Engine stalling while driving....please help.

15579 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Taza, Nov 9, 2019

rckymtnrfc

Discussion Starter · Sep 18, 2014

Sorry, this is a bit long.

I purchased a 2006 silver New Beetle convertible (80K miles) a few months ago and I've been loving the car but a problem has surfaced and I'm not sure what is the cause.

About a month after buying it, my girlfriend drove the car to Denver (about an hour drive) and once there she mentioned the car just felt like the engine died for a few seconds and then would go. This happened when she was accelerating from a full stop. She was about 5 mins from her destination and it happened a couple of time. Hours later when she came home she did not have the problem. I thought perhaps it was nothing or she did something weird and shrugged it off.

A few weeks later I hadn't see the problem myself driving locally. On a very hot Saturday afternoon I drove up to Denver and experienced the same issue. While driving down the freeway, all engine power was gone. A few seconds later it went away and was driving fine. It would do this over and over the entire drive home, every 5-10 minutes. Finally once back in town it happened while leaving a light and I got a CEL. I went to the auto parts store and was told it was P0305, cylinder 5 misfire. On the suggestion of the employee, I purchased and replaced all 5 spark plugs. The problem continued driving it later that evening on a short drive.

The next morning, the car was running fine and has been for about a month. I was starting to suspect it was an issue when the car was hot (as the prior two times it was in the 90s and the car has been driven for over an hour nonstop).

A week ago the girlfriend drove it to work, a 20 min drive, and on the way home she got another CEL. The engine didn't die this time. When I had the codes checked I was told it was a problem with the secondary air intake with a 2nd code of problem with cooling system. I cleared the codes and they haven't returned. I did read that the cooling system code might mean I need a new water pump and I may replace that to be proactive...but that wouldn't cause a total loss of engine power that I'm aware.

This morning, after driving 5 mins, outside temp was 54F, I was leaving a stop light and the engine died again. I coasted over to the side of the road as it was completely off, put the car in park and it started right up. The remaining 5 min drive to work was without incident.

I'm stumped. Is it a problem with the secondary air intake? Would that cause a complete loss of engine power? When it happened before, it would seem to stall out when leaving a light but a moment later I would get power back. Only once or twice did it die completely that I had to restart the car. The car always restarts without issue and never dies while idling. It has never happened before on such a short ride, with leads me to believe the part in question is getting worse.

Having just purchased the car, I'm a little tight on funds so I'd like to diagnose and fix the problem myself....but I'm not 100% sure what would cause this. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. I know many of you are familiar with common problems with the New Beetles and I'm hoping someone recognizes this problem. I've been searching and reading the forums for ideas but I don't see anything that seems to match my exact issue.

Thanks!
Ryan

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billymade

· #2 · Sep 18, 2014 (Edited)

Hey, there are some unique issues related to the 2.5l and some that are typical of Vw"s in general. First of all gettIng a VW compatible scanner; could really help you diagnose the problem intelligently; check out the Vgate VS450 from Amazon for $50.

Here are some things that come to mind:

1. PCV valve: these typically fail on the 2.5l and cause drivability problems, Dorman makes a inexpensive repair kit, for this issue. Read more about it here:

http://newbeetle.org/forums/2-5-liter-gas/65633-re-2-5l-pcv-valve-failure-solutions-dorman.html

2. Crank/speed sensor: these can fail and not throw a CEL, causing a car to die intermittently and the problem is usually exhibited, when the car is hot.

3. Fuel filter/regulator: the regulator and fuel filter are integrated into one part on this car. The filter maybe clogged or the regulator is malfunctioning; easy/cheap fix, just replace it (@80k it probably is due for replacement).

4. Fuel pump maybe on its way out; usually problems are when it gets hot or progressively hard(er) to start in the morning. This would need to be diagnosed; with a fuel pressure tester tool, read more about this here:

http://newbeetle.org/forums/2-5-liter-gas/85146-what-ignition-parts-can-fail-hot-motor.html

5. Coil packs: known to fail; I have heard, there was a recall on some of the 2.5l cars. So, you might call your local Vw dealers service dept., with your vin# and see if there are any open recalls. You can also search online here:

http://www.vw.com/web/vw/recall/

So, there are some issues to check to start with; I would recommend you get that Vw scanner and post up any trouble codes, that you get. We will do our best to help!

