alhambra power loss

[markfg]

I have a seat alhambra 2001 1.9 tdi
It sometimes looses power and drives like a 1.0 fiesta(mostlu when towing caravan).
I have replaced 2 air flow meters( bosch) and problem not solved, have had it plugged in air flow problem is still coming up even though they have been replaced.
At wits end

 

[90landrover]

I have the same problem with my 1999 tdi again only when towing a caravan. It seems to occur when changing down a gear going up hills. I have been told that it is the turbo overboosting and sending the engine into "limp" mode so I just turn off the ignition and re start engine and all is fine.
I have not been able to cure the problem, I have just learned to live with it. I cannot always replicate the problem even when towing the same caravan up the same hill changing down into the same gear but it does not happen when I release the clutch pedal more gentlier.

 

[bmsc22990]

I had similar power prob on old alhambra, but not towing just random times. it turned out to be accellerator pedal sensor. Had to buy whole pedal as was a complete unit but think it was only about £40 from dealer.

 

[pal]

I also have this problem but just have to keep turning the key off & on to reset system.

I don't really want to send it into a garage until we can pin point the fault. If any one has descovered it please let me know as I have already replaced the whole pedal around 2005 and this loss of power only started in Summer 2008.

 

[headshrinker]

Yet another one!! I also have this problem (not towing though) with a 2002 1.9TDI. Between 2000-3000rpm in 3rd or 4th it just dies. Doesn't happen all of the time. I have had the MAF replaced and has made no difference. Any other suggestions what the cause might be would be much appreciated.

 

[Weasle]

99% of the time its the turbo sticking and overboosting . you need a new turbo

 

[trinialhambra]

Where exactly is this Accellerator sensor located please?

My alhamba has been having the boost- limp mode for soem time now, but my accellerator pedal also works very wierdly, gears dont want to change on my tranny.

 

[MarkWales]

Other halfs golf does this also - would love to know the answer before we get rid of the golf

 

[gio]

No need for a new turbo, its usually all done to sticking turbo vanes, there are some chemicals available to dissolve the built up soot, and a few garages offer this service.

But before doing that, if you have half a day spare at the weekend and have use of a decent hill, its worth doing a good old Italian tune up.Warm the engine up first and then repeatedly load the engine up in Forth on a good hill. of course the likely hood is you are going to go into limp home mode but persist by repeatedly loading the engine up. Each time it goes into limp mode pull over switch off then switch back on.

A lot of the time by persisting this actually works, if it does don't forget in future to let your diesel rev past the 3250 rpm mark a few time more regular than maybe you would do as normal, to help the turbo vanes to keep from getting really badly sooted up again.

 

[bulls20042002]

My O2 tdi was doing this all the time,
I read a few about the Vanes, I decided i had nothing to loose so over a few days I drove the car like a rally car,
Warming the engine up the thrashing the nuts of it in 2/3/4 all the way to the limiter!
After a few days job done no more limp mode

So what you gotta loose give it a try !!

 

[gavjeffery]

I have a 2001 tdi (115bhp model). I'm also getting this problem. I previously had a 1998 galaxy tdi that had this problem and was told it could be a faulty or "sticky" EGR valve that was causing the turbo to overboost.

I'm currently running it on 100% bio diesel which is producing much less soot and emissions. I'll try revving the guts out of it but sometimes I've found the engine cuts back in itself which is really strange.