Golf VR6 Engine stalling/revving

From Bradford, 1 post

I have a K reg '93 Golf VR6 (2.8litre). I have a K & N replacement filter only in it. The engine while idling or while changing down gears revs itself, and then occasionally stalls. This is intermittent problem and seems to get worse the faster I drive the car. If I drive it calmly it tends to be OK but as soon as I put my foot down when I come to a stop the car is most likely to stall. It has been on the computer and there was a faulty Lambda sensor and the ECU was supposed to be faulty as well. I have replaced these both but it still does it. I have been told it won't need tuning (By VW mechanic) as the ECU will do this. I don't want to get rid of it so does anyone have any similar experience or suggestions on this?

From England, 1 post

Were both the lambda sensor and the ECU brand new? A friend of mine has a similar problem with his saxo, He has a K & amp;N and a full magnex on it and it was runnuing lumpy like yours, we took the lambda probe out and found it was severly sooted up, after a clean the car would run like new. Although the problem does keep re-occuring but a quick cleen usually does the trick. My sister has a golf vr6 like you and we bought that with a K & amp;N and a powerflow system after the cat and we dont seem to have had any problems. Try putting the stock air filter back on and see if there is any improvement. Just a thought! try unplugging the air mass meter just behind the air filter it may be faulty and causing the engine to think there is more air going in than there is and causing it to overfuel. Hope you find this helpfull p.s. Let me know if you get any where!!

From UK, 2 posts

Have you checked the idle stabilisation valve?

From Portsmouth, 1 post

hi there,

did you ever solve the problem with your vr6 stalling and reving itself? i have the same problem with my k reg. like you i have replaced ecu, lamba senser and just about to change mass meter and have taken my k & n off, must admit does seem to run better with origenal air box on????????

From Somerset, 1 post

I have exactly the same problem with a Mk IV 1.6 SE - it is in the garage now! Revs uncontrollably when the clutch is in at low speeds and even at standing - also it has the habit of losing its way when idle-the revs drop out and it stalls - once stalled it needs approx 10 mins before it'll start again. Computer said the temp sensor is faulty (gave a reading of -28 degrees C, which prompts the choke to chuck a load of fuel in) and it is being replaced, just hope that'll be the end of it....I fear not!

From Bromley, 1 post

i have had this problem with loads of cars
generally it is a sensor that goes like the mas sensor on the air box, idle control valve or the potentiometer whic is a sensor on the side of the throttle body (what used to be the carbourettor on old motors!) this has a small motor in it which sticks the throttle open causing the engine to rev

could be the replacement air box though, specially if youve got a faulty ecu which cant adjust itself to the new part

2 posts

My 1995 Golf VR6 does the same. The car revs high when i start it up in the morning. Much higher than its suppose to. It even acts strange when its up to normal operating temperature. I will idle normal for a while, and then all of a sudden the revz will rise to 1000rpm or higher when i shift to neutral. Sometimes the revs just drop to below 500rpm and then it rises agian (like a see-saw effect). I replaced both my lanbda probe and Air-mass meter less than a year ago. I had a similar problem last year and i cleaned the ISV which was noy the cause of the problem. It was the Airflow Meter. So i hope and pray that its not faulty again.

2 posts

My problem fixed

It was my cranckcase-breather hose that was sucking closed. Replaced it with a more robust pipe with a gradual bend.