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melinabraun1

VW Caddy Gas Engine Stalling Due to Rail Sensor Issues

Need advice, Engine stalling and rail pressure sensor troubles on my 2000 VW Caddy. Check engine light keeps coming on and engine loses power, especially at idle. Running a gas engine with 63641km. Been to a mechanic before but had bad experience. Anyone dealt with similar rail pressure sensor issues on these models? Looking for tips on what to check and mechanic recommendations.

4 comment(s)

berndraven78

Had similar rail pressure sensor issues on my 1997 VW Golf with the 1.8 gasoline engine. The symptoms matched exactly, engine performance dropping significantly and constant check engine light warnings. The main problem was the fuel pressure sensor sending incorrect readings to the ECU, causing improper fuel injection. This created a cycle where the engine would get either too much or too little fuel, leading to stalling. The diagnostic showed two issues: Failed rail pressure sensor, Contaminated fuel pressure regulator This turned out to be quite serious as continued driving could have damaged the fuel injection system further. The repair required: Complete rail pressure sensor replacement, Fuel system cleaning, Recalibration of the engine management system After fixing these issues, the engine performance returned to normal and the check engine light stayed off. The job took about 4 hours in total. For your Caddy, suggest checking: 1. Get the exact error codes read 2. Have the fuel pressure tested 3. Inspect the wiring to the rail pressure sensor 4. Test the fuel pressure regulator These symptoms really need proper diagnosis, attempting temporary fixes could lead to more expensive repairs later.

melinabraun1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing that experience. My Caddy had very similar issues last year, fuel pressure problems causing engine stalling and power loss. Really helpful to know about checking the pressure regulator too. Do you remember roughly what the repair cost came to? And has everything stayed running smoothly since the fix? Just wondering if any other engine performance issues popped up later. Having dealt with a poor mechanic before, its good to know what worked for someone else with the same rail pressure sensor troubles.

berndraven78

Glad I could share my experience. The repairs on my Golf worked out perfectly, no more engine stalling or performance issues since fixing the rail pressure sensor. Just had it done last month and paid 240€ for the complete job, which included replacing the defective pressure sensor. The fuel injection system now works flawlessly, with stable idle and proper engine performance across all speeds. The mechanic did a thorough job checking the entire fuel system while they were at it, which probably helped prevent any follow-up issues. The diagnostic readings are all normal now, and the check engine light has stayed off since the repair. If your symptoms match what I experienced, getting that rail pressure sensor checked and replaced if needed would likely solve your problems too. Based on how the repair went, I would say its worth paying for proper diagnosis and repair rather than trying quick fixes that might not last. Engine stalling issues usually point to something specific that needs addressing.

melinabraun1 (Author)

I finally got the Caddy fixed last week and wanted to update everyone. Found a reliable mechanic who properly diagnosed the fuel injection system. The rail pressure sensor was failing, just as suggested here. Total repair came to 280€ including: New pressure sensor, Full system diagnostic, Fuel system cleaning, Labor costs The check engine light is now off and engine performance is back to normal. No more stalling at idle or power loss issues. The mechanic also showed me the old sensor, it was completely corroded. What really helped was knowing exactly what to ask about thanks to the advice here. Saved time and probably money by going in with a clear idea of the likely problem. The new mechanic confirmed the fuel pressure regulator was also starting to fail, so replaced that too while everything was apart. Glad I got it sorted properly this time instead of going for quick fixes. The engine runs perfectly now, might even keep the Caddy a few more years.

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