay to fix all my problems. Thanks for the solid info, Eistreiber.

You're welcome. That's your bright red S I've seen pics of in other threads, right?

Tell you what... ship it here (CO), I'll track down and fix the problem; I say fuel pump but if its other I'll take of it.

Then I'll test drive, and return the car to you fixed; and when I'm sure the fix is confirmed.

I'll probably be dead within 30 years or so, that oughta be pretty sure; right?



[hey, it's worth a shot. Very pretty car]