1998 Volkswagen Jetta Logo
Posted on Apr 18, 2009

Sluggish response to acceleration and engine randomly shutting of

This has occurred to me more than once and always after I have not driven the car regularly after a few days (I'm in the military and spend a lot of time in the field).  In the past I was able to solve the problem using water removal fuel treatment and fuel system cleaners to my gas but that isn't working now.  So far I have replaced an oxygen sensor, mass air flow sensor, ignition coil, spark plugs and wires, found a short on a ground wire, and tightened the boot around the throttle.  Everyone I have taken this too has treated this like an electrical problem because of a misfire code that was coming up (occasionally appears but just shuts off on its own) but it does not feel like an electrical problem at all...more like a fuel problem.

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  • Contributor 49 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 18, 2009
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Joined: Feb 27, 2009
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Do you usually purchase your fuel at the same station? Sometimes stations have issues with old tanks in the ground that accumulate condensation from old age and or the fuel that is delivered to that station is sub standard for one reason or another. I dont like to assume anything but maybe check around if anyone else has had an issue with stations in your area. Make sure the ground wire that you repaired was fastened on properly on BOTH ENDS of the wire or wiring harness. Did you do a full tune up on your car? Air filter, fuel filter, all the plugs and ALL the wires, Distributor cap and rotor? Have your air flow meter tested to make sure its operating properly. Sometimes if you use to many fuel additives in your engine over time, it can lead to the spark plugs burning to hot and shorten the life span of the plugs. Do you live in a humid environment and if so, you could be collecting moisture in your distributor because of how long the car sits in between use. Sometimes heavy rain and then the sun creating humid conditions, can lead to this problem when the car isnt used on a daily basis. Also make sure that when your airflow sensor was replaced that it was connected securely without any moisture or corrosion on the contact points. Hope you find this helpful or at least leads you toward the right direction.

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