I have a 99 VW Passat 1.8T, and for the past month or so once or twice a day I'll have problems getting it started. Or if it does start right up it will rev high then run ok, then may not start the next time. I can always get it going after a few tries, but I'm afraid I will get stuck somewhere, and have no clue what's wrong with it. Paul thinks the turbo may be going bad...any other ideas?

Thanks
Michelle

 

I don't think its the turbo but have you taken it to your local VW dealer yet?

 

coil packs or MAF........

 

I am going with the coil packs. What is your mileage?

 

one of the ICM go back some time back...but what the car is doing is realy odd...its almost like no gas for the 1st few sec's... its just turns over and will not start...then starts..and gets a high rev for a sec and falls off and idles right...the other thing we have noticed is that under acceleration it has some small hesitation..nothing big...thats what makes me thing the turbo is going bad...the car has 70,k on it...we got it with a little under 40k...


oh one last thing....the Check Eng light comes on...and then will turn off from time to time....

 

coilpacks or MAF

 

Damn The Maf!!!!!

 

It's a 1.8t, what do you expect?? Anyway, with the hesitation on acceleration, I would think coilpacks also.

 

 

My old Passat was the same way. I had a 99 1.8T as well. Coilpacks. Also do a tuneup on her to just to keep her up to date. I had to replace my coilpacks at 55K and again at 125K. If you are looking for a shop for it to be done at and you are in north tampa. Go to European Autohaus, they do great work.