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1995 Volkswagen GTI Repair Question


Topics covered: Body, Engine, Gas.
Mileage: 193,000 miles.

Asked on August 16, 2012

Rough idle (high then low rpms) and surges or lurches when coasting. Hood wont open

My 95 GTI VR6 has about 60k on engine and 193 on tranny/car. It starts up great, but sometimes idles up and down in rpms while sitting still. It drives okay in lower speeds and shifts smoothly, but when I let off gas to coast, it lurches. When I push on the gas or depress the clutch, it goes away. happens in 1st, 2nd, 3rd. I have only had the car for a few months and dont drive it much, but it didnt do that the first few weeks (it wasnt 90 to 100 degrees then either, in case thats a factor.) Everything else seems to be working fine. My thoughts go to a bad ECM / ECU, a leak in vacuum somewhere, or some Idle control valve, etc. Unfortunately, the hood cable is broken and cant get into engine to take a look.
Avatar Asked by VR6 driver

Answer

Replied on August 16, 2012

try cleaning the throttle plate on both sides with chokeor fuel injector spray clener. wipe it all out if you cansee if that helps.

Tiny Answered by hmac300 (expert)
17,874 answers provided
Replied on August 18, 2012

Thanks, I will try that,... Not exactly sure where that is, but can figure it out most likely. I finally got the hood to unlatch. I also found that the hose leading into the air filter box is cracked open... could this be part of the problem (even though its not cold outside) I will replace it too.

Tiny Response from VR6 driver
2 questions asked
Replied on August 18, 2012

the throttle plate is at the end of your air duct going to the motor. make sure to hook up air duct before starting car.

Tiny Answered by hmac300 (expert)
17,874 answers provided

Replied on August 18, 2012

'95 Throttle Body should be non-motorized and closes 100% when at
idle (no air past throttle plate).

The Idle Air Valve is used to bypass air around the throttle body
for Idle purposes.

A scan of ECM data via VCDS would be the best way to track down what
is going on (fault codes, fuel trim correction etc).

Thomas

Tiny Answered by exovcds
0 questions asked
Replied on August 18, 2012

this type of situation won't appear as a fault code because the computer thinks it's working.

Tiny Answered by hmac300 (expert)
17,874 answers provided
Replied on August 18, 2012

I beg to differ... "Idle Control" faults are common. Idle regulation
faults (Idle to High, Idle too low) will be flagged if there is an
issue.

Even if no code is stored... a scan tool can be of help, by viewing
ECM inputs.

Thomas

Tiny Answered by exovcds
0 questions asked

Replied on August 18, 2012

true if a pro does this, not your average person that emails in to get some type of answer.Most of the people don't even have a scanner let alone how to u se one.

Tiny Answered by hmac300 (expert)
17,874 answers provided
Replied on August 18, 2012

I am merely providing info... just like you with your cleaning of
the throttle.

Thomas

Tiny Answered by exovcds
0 questions asked