91 golf stall while driving, will not start

I have a 91 Golf gl, digfant II. I was driving home from work today
and the engine sputtered down then died mid-drive. I drive a manual
and was able to coast into a parking lot. The oil pressure light was
flickering the entire time the engine was sputtering down. In the
parking lot I checked the oil, it was good. I tried restarting but it
would not turn over, it just turned and turned. I didn't smell
anything funny or see anything that was out of place (it was pretty
dark out, though).

I've had this symptom before and it turned out that I ecu and icm had
failed. I replaced both with a pair I pulled from a junkyard jetta
with same year and numbers. It's been running fine since (~6months
ago).

I'm going to check things out tomorrow when it's light out. I was
curious if anyone knew how to test the ecu or icm for failure. Also if
anyone has any other ideas as to what could be the culprit I'd be
greatly appreciate it.

thanks,
-Matt Johnson

Well the engine did "turn over" or "crank over" but just did not "start up".


The non-start could be a problem with:
Compression
Fuel
Spark

Check the intake manifold boot to make sure it is not leaking/cracked.
Timing belt could be bad and missing some teeth. Usually the engine sounds
different while it is cranking over.
Fuel pump relay or the pumps may be bad.
DO YOU HAVE GAS IN THE TANK? I had to ask!
Distributor rotors, if not Bosch, sometimes go bad.
Ign coil or the ign module can also go bad like the Hall Sensor in the ign
distributor or the ign switch.

Gotta test things to see what is still working. Got a repair manual like a
Bentley?
--
later,
dave
(One out of many daves)


"mini chifa" wrote in message

>I have a 91 Golf gl, digfant II. I was driving home from work today
> and the engine sputtered down then died mid-drive. I drive a manual
> and was able to coast into a parking lot. The oil pressure light was
> flickering the entire time the engine was sputtering down. In the
> parking lot I checked the oil, it was good. I tried restarting but it
> would not turn over, it just turned and turned. I didn't smell
> anything funny or see anything that was out of place (it was pretty
> dark out, though).
>
> I've had this symptom before and it turned out that I ecu and icm had
> failed. I replaced both with a pair I pulled from a junkyard jetta
> with same year and numbers. It's been running fine since (~6months
> ago).
>
> I'm going to check things out tomorrow when it's light out. I was
> curious if anyone knew how to test the ecu or icm for failure. Also if
> anyone has any other ideas as to what could be the culprit I'd be
> greatly appreciate it.
>
> thanks,
> -Matt Johnson
>