Re: '87 Coupe - electrical fault?

[ti@amb.org (Ti Kan)]

Lorne Colmar writes:
> Anyone had the misfortune to experience the following problem and/or
> know what's causing it?
> 
> I've got a 1987 Coupe (European spec) with the 1781cc engine. A few
> weeks ago, the car successfully passed the annual UK roadworthiness
> test quite happily. Typically, a few days afterwards it started
> playing up.
> 
> Problem: engine cuts out without warning, usually within a half mile
> of starting.
> 
> Symptoms of problem: car starts first time and drives normally until
> cut-out. The fuel gauge, temperature gauge, indicators etc don't work
> at any point though, which leads me to suspect an electrical fault.
> 
> The fact that the car cuts out so soon after start also suggests
> there's not a temperature problem. With the symptoms above, I suspect
> some kind of electrical cut-out is kicking in but I'm at a loss as to
> the whys and wherefores of this. Battery, alternator and earthing have
> all been checked and are fine.

Check the X-contact relay (also known as load-reduction relay),
and the ignition switch.

-Ti
96 A4 2.8 quattro
84 5000S 2.1 turbo
80 4000 2.0
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    ///  Ti Kan                Vorsprung durch Technik
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