2001 Jetta 1.8T Stalls

[texasjettaowner]

Ok I am looking for a first direction... I have a 2001 Jetta 1.8T (Automatic) is the newer part of the model year. When we stop at a light sometimes the engines just stalls. It acts just like you turned the key off for a flash. it might happen right away or 1 minute into waiting. Most of the time the engine will catch itself around 200 RPM and go back to idle. This happens once every 50 times or so you stop. It will totally die 1 out of 20 times rhis occurs. It will not lock in a code so I cannot see what is causing it. About 8 months ago a got the MAF to lock in. I did not replace because I wanted to make it do it again before I purchased the part. But now no code lock are happening. What would be the first thing on this year model unit you would replace as a shot in the dark? I have 97k on the engine as it runs like a top except for

[veedubmechanic]

Breather lines under the intake manifold. About 450.00 to replace them all + labor to install. Open the hood and look for oil residue on the plastic, rubber hoses under the intake manifold on the transmission side. also smell for oil residue

[duey163]

I'm just a shade tree mechanic, but my wifes Jetta (2000 1.8T) experienced a similar problem, except that when i would start the engine, it would idle for a few seconds and then fall on it's face. the OBD didn't send me info to make me suspect the MAF, but i took a chance by unplugging the MAF. this is how it went (in the "Monster Garage"). first i popped the hood, walked to the drivers side of the car, started the car, jumped out of the car, ran to the engine compartment and unplugged the MAF before the vehicle stalled. as soon as i unplugged the MAF, the RPM's picked up and sounded as if "all systems were GO". so, not exactly sure what the disadvantages (poor gas mileage, excessive carbon build up, etc.) are of running your car w/o the MAF plugged in, but you may want to try doing that just to see if you car idles poorly...it's possible that your MAF hasn't gone completely "mad", and it's just an intermittent problem. good luck.