The other day I was driving on the highway and my car (1996 b5, stock) cut off on me. There were a couple times that it was difficult to start (ie wouldn't for a few mins...i know it isnt battery or alternator, thought maybe starter but now that it cut off while I was driving its not that either..). I am thinking it may be the fuel pump...would this be right? Could the spark plugs have something to do with it? I am going to be taking it in soon but there's only 1 euro shop around and they charge like it lol....I can do some stuff myself, but live in an apartment complex so my space is limited (as are my tools). I am very worried about this because I have no idea what is wrong with it, any suggestions?

 

scan for codes first. were you just cruising or accelerating when this happened?

 

just cruising...I am going to pick up a vag-com as a Christmas present to myself I guess lol..I should have one already anyways

 

If it only happens when the car is warm, a component might have a heat-soak issue, especially if it's hard to start immediately after stalling. A bad starter will not cause the car to stall, but bad wires going to and from the battery and starter will, especially when heat-soaked. Check for corrosion in the wires and on the contact surfaces. Additionally, sensors such as the crank and cam position sensors can cause the same type of stall/ no-start issues.

To eliminate the possibility of a bad fuel pump, check the pressure at the rail when the car stalls, both at rest and while cranking.

 

Last night, I drove to the store (5 minutes away) and turned my car off. When I came back out ~10 mins later it would not start. I can hear the fuel pump start up when I turn the key, so if its bad its not entirely bad....Took a couple times of trying to get it to start, and when it did I gave it a lot of gas and could feel the engine sputtering a little bit before it revved up properly. On my way home I gave it a lot of gas and could feel hesitation, so I am assuming that it has to have something to do with the fuel system....

Wouldn't a sensor fail usually trigger a CEL? I am picking up a scanner in a day or two so will know more (i am sure there are some hidden codes in there anyway) but I have no CEL. I will also be going to check for corrosion in a few minutes.

 

How old are your spark plugs? 1.8 or 2.8? If its a 2.8 how about the plug wires? Sounds like it just needs a full tune up to me.

 

They are old, plugs and wires have been on my list to do for ab 6 months (I bought the car about a year ago). Yes it definitely needs a full tune...I am about to allot about $2000 to getting it fixed up (need a cv boot and some body work as well...). It is just irritating because I have been trying to do most stuff myself (this is my first car that I have ever been interested in working on) and I hate to pay the shop but I cant do anything in my parking lot really...

its 2.8 btw, 12v