MK3 GL Mystery problem

[Golf Houso]

I'm back again with the same issue as I had before with the rev limiter in my golf 2.0L 8v 2e cutting out at a flat 5000rpm. Having had both the belt tensioner, factory chip re-installed and the timing correctly re-done the car still continues to cut out a measly 5000 rpm. This is frankly seriously getting on my nerves as I have no real idea what is causing it. Any suggestions would be more than welcome as well as your thoughts on what this problem might possibly be .

Cos' hey, lets face it the 2.0L's are slow enough as it is let alone with a few hundred good rpm lopped off the top of them...

Cheers, Branko.

[DubSteve]

I had this problem on my previous VR I changed the Oil filter and it was ok after that, you tried that at all?

[Golf Houso]

I had this problem on my previous VR I changed the Oil filter and it was ok after that, you tried that at all?

Yeah changed that 3,000 ago, it was doing it when I got it 14,000 ago as well. I've changed the coil pack, leads and dizzy cap as well. The cars in excellent shape though, I still can't get my head around why its doing it. Limp mode maybe? Nothing came up on VAG COM or other diagnostic checks either

Thanks for the suggestions though...

[DubSteve]

Maybe a dyno run and you might see where it is coming from?

Fuel filter maybe? There could be a million things

[Preen59]

Are you sure it's the rev limiter? or is it just cutting out at around 5000?

[Golf Houso]

Maybe a dyno run and you might see where it is coming from?

Fuel filter maybe? There could be a million things

Nope got that changed too... Well, I've fixed about a million things on it to.

[Preen59]

Also, if you free rev it will it go past 5? Or does it cut out at 5 loaded and unloaded?

[Golf Houso]

Also, if you free rev it will it go past 5? Or does it cut out at 5 loaded and unloaded?

Sorry, yeah well it might not be a rev limiter but thats what it seems like, fuel cut off and the car bounces off 5,000. No it does it under any circumstances unloaded, loaded, and in the first 3 gears as I have tested.

The thing is, this motor particularly in the later models (mines 12/97) revs out to just under 7,000. Yet mine decides to call it quits at a convenient 5,000.

[rayray086]

Hmm... I don't know which relay it is, but there has been some problems with certain relays and revving problems. I remember Olly's ABF Mk3 struggling/choking when the engine is only at 3000 RPM, but when he revved past it, it would climb smoothly. I suppose you can try reconnecting all the relays. Matt can probably chime in to tell you what relays may be worth replacing that might be able to cure this strange problem.

Another thing I can think of is the engine speed or crank angle sensor. I had a faulty one before but my problems were having trouble starting and some heavy misfiring. There's a wire/cable that connects to the engine block just below/to the left of the oil filter. If it's brittle and the insulation is breaking off, then it might need replacing. Mine was in such a bad condition that most of the insulation had broken off and bare wires were causing electrical shorts, which caused the misfiring.

I don't think it helps your cause much but it's worth checking the relays and that sensor wire anyway, since you're already changed a lot of parts.

[Golf Houso]

Hmm... I don't know which relay it is, but there has been some problems with certain relays and revving problems. I remember Olly's ABF Mk3 struggling/choking when the engine is only at 3000 RPM, but when he revved past it, it would climb smoothly. I suppose you can try reconnecting all the relays. Matt can probably chime in to tell you what relays may be worth replacing that might be able to cure this strange problem.

Another thing I can think of is the engine speed or crank angle sensor. I had a faulty one before but my problems were having trouble starting and some heavy misfiring. There's a wire/cable that connects to the engine block just below/to the left of the oil filter. If it's brittle and the insulation is breaking off, then it might need replacing. Mine was in such a bad condition that most of the insulation had broken off and bare wires were causing electrical shorts, which caused the misfiring.

I don't think it helps your cause much but it's worth checking the relays and that sensor wire anyway, since you're already changed a lot of parts.

Hmnn fair enough, I had a problem along-side my hall/crank sensor issue where the car would intermittently turn off when the voltage in this relay which had failed on the car. It could very well be one of the relays on the car or better yet a fuse Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to have a look when I get the car back on Friday.