Why does my car keep cutting out?

[swee'pea99]

No apparent reason, just driving along, maybe slowing down for a roundabout, go to accelerate and realise that the engine's died. Restarts no problem, and away you go. Any thoughts on what might cause it? Obviously I'm going to have to get it fixed, but it would help if I had any idea what it might be. (I have virtually no idea about car mechanics.)

Oh, it's an old (13 yrs) Golf, by the way, but well-maintained and otherwise sound.

 

[fossyant]

Idle Control Air Valve ? Crap in throttle butterfly valve...

 

[bonj2]

lambda sensor.

 

[magnatom]

Time to replace your flux capacitor?

 

[Globalti]

Would you expect cyclists to know anything about cars? Some on here know feck all about bikes....

You need to join up here: http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum//index.php?

 

[swee'pea99]

CC members know everything. I thought everyone knew that.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm off to check the flux capacitor now...

 

[gbb]

Certainly on older cars...no reason for new cars to be any different, if the engine dies when you idle or slow down, that used to be a classic vacuum problem.
It was usually a split vacuum hose, or a hose that'd become disconnected.

Hopefully that'll be all swee'pea...an inexpensive fix.

 

[Ashtrayhead]

Idle Control Air Valve ? Crap in throttle butterfly valve...

Will that mend it?

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks all. I'll check out me Haynes Manual when I get home (to find out where I might find the vacuum hose, for starters). Hopefully it'll be that...sounds like the cheapest solution.

 

[magnatom]

I hope it isn't your flux capacitor, as these cost nearly £200,000 to replace! It does get shipped free though...

 

[Black Sheep]

check the spark plugs,
injectors
air and fuel filters
could be lambada sensor
doubt it'd be butterfly as i'm under the impression that a golf of that age would be injection and engine management.

 

[gbb]

To narrow it down a bit swee'pea, look at the throttle body (carburetter). There'll be a (or some) hoses, black rubber, about 10mm dia. One on my vectra went from the throttle body to the air filter area. There may be others, depends on the car. Look carefully for splits or perishing, loose hoses.
The reality is, if ones split, you may not be able to see it...but the vacuum still can escape.

Only one of several possiblities tho....

 

[Night Train]

Are you sure it's not a fixed? You have to keep pedalling you know.

Sounds like an air leak on the inlet side weakening the mixture when slowing to idle.
Or maybe it just thinks it is and the electronics cuts it out.

 

[byegad]

She will not tak' it Cap'n!

 

[Speicher]

Is there a nut loose behind the steering wheel?