Engine abruptly cuts off while coasting to a stop?

Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
  • 2.5L
  • 5 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 133,000 MILES
Engine abruptly cuts off while coasting to a stop it happened couple times already in a same manner. There are no OBD codes no warning lights, the engine will just shut off on its own while coasting to a red light or similar. It will start back up no problem, it cranks back up in normal time. I am suspecting a fuel pump to be a culprit. I have not done any testing on a fuel pump yet. Otherwise the car starts runs and drives just fine. Please let me know what you think? Thanks
Sunday, November 16th, 2025 AT 8:54 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
KRAKENAUTO
  • MECHANIC
  • 81 POSTS
Are you cranking it back up with the key or does it start back itself once your going again?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 16th, 2025 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Starting it back up with a key
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 16th, 2025 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Any ideas? Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 AT 7:11 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
It has a new battery, alternator is tested and fully functioning.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, November 19th, 2025 AT 7:27 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,610 POSTS
This problem is hard to diagnose because we don't have a trouble code which makes this a difficult repair. But there are popular items that can cause this issue, the first is to service the throttle body. Here is a guide that can help you with that:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/throttle-actuator-service

VW rarely burns up the pump itself, instead, the fuel pump control module (J538) overheats or intermittently drops power. The module sits near fuel pump under the metal cover

Look for:

1. Corrosion
2. Water intrusion
3. Melted plastic
4. Heat discoloration

Here is the location of the fuel pump module and the throttle body so you can service the unit and check out the other. I will email them to you as well. I would also check the engine for vacuum leaks as well, this video will help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRKWV4Are5c&t

Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, November 21st, 2025 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Sounds good I will check on that. I appreciate it very much. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Also if I end up replacing the fuel pump control module do I need to program it? Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, November 22nd, 2025 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,610 POSTS
Nope the FPM is plug and play. Let me know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 23rd, 2025 AT 10:06 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Ok so now it's doing it more frequently and it's triggered a code. However I cannot find the fuel pump relay anywhere on the fuse/relay diagrams so I'm guessing it's one of those that's probably hidden under the dash and not mentioned in the diagram or is it part of the fuel pump module? I have included a screenshot of the code. Thanks
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, December 13th, 2025 AT 8:19 PM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
I'm pretty sure it's one of these? These are the ones directly underneath the steering column. I've included a picture?
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 14th, 2025 AT 9:10 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,610 POSTS
This does not have a traditional fuel pump relay, instead it has an electrical system control module which sounds like it is bad. I would disconnect the battery and remove the electrical connectors and use a flashlight check for corrosion. Here is the info to help confirm the location and problem. Check out the images (below). Let us know what you find.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 15th, 2025 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Ok so I've check the connectors and they'll seem fine there's no corrosion and I have replaced the module itself with the identical one with same part number. The car starts and runs fine except my fob does not work and I get this code which I've included in a picture? I have also replaced all those relays underneath next to the module. Does this module need to be programmed now? Also the donor car that the module came off is 2012 Passat SE and it did have the heated seats, mine does not however as I said the part number is exactly the same and I've included a picture of the modules as well the one with a red question mark is my original one? Thanks
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 21st, 2025 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,610 POSTS
Yes, this module needs to be programmed for the electrical system control module (BCM) to work correctly. To confirm the engine starts and the stalling has gone away? Any repair shop should be able to program it for you, or you can get a preprogrammed unit or send the new and old unit in to have it programmed as well.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 22nd, 2025 AT 9:36 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
I haven't driven it that long since the new module. I will drive it for at least 200 miles before I program the new module to confirm that the program has been taken are of. I will keep you posted. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, December 22nd, 2025 AT 9:57 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,610 POSTS
Sounds good! Glad we can get it closer to being fixed.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
HGWK
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
Ok so after few days the car started doing the same thing, so I replaced the throttle body with another used unit from a junkyard and I reinstalled the original BCM since that did not fix the problem and the car is still doing it. I also checked for the fuel pump module per picture that you provided me with before which this car does not have as it is pointed in the picture. There is nothing on top if the fuel pump assembly as you can see in the pictures I attached. I haven't checked for codes again with my scanner after I did all this which I will do so tomorrow and update this posting. Thanks
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,610 POSTS
Yep, we need the codes to see what is going on, intermittent stalling is the hardest repairs in automotive. I have seen the ignition switch, fuel pump or relay, Motronic engine power relay, crankshaft angle sensor and the MAP sensor cause this as well. But we will get it fixed, just hang in there.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 8th, 2026 AT 8:48 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall While Driving Content

Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
VIDEO
Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
Instructional repair video
Engine Stalls While Driving
GUIDE
Engine Stalls While Driving
An engine that stalls while driving and then starts back up again, either immediately or after a short time is different from an engine that just wont start or if the...
VIEW MORE