MK1 GTI cold starting issues

Sep 17, 2003 2 Replies
F

I've got a MK1 GTI that has a strange starting behavior. If you turn the key it starts, idles in failrly low 400 -600 rpm range, Now if you press the accelerator quickly (with clutch in, or out of gear) it sputters and dies. If you start car an press the accelerator slowly the engine performs as expected( rpm's increase ) Doesn't stall. Once the car has run for about 30 seconds it runs fine and starts fine. Here is a short list of the items checked and replaced



1 vacuum leaks. -> tested all hoses, connectors
2 tested with O2 sensor disconnected.
3 cleanedup electrical ground connectors in engine area
4 tested aux air flow
5 replace injector seals

Note: I think I remember that the battry LED doesn't go out until I rev the engine to about 3k rpm . I wonder if these two issues are connected ?



Thanks Derek


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J

My 85 GTI had a similar problem. I took it to a local german car shop here and they told me that when the car starts it uses the Temp Sensor to regulate the oxygen mix instead of the Ox Sensor. After its' warmed up the Ox Sensor will take over and the car will run fine. Basically what happens is that the temp sensor can get corrided. For me they also found some other sensor that had to be fixed which delt with timing, but after that it started great about 98% of the time. I'm not an expert so my info may be off because of bad memory but its something to check at least. I'm not sure if the A1's are the same, but changing the temp sensor worked for me.

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F

Thanks I'll check that, I did change that recently, but not sure if i messed up the wires when I reinstalled. Derek

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