Throttle Body - 99 Caravelle

[Simon VW]

Hi All,


I'm hoping to resolve a long running idling issue with my 1999 Caravelle. RPM at idle is around 850 - 900 until I turn the air con on . The drop is then to approx 350 - 400 RPM. I have had many garages look at this for me and everyone has put there $$$$$'s worth in to it. The best result so far was having a VW mechanic basically retune everything so that the ECU was able to run properly. This did make a big difference and increased the idle speed slightly however it is now back to normal. This makes exiting roundabouts risky as there is a chance of stalling and hill climbs have to be done with the air con off. Could this be an issue with the throttle body? I ask this as even with the air con off it really struggles up hills (its a 2.5L Petrol) - should it be struggling? I have to mention as well that the air con unit flashes for approx 10 secs when being turned on and although it works ok then the heating only comes on when the setting is on HI , cooling is ok it just doesn't blow all the time.


I'd also like to mention that when the ignition is switched to the firs setting (before starting engine) there is a clicking noise in the engine bay. Could this be the sensor on the throttle body not working?


So far the following has been done:
Air Flow Meter replaced
HT leads and distributor replaced
Various tweaking of idling settings


Thanks


Simon

[Sunny43.5]

Shouldn't be struggling the 2.5 is pretty good engine air on or off , my old T5 was just unstoppable performance was way up there all the time , same with my sons one as well . How about air filter when was it last changed ? plugs ? The clicking is it when the air is switched on at the time of starting as the air con clutch makes a clicking sound as it engages . Jmac at Alba European Automotive down here in Brisbane is pretty switched on with T4's as he used one for years with his mobile mechanical work with VW's . Might be worth getting in touch with him for first hand knowledge .

[Simon VW]

Great , thanks for the info. Good to know that the engine should run better, i thought a 2.5l should be quicker than it is. I have no idea when the air filter was changed, I have owned it for the last 2 and a half years and haven't had it done. As for the plugs? They have been changed at least 3 times since I have had it. I'll give Jmac a call to discuss it and see if we can sort something out. Summer is on the way and turning the air con on and off and even running without it is going to be an issue.

Thanks

[Sunny43.5]

Jim is a bit hard to get onto as he is always pretty busy so good luck , you may need to leave him a voice message or a text it can get results .