Hi! New member here!
I have a 2001 Golf TDI with what I beleive to be the ALH, and 280 000km.
Last night was particularly cold at -25C. The car doesn't have a block heater. VagCom says plug #3 is defective (CEL is on). And I have the OEM 600-something cold crank amp battery.
So of course a boost was in order. The car sputtered and started after making its hate for winter loud and obvious for 10 seconds of cranking.
I let it warm up for 15 minutes, and went on my way. Only for the car to die on me after driving driving maybe 4 km.
All lights went out, but she eventually started again only to die a few seconds later.
Tried boosting again. She cranked fine, but no ignition, not even a sputter.
I'm thinking the fuel lines are frozen and it ran on what was in the fuel filter until she died.
All throughout this ordeal the check-oil light occasionally blinked on.
Any help is greatly appreciated. And yes, a block heater is on my Christmas list!
-Gabo
Very good chance you have gelled up fuel, yeah the symptoms are just right. There's a product called Power Service 911 that might be good to get you going again:
http://powerservice.com/psp_product/diesel-911/How old is the fuel in your tank?
I AM kind of wondering about your comment that "all the lights went out" as that's a bit weird. That leads me more towards an electrical issue. Actually given that you disturbed the power distribution block on the top of the battery (a very common trouble spot on the Mk4) I would definitely give that a thorough check.
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I towed it to my shop and let it warm up inside a bit. It still refused to start, but turned over fine.
I figured the pump pulled in air so I cracked the injector nuts a quarter turn, purged the air out (first time I ever tried this) and it fired up after turning over twice.
It runs perfect now, but I occasionally see debris flowing in the clear line from the filter to the pump. A new filter is definitely on the short list.
Debris? You mean air bubbles?
Debris as in greyish spots floating in the fuel.
The car is again parked at the shop. This time du to the starter failing. I believe I was overly enthusiastic with the cranking.
you should be seeing NO, that is -zero- debris, and no color change in the fuel flowing INTO the injpump. #1 thing, change out fuel filter and keep it and air filter in proper order.
debris, or coloring running into injpump can quickly foul it. and on to injectors.
i prime a new fuel filter(use inlet).
another thing when it gets cold out, ooh for me about,below 20dg f and lower, a good amount of anti-gel, like the power service stuff, then again ive heard in some cases that stuff isnt always warranty covered/acceptable. i also use some fuel treatment along with.