Engine stall around 100kph?

[megz]

Driving on the freeway yesterday and lost power doing around 100kph. It felt like there was a clunk in the driveline so I was sure something serious had happened. I pulled over, still in gear, and before I came to a stop she kicked back to life again as though nothing had ever happened. Then drove the remaining 150kms home no problem.

I’m pretty sure it was a complete stall but as you all know at that speed in a 300tdi ambient sound is a little noisy... and dashboard lights are hard enough to see at the best of times let alone in the afternoon sun.

Any thoughts what this could have been? Fuel? Would timing belt cause something like this?

Thanks in advance.

Dave

[rick130]

I'd guess corrosion on the spade on the injection pump solenoid, had a similar occurrence a few times.
It turns the fuel off as the connection is dodgy.

Remove and clean up with contact cleaner and scotchbrite.

The t/case can pop out of high range if the detents aren't tight or it isn't properly engaged, but it won't magically re-engage

[Bazzle218]

I'd guess corrosion on the spade on the injection pump solenoid, had a similar occurrence a few times.
It turns the fuel off as the connection is dodgy.

Remove and clean up with contact cleaner and scotchbrite.

The t/case can pop out of high range if the detents aren't tight or it isn't properly engaged, but it won't magically re-engage

As Rick said fuel solenoid wire, had it happen a few times as you described. My fix was to eventually remove and replace spade terminal and add 5cm to the wire. Mine was a bit tight This fixed the problem.

[megz]

I'd guess corrosion on the spade on the injection pump solenoid, had a similar occurrence a few times.
It turns the fuel off as the connection is dodgy.

Remove and clean up with contact cleaner and scotchbrite.

The t/case can pop out of high range if the detents aren't tight or it isn't properly engaged, but it won't magically re-engage

Thanks Rick, much appreciated. I'll check that first thing (I did have the stop solenoid on the injector pump replaced less than 12 months ago after the vehicle was intermittently not starting after long drives but maybe they left the old terminal on.)

As I mentioned I didn't notice any red lights on the dash (doesn't mean they weren't there...) but it got me thinking if there was an electrical issue for example something as simple as the positive battery terminal disconnecting for a moment, this might cause such behaviour? Any experience with this happening before?

Cheers,

Dave

[Thomas27488]

Had exactly the same problem.
Mine was the injector harness filling up with oil and leaking back to the ECU.
Changed the harness and the gasket and worked like new afterwards.

Plenty of threads (including my own) describing this!
Good luck!

[rick130]

Had exactly the same problem.
Mine was the injector harness filling up with oil and leaking back to the ECU.
Changed the harness and the gasket and worked like new afterwards.

Plenty of threads (including my own) describing this!
Good luck!

We all might be struggling to find the harness and ECU in a Tdi

[Don 130]

Give the female spade connector a squeeze with pliers after you've cleaned it, to make it a snug fit on the male. That cured mine.
Don.