Golf mk3 cuts out after going through puddles

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Mon 4 Feb 2002 20:37
Golf mk3 cuts out after going through puddles - RB
Backroomers! - I hope that you can help me with my problem.
I know you're a busy man, but I'd appreciate some help. I've got a '94 Golf CL 1.4 5dr which goes as well as you expect it except when I'm driving over standing water. It'll stand forever under torrential rain, and still start first time every time, but you drive over any kind of deepish puddle, and within seconds, it'll just fade away. Leave it half an hour, and it's dried out enough to start again.
It's not the leads (replaced) or dist. cap as far as I (or the garage) can tell. I thought perhaps a short in the fuel pump (happened to my Dad's Audi once), but the pump is mounted on top of the tank, and I can't see how it could get wet.
The garage replaced an engine management control switch, and tidied up some frayed wiring, but that didn't work. I've even sprayed water underneath with the car on ramps, but I couldn't get it to stop at all like that.
I'm hoping the knowledgeable members of this group might come up with something - with the weather as it is at the moment, my car's not the most relaxing of drives! What do you think? With thanks in advance.
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Mon 4 Feb 2002 22:22
Re: Golf mk3 cuts out after going through puddles - RB
Oops. That'll teach me to cut 'n' paste without checking. This bit:
>I know you're a busy man, but I'd appreciate some help. <
was left over from my original e-mail to HJ. Hope the rest makes sense!
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Mon 4 Feb 2002 22:44
Re: Golf mk3 cuts out after going through puddles - David Davies
It sounds as if you have a chafed wire or wires which are short circuiting when hit by significant moisture. Obviously it's impossible to say exactly where,but as you mention it dries off enough to resume within half an hour I would guess that it's happening near some source of warmth. Therefore how about detail checking the oxygen sensor loom from the exhaust end right back to the connector plug. Unfortunately its not easy to get at on this Golf !
If it's not this then check closely for any other exposed parts of the wiring rubbing,cracking or stretching. Good luck with your search.
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Tue 5 Feb 2002 11:38
Re: Golf mk3 cuts out after going through puddles - Alwyn
Our old Volvo 340 does this.

The problem was the Renix electronic ignition unit being stupidly placed low down on the "chassis leg".

Any water thrown up by the nearside front wheel would immediately drown it.

Do you have any ignition parts low down in the engine bay?
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Fri 8 Feb 2002 23:31
Re: Golf mk3 cuts out after going through puddles - RB
Many thanks for your suggestions, gents. I'll let you know how I get on. No garage, so, ironically this might have to wait until drier weather! Cheers
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Tue 5 Mar 2002 19:56
Re: Golf mk3 cuts out after going through puddles - RB
I've managed to track down the problem (I think). After your suggestions, I concentrated on the Oxygen sensor. The problem was with a plastic connector which connects the leads to the sensor to one which, presumably, goes to the ECM chip. A liberal spraying of WD40, a smearing of Vaseline, and a bit of DampStart have meant that, so far, it's given me no further problems. Thanks for your help, chaps.
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