Ask an expert

I have owned a 1998 VW Golf GLX for 4 years.

Most of that time the car's engine has been prone to stop at odd times. Sometimes at lights or otherwise stopped in traffic, sometimes when driving at lower speeds (say, up to about 50k) but not at higher speed ranges.

When this happens, it is impossible to restart the engine immediately but starts after waiting about a minute. It has been in and out of the garage many times and sometimes there is a temporary break in this routine but it always returns. The crank angle sensor is a favourite suspect and has been changed twice in two years to no lasting avail.

Do you know anything about this problem?

Bruce

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 September 2009

One of our most trusted sources tells us the most likely cause of the cutting out is the fuel pump relay. This is located under the dash. They apparently suffer from dry solder joints and the fault can be very intermittent.

One of the most common faults are from units made in Tunisia and this is marked on the relay.

The units can be opened up and repaired but it's not worth the effort to be honest.

If you go with this theory then its best to just fit a new relay.

Feedback from Bruce ........

The problem has been solved at last!

Yes the fuel pump relay was faulty. The Golf is behaving like a youngster again, with crisp gear changes and no sign of stalling or missing.

I would strongly recommend owners insist on a check of the fuel pump relay as a first step in dealing with this sort of fault.

It would have saved me an aweful lot of money in repair costs.