Newbie with a problem

[tonysuperstar]

I am new to this forum, so I am not sure if this has been asked yet or not. Please forgive me if it has.

I have a 2001 Jetta 1.8t. The issue that I am having is that every so often when I am driving down the road, the ECP and Anti Slip light will come on and the car will loose all power. If I turn the car off and back on the ECP light will go out but the anti slip thing will stay on and all power is back, then after a few more minutes the ECP, Anti slip and Check Engine light will all come on at the same time loose power again. Then I turn the car off for about 10 minutes, start the car and no light and all power.

I had a tech do a diag on it and they claim that the error codes return a bad Mass Air flow sensor ( i have had 2 of those now) and a cooling issue, but the temp never gets above normal.

Any ideas?????

Thanks

[mechy1barry]

unclip the m.a.f. and see if it runs better.

[boschmann]

Do you know the code numbers you got? It's actually uncommon to get a direct code for the MAF, usually they are out of calibration & you have to diagnose the erroneous readings indirectly. It sounds more like a wheel speed sensor problem or related item to me. When the anti-slip is activeted it will cut you engine's power considerably. A bad MAF would loose power all the time. Was you friend able to access the ABS system?

[tonysuperstar]

I am not sure what the error codes where. It happed again today. I will ask him to give me the codes this time if that will help.

I really appreciate the replies, and boschmann I am not sure what a wheel speed sensor is, but it sounds interesting. Do you mind expanding on it a bit?

Thanks.

[boschmann]

The ABS & anti-slip system uses sensors at each wheel to monitor it's individual speed. If it senses one wheel stopped (skidding) while the others are in motion then it will activate the system. The ABS won't activate because you're not on the brake pedal, but the anti-slip will & it will cause the engine to cut power (basically missfire) in order to allow the slipping wheel to stop slipping. If this is the case it would be one of the front sensors acting up. It could also just be a fault in the system. As far as why you have a MAF code & temp code I cannot diagnose from here. Remember there is a seperate part of the temp sensor that provides a reading to the ECM. The gauge part of the sensor may be fine. You will need a scanner with datastream capability (& someone familiar with reading the data) to diagnose.

[tonysuperstar]

Thank you. That was very informative. I have been told that the codes showed some misfires. The VW Dealer tried to sell me a $1,500 maintinance thing when that happend, but I just had the plugs replaced instead. I am going take it in tomorrow. They are going to put in a P-Chip. This may solve everything, or make everything worse. We will see.

Thanks again.