Author Topic: My TDI turns off when I downshift. (Read 4694 times)

TDI_Chick · « **on:** June 09, 2008, 08:09:31 pm »

I have a 2006 5-speed Jetta TDI. When the air conditioning is on all the way and I am downshifting at a low rpm the car shuts off. The clutch has to be all the way in, and the AC all the way up. The red battery light pops up on the dash, and the car is dead, whether at a stop light, or more recently, in a busy merge lane. This isn't consistent by any means, but tends to happen at the most unexpected moments, and never when I have a mechanic from the shop riding along (Of course). My car has been in and out of the shop for a while, but as the problem 'cannot be duplicated' it is not being diagnosed. The car isn't spitting error codes, and doesn't do this when the AC is off, but it is still a huge problem. I'm stumped, and so are the technicians. Has anyone seen anything like this before?

I know it sounds like a weird problem, but the car isn't stalling. The transition from engine turned on to engine turned off is completely smooth and one barely every notices until the car doesn't go forwards when you hit the gas pedal again.

rabbitman · « **Reply #1 on:** June 11, 2008, 06:10:39 pm »

I've heard of the anti-shutter valve in the intake sticking shut so it won't start......I've never heard of it shutting on the go though.

TDI_Chick · « **Reply #2 on:** June 11, 2008, 07:42:50 pm »

Yeah, it's apparently pretty rare. I haven't found anyone yet who has any idea what the heck is going on with it. It's kinda scary too, when you're driving and look down only to realize why the gas pedal wasn't having any effect. The car isn't stalling, just turning off. The dealer says it's the fuel filter, but they don't seem to acknowledge that the car has been doing this since i got it.

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 11, 2008, 09:26:00 pm »

Have you posted at www.tdiclub.com ?

Most of the people on here are IDIers. The older diesels. TDI Club will have a lot more people geared towards your car.

Matt

fastvicar · « **Reply #4 on:** June 12, 2008, 05:19:53 am »

+1 on tdiclub. Far more experience with the newer stuff over there.

I doubt that it's the fuel filter. That will often show up with symptoms of low power at high rpm and hard starting in cold weather.

My vote is a relay. Does everything electronic shut off with the engine? A3s and B4s are known for this. A4s could have similar issues.

jtanguay · « **Reply #5 on:** June 12, 2008, 04:02:36 pm »

a/c puts a pretty big load on the motor... i can stall my 1.6TD with a/c on and giving it gas while getting it in gear pretty easy. without a/c is pretty tough... what does the motor idle at???

TDI_Chick · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2008, 08:37:50 pm »

The motor idles at about 800. The electronics continue working even when the engine just drops off. The windshield wipers, the radio, and the fan continue working. It is just the engine which is gone.

jtanguay · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2008, 09:03:40 pm »

hmmm how hard is it to stall the engine when dumping the clutch??? pretty easy???

TDI_Chick · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2008, 03:29:15 pm »

I can't say that I dump the clutch all that often, but i have done it before and it hasn't stalled each time, so it will, but it depends on the situation.