Random loss of power and then shut off

[dylphil97]

Was driving down the highway like normal and all of a sudden felt a loss of power. Felt like no boost. A half mile later the car was powering down. Came safe to a stop and couldn’t fire it. Car cranks and has lights. No warning lights. Glow plug coil light working as usual. Thought it was fueling issue but why did I lose boost first? Any input is appreciated.

 

[Mozambiquer]

Was driving down the highway like normal and all of a sudden felt a loss of power. Felt like no boost. A half mile later the car was powering down. Came safe to a stop and couldn’t fire it. Car cranks and has lights. No warning lights. Glow plug coil light working as usual. Thought it was fueling issue but why did I lose boost first? Any input is appreciated.

We just had a car towed to our shop with the exact same symptoms... The timing belt had jumped time and shut it down. Do you know when the timing belt was last replaced on yours? It's pretty easy to inspect it on these cars, just pull the timing cover off and look at it. This photo is what it looked like under the cover of the one I just worked on.

IMG_20201020_131158.jpg

• Mozambiquer
• Oct 21, 2020

 

[dylphil97]

We just had a car towed to our shop with the exact same symptoms... The timing belt had jumped time and shut it down. Do you know when the timing belt was last replaced on yours? It's pretty easy to inspect it on these cars, just pull the timing cover off and look at it. This photo is what it looked like under the cover of the one I just worked on.

IMG_20201020_131158.jpg

• Mozambiquer
• Oct 21, 2020

Checked belt a week ago, still looks brand new. Was apparently done 20k ago and i believe it.. if it jumped timing wouldnt i hear a change in rpms, etc? it was a very gradual power loss; didnt just shut off immediately

 

[Mozambiquer]

Do you have vag-com?

 

[oilhammer]

You say it lost boost, but what I think you mean is, it lost power. OBD works, I'd start there.

Does it crank normally? Check for cranking RPM signal in the engine data.

 

[dylphil97]

You say it lost boost, but what I think you mean is, it lost power. OBD works, I'd start there.

Does it crank normally? Check for cranking RPM signal in the engine data.

Crank sounds normal.. dont have vag com/VCDS .. I guess OBDeleven can tell you crank speed.. should probably invest..

so if that signal doesnt read anything while im trying to crank its the crankshaft position sensor?

 

[oilhammer]

Well it means the ECU is not getting a crank signal. It *could* be the sensor. It could be a bad connection, rubbed through wire, mouse chewed on something, etc.