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

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Rmendoza13

· #3 · Sep 21, 2019

rckymtnrfc said:
Sorry, this is a bit long.

I purchased a 2006 silver New Beetle convertible (80K miles) a few months ago and I've been loving the car but a problem has surfaced and I'm not sure what is the cause.

About a month after buying it, my girlfriend drove the car to Denver (about an hour drive) and once there she mentioned the car just felt like the engine died for a few seconds and then would go. This happened when she was accelerating from a full stop. She was about 5 mins from her destination and it happened a couple of time. Hours later when she came home she did not have the problem. I thought perhaps it was nothing or she did something weird and shrugged it off.

A few weeks later I hadn't see the problem myself driving locally. On a very hot Saturday afternoon I drove up to Denver and experienced the same issue. While driving down the freeway, all engine power was gone. A few seconds later it went away and was driving fine. It would do this over and over the entire drive home, every 5-10 minutes. Finally once back in town it happened while leaving a light and I got a CEL. I went to the auto parts store and was told it was P0305, cylinder 5 misfire. On the suggestion of the employee, I purchased and replaced all 5 spark plugs. The problem continued driving it later that evening on a short drive.

The next morning, the car was running fine and has been for about a month. I was starting to suspect it was an issue when the car was hot (as the prior two times it was in the 90s and the car has been driven for over an hour nonstop).

A week ago the girlfriend drove it to work, a 20 min drive, and on the way home she got another CEL. The engine didn't die this time. When I had the codes checked I was told it was a problem with the secondary air intake with a 2nd code of problem with cooling system. I cleared the codes and they haven't returned. I did read that the cooling system code might mean I need a new water pump and I may replace that to be proactive...but that wouldn't cause a total loss of engine power that I'm aware.

This morning, after driving 5 mins, outside temp was 54F, I was leaving a stop light and the engine died again. I coasted over to the side of the road as it was completely off, put the car in park and it started right up. The remaining 5 min drive to work was without incident.

I'm stumped. Is it a problem with the secondary air intake? Would that cause a complete loss of engine power? When it happened before, it would seem to stall out when leaving a light but a moment later I would get power back. Only once or twice did it die completely that I had to restart the car. The car always restarts without issue and never dies while idling. It has never happened before on such a short ride, with leads me to believe the part in question is getting worse.

Having just purchased the car, I'm a little tight on funds so I'd like to diagnose and fix the problem myself....but I'm not 100% sure what would cause this. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. I know many of you are familiar with common problems with the New Beetles and I'm hoping someone recognizes this problem. I've been searching and reading the forums for ideas but I don't see anything that seems to match my exact issue.

Thanks!
Ryan

Did you ever find out what the issue was? I just purchased one for my daughter and we are having this issue

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Taza

· #4 · Nov 9, 2019

I have a 2006 Beetle too, it always cuts out when driving, no power I try and pull over if I can and restart and it might do it about 4 times, other times looses power then whilst still driving it will then get it's power back always when heading to the City about 40 mins away. My mechanic and also my trans guy don't understand why or whats the cause. Did read it has happened to some when tank is under a 1/4 I will take more notice of this next time. Anyone have Any ideas or found out yet? Thank you

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Rmendoza13

· #5 · Nov 9, 2019

Taza said:
I have a 2006 Beetle too, it always cuts out when driving, no power I try and pull over if I can and restart and it might do it about 4 times, other times looses power then whilst still driving it will then get it's power back always when heading to the City about 40 mins away. My mechanic and also my trans guy don't understand why or whats the cause. Did read it has happened to some when tank is under a 1/4 I will take more notice of this next time. Anyone have Any ideas or found out yet? Thank you

I bought the car for my stepdaughter, two of my uncles who are mechanics told me it was because the engine required supreme gas and I had been putting regular, my stepdaughter refused to put supreme so I put an octane booster filled the tank and gave it to my mother in law and she said it hasn’t done it since

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Taza

· #6 · Nov 9, 2019

I'm in Australia and I must admit I was putting in unleaded as the car yard I bought it off told that's what it used, my mechanic informed me I need 98, damn coz that's the most expensive another 20c per litre more. But I have been putting correct fuel in now, but that light comes on and still happens. I'm stumped thank you for replying and glad your mot has a lovely car and no problems.

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