Help with GFs car.

[Manny1987]

So this is where im at right now.
This is my gfs car
I have no idea about these cars.
she has had the car about 2 years, she has never done any maintenence on it.
The car will start fine, go through first an second fine an then act like it has no power, no matter how much you step on the gas. My father looked at the car and noticed the hose to the brake booster was ripped all up, replaced it.. drove the car around and it did awesome, rode fine, like normal.... but then a few hours later, i go to test drive it again, and its doing the same crap, like it has no power like it doesnt want to drive, ill come to a stop an the idle is acting like it wants to cut off.. im lost? i have no clue... does this sound like a tranny problem maybe? i have no idea. please help. trying to save the girl some money.

[Manny1987]

this is a 1998 beetle. its automatic and its just a reg bug, nonturbo.

[Smileybug]

Sounds like its in limp mode.

How many miles on it?

[Raterman]

Kind of sounds like the way my 2000 acts, but I am sure my problem is the cat (because of the code its throwing).....I have no high end power. Idles perfectly.

[99cyber]

Pull and clean or replace the MAF. You'll need a #20 torx security bit, or you may be able to remove the screws with some pliers. A good parts store should have MAF cleaner on the shelf. My wifes car was doing the same thing, and this seems to have taken care of the problem

[kcfoxie]

Miles would certainly help. A way to test the MAF is to just unplug it, it's the only electric connection on the air intake (follow the filter back). If it works fine with that disconnected that's likely the culprit.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by Manny1987

So this is where im at right now.
This is my gfs car
I have no idea about these cars.
she has had the car about 2 years, she has never done any maintenence on it.
The car will start fine, go through first an second fine an then act like it has no power, no matter how much you step on the gas. My father looked at the car and noticed the hose to the brake booster was ripped all up, replaced it.. drove the car around and it did awesome, rode fine, like normal.... but then a few hours later, i go to test drive it again, and its doing the same crap, like it has no power like it doesnt want to drive, ill come to a stop an the idle is acting like it wants to cut off.. im lost? i have no clue... does this sound like a tranny problem maybe? i have no idea. please help. trying to save the girl some money.

First of all...take the car and have it scanned for engine codes(Auto Zone does these for free) Then post back what the scan say's. As all of us can say it's this or that but with a scan you will have a plan of action....Much better than a guess over the net....

[Manny1987]

Miles- 126333

About a week or two ago, had the car scanned, codes that poped up were a o2 sensor, iac, and engine coolant temp. sensor. Replaced the engine coolant temp. sensor and the other 2 codes went away.

[Fl_bug]

Did you try unplugging the MAF (Mass AirFlow Sensor)?

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by Manny1987

Miles- 126333

About a week or two ago, had the car scanned, codes that poped up were a o2 sensor, iac, and engine coolant temp. sensor. Replaced the engine coolant temp. sensor and the other 2 codes went away.

So everthing is good now then.....Cool...

[Manny1987]

Originally Posted by Canadianbugin

So everthing is good now then.....Cool...

no, its doing the same crap. just without any codes.
check engine light is on.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by Manny1987

no, its doing the same crap. just without any codes.
check engine light is on.

Codes=Cels(check engine light) These are one and the same...for your info... So as i said have it scaned for CELS and post back what you find as it's hard to diagnose things without a scan...Everyone has an idea but the scan will lead you and us in the right direction...

[Manny1987]

maybe we arent on the same track, its been scanned.
these are the codes that were thrown.

P0117 - engine coolant temp sensor.
P0132 - o2 sensor
P1582 - I believe this is my problem. I think im on the right track. I found this page, and included is the symptoms to this car.

FU! P1582

[Smileybug]

Have you scanned the car since the CEL came back on though?

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by Smileybug

Have you scanned the car since the CEL came back on though?

This is my point...???? Do the adaptation and post back...????

[Pseudotropheus]

The car will drive fine and then at random times will idle funny and try to shut off? or act like it wants to? lack of power?

Have you checked the fuel filter?
Did you check the vaccum lines, EGR valve?

Getting more codes would be good. If there are none, I would look at the fuel components. Fuel filter's love giving these symptoms to their owners. They get clogged and cluttered with crap, and fuel wont flow anymore.

Look at the easy stuff before going onto more complicated items. Usually, the smaller cheaper wear and tear parts are the culprit.
That last code is interesting though...

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by Pseudotropheus

The car will drive fine and then at random times will idle funny and try to shut off? or act like it wants to? lack of power?

Have you checked the fuel filter?
Did you check the vaccum lines, EGR valve?

Getting more codes would be good. If there are none, I would look at the fuel components. Fuel filter's love giving these symptoms to their owners. They get clogged and cluttered with crap, and fuel wont flow anymore.

Look at the easy stuff before going onto more complicated items. Usually, the smaller cheaper wear and tear parts are the culprit.
That last code is interesting though...

Just to clear the air here... These cars do not have an EGR system... it's called a COMBI valve which brings filtered air from the air box though the SAI (secondary air injection)pump to the COMBI valve to clean up emmision's and help the O2 sensors to heat... Just thought i'd clear this up... The OP needs to do the engine addaptation on VAG-COM...

[Manny1987]

Originally Posted by Canadianbugin

This is my point...???? Do the adaptation and post back...????

grr i already did all that. nevermind.

[Pseudotropheus]

Originally Posted by Canadianbugin

Just to clear the air here... These cars do not have an EGR system... it's called a COMBI valve which brings filtered air from the air box though the SAI (secondary air injection)pump to the COMBI valve to clean up emmision's and help the O2 sensors to heat... Just thought i'd clear this up... The OP needs to do the engine addaptation on VAG-COM...

Really? No EGR? I learn something new everyday. Im still trying to learn everything on these "buggers" ( good pun ).
Thanks for the tip.

[Canadianbugin]

Originally Posted by Pseudotropheus

Really? No EGR? I learn something new everyday. Im still trying to learn everything on these "buggers" ( good pun ).
Thanks for the tip.

No problem...Just be carefull what advise you give...It's better to not give than to give advise if you're not sure....