Stalls when you give it gas

[Phatblackhatch]

When I try to start the car [ 90 awd tsi] it sputters, then dies, when you try to start it and the moment you give it gas it cuts out! it does this 5 or six more time then it runs really sluggish and gradually picks up, dies, then u start iot it fires right up..what could that be. Check engine light comes and goes while idling driving.
ANY IDEAS?

 

[oldman]

First thing first, retrieve the codes.

 

[Talesin]

Similar problem here. Does it sound like (for lack of a better comparison) a popcorn machine? Like two of the cylinders might not be firing? In my case, I have DTC #44... almost certain that it's the CAS though, as I had to cut and solder the wires. Might be coincidence, but twitching them around for a while seems to get it to start fully, even though it'll occasionally throw the CEL during driving, especially under hard accel, decel or cornering.
Oddly, thout the CEL is cleared after an ECU reset (pulling the lower-right fuse in the left ankle fuse box for a minute or three), the DTC is stored.

Halfway suspecting my coilpack, but that's just paranoia playing up, given that I'll be kicking myself if I shell out for a new CAS and the problem persists.

Possible secondary symptom, if you have a fuel pressure gauge, check to see if it will sometimes pop up to 40psi with vac (while idling smoothly), then settle down to a proper 26-28, seemingly at random. Mine seems to be doing that, though I'm not convinced that it's related.

 

[Phatblackhatch]

Thanks for the info guys, I plan to check the codes..But the new england weather is not giving me a chance...its been raining for the last week. Anyway I realised this evening, that my coolant sensor temp connector is not there...burnt clean off...Could this have anything to do with it?..I am getting really frustrated with this car..it was running fine..and then it just sh*t the bed for absolutely no reason.

 

[oldman]

I know how you feel, I have been grounded since Friday and there are so much to do. Just be patient with it, pull the codes first and take it one at a time. Post back results and we will try and help.

 

[jmartinez1228]

Thanks for the info guys, I plan to check the codes..But the new england weather is not giving me a chance...its been raining for the last week. Anyway I realised this evening, that my coolant sensor temp connector is not there...burnt clean off...Could this have anything to do with it?..I am getting really frustrated with this car..it was running fine..and then it just sh*t the bed for absolutely no reason.

I honestly could say that that could be one of the reasons why your car isnt starting, a buddy of mines had the same problem and it was a bad coolent temp sensor, i see your from Connecticut PM ME i have a datalogger and might be able to help out

 

[fiveSFE]

my car is doing the same thing, my logger is showing a code 41(i think) which is injector pulse, the car doesnt like to idle till it is warmed up, then it drives like a champ, and if i start it while its warm it drives great also.

edit: it also hesitates a bit till its warm

 

[DiamondStarM]

Have a friend look under the hood at night time while you try to crank it over and check to see if the plug wires are arcing to the valve cover. That could cause the hesitation when you step on the gas. You cant always see the arc though, so if you have a spare set it would be better to switch them out as a test.