VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

EEE
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VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by EEE »

I sincerely hope someone can help me.

I have had my golf at various auto electricians that are baffled by its problem!
This is what it does:
while driving it sporadically does the following: the rev needle starts jumping up and down and then eventually settles on the zero, the oil light then comes on and an alarm is heard. the actual revs of the car are unchanged and there is no problem with the oil/water or anything, it then goes up to whatever the actual revs are for a while and is fine! often repeating this about 4 times in 30 km's, as I say this does not always happen, some trips never and some trips constantly.

all the sensors have been changed, there were some loose wires that were fixed and all the connections have been checked....
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by EEE »

I forgot to say it is a 2005 model
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Torker »

Don't know what the problem could be with the rev counter but the oil pressure warning is as a result of the rev counter not working (getting signal). The fact that the oil pressure goes of as well points to a wiring/boardnetz fault - not a fault on the rev counter or cluster itself.
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Psycho8v »

Hiya buddy. Welcome to the forum. :hi:

Have you tried cleaning the two fuses by the battery in the engine bay?
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by EEE »

Torker wrote:Don't know what the problem could be with the rev counter but the oil pressure warning is as a result of the rev counter not working (getting signal). The fact that the oil pressure goes of as well points to a wiring/boardnetz fault - not a fault on the rev counter or cluster itself.
Thanks will pass that on and also check the batteries!!! will let you guys know :twisted:
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by EEE »

Psycho1400 wrote:Hiya buddy. Welcome to the forum. :hi:

Have you tried cleaning the two fuses by the battery in the engine bay?
Will check Psycho, and thanks for the warm welcome!!!! :hi:
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Psycho8v »

EEE wrote:
Psycho1400 wrote:Hiya buddy. Welcome to the forum. :hi:

Have you tried cleaning the two fuses by the battery in the engine bay?
Will check Psycho, and thanks for the warm welcome!!!! :hi:
Just to add, my one fuse was buggering me around once, I think it's the smaller amp rating of the two. Drove out of the yard, oil light came on and buzzer sounded, rev counter was dead as well. When I switched my indicators on the lights on the cluster didn't show that they were on, but physically they were working fine. Cleaned the fuse, problem solved. Give it a try, as this sounds like your culprit. :hi:

Good luck bud
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Scatman »

Those two big fuses on the side of the battery are really crap. Clean them with some petrol, don't use sand paper on them. Otherwise I'd check the connection to the cluster. If you want I can post up a link on how to remove most of your dash..
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by EEE »

Scatman wrote:Those two big fuses on the side of the battery are really crap. Clean them with some petrol, don't use sand paper on them. Otherwise I'd check the connection to the cluster. If you want I can post up a link on how to remove most of your dash..
Thanks scatman, would appreciate it!
I checked the fuses, cleaned them with petrol, they were filthy!! Took the car for a test drive and had not even gone 500m and it started again!!!! :mad:

Do you think it might also help to replace the fuses?
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by EEE »

Psycho1400 wrote:
EEE wrote:
Psycho1400 wrote:Hiya buddy. Welcome to the forum. :hi:

Have you tried cleaning the two fuses by the battery in the engine bay?
Will check Psycho, and thanks for the warm welcome!!!! :hi:
Just to add, my one fuse was buggering me around once, I think it's the smaller amp rating of the two. Drove out of the yard, oil light came on and buzzer sounded, rev counter was dead as well. When I switched my indicators on the lights on the cluster didn't show that they were on, but physically they were working fine. Cleaned the fuse, problem solved. Give it a try, as this sounds like your culprit. :hi:

Good luck bud
Hi Psycho
cleaned the fuses (they were filthy) with petrol and took car for test drive, not even 500m later and it started up again!!!!! do you think I should replace the fuses first before we tackle the cluster?
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Scatman »

EEE wrote:
Scatman wrote:Those two big fuses on the side of the battery are really crap. Clean them with some petrol, don't use sand paper on them. Otherwise I'd check the connection to the cluster. If you want I can post up a link on how to remove most of your dash..
Thanks scatman, would appreciate it!
I checked the fuses, cleaned them with petrol, they were filthy!! Took the car for a test drive and had not even gone 500m and it started again!!!! :mad:

Do you think it might also help to replace the fuses?
http://vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=107836

There is a DIY on how to remove your dash. Basically you just need to remove the cluster and re-seat the two connectors at the back. While you're there, check that the plugs are seated nnicely on the brown box behind the cluster as well.

Image

The only other thing I can think of is a connection issues with your oil pressure switch on your oil filter housing, or the speedometer wire going to the pickup on your gearbox.
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Scatman »

It wouldn't hurt to replace the fuses, but I don't think that's the problem
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by EEE »

Thanks guys, you are awesome!!!!!

really appreciate your advice, hope the friggin thing gets sorted now hehehehe
I am ready to gooi 'n match in the flippen tank!!!!!!
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Psycho8v »

Did you clean the fuse holder with some electrical cleaner? And is the fuse making contact? What I did was bend the legs of the fuses very slightly in opposite directions to make sure the damn thing made contact.
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by EEE »

Psycho will do that........thanks again....
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Psycho8v »

Also maybe check that the lugs are tightly connected to the fuse holder. If that doesn't fix it, then it's time to move on to something Scatlam mentioned. (start at the easiest stuff first)
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by spuddy »

Hi Guys, new to this forum sohope I am posting on the right place. My Citi 1.4i (with new dash) is behaving strangely. Sometimes when I switch the car of my instrument cluster goes dead and the radio goes into safe mode. When I pull my high beam lever backwards the cluster goes on again (or if I start the car). While I am driving and use my indicators or flash my lights the car gives a jerk (as if the ignition is switched of and on again). I have changed my main fuses and the problem would dissapear for a day or two before returning. I cleaned my battery cables and same scenario. Battery and alternator tested and seems fine. Can this be a relay problem? I have noticed that the problem usually start when the car is hot. What baffles me is that it only happens on some occasions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by THANAS »

This is my most favouritestest complaint from all citi golf owners that go through it. 9.5 times out of 10 it's a bad earth wire, not just a bad earth connection. Replace your earth strap with an new one or make a DIY, uprated earth strap.

The earth wire that leads from the battery to the body and then to the gearbox corrodes/degrades internally (i.e. no visible evidence on the outside of the wire).

TL;DR

Replace your earth strap, live life.
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Tashveer »

Hi Guys,

Anybody know of any spare shops that stock the fuse holders by the battery? I seem to be having crap in the mornings whereby the car won't start. Gota press the fuse down and then it starts. I tried bending the legs as well but no luck.

Also cleaned them up proper but still the same issue. So hoping a new fuse holder will sort this out?
I tried GW Delaray and the guy said they don't keep those holders. Also noticed that they riveted onto the body.
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Citi 007 »

Tashveer wrote:Hi Guys,

Anybody know of any spare shops that stock the fuse holders by the battery? I seem to be having crap in the mornings whereby the car won't start. Gota press the fuse down and then it starts. I tried bending the legs as well but no luck.

Also cleaned them up proper but still the same issue. So hoping a new fuse holder will sort this out?
I tried GW Delaray and the guy said they don't keep those holders. Also noticed that they riveted onto the body.
motolek keeps almost everything electrical for your car. Give one in your area a shout
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Shadows101Fall »

Did you come right? It sounds like an earth problem like thanas said, but it could also be the coil pack, I believe the rev meter gets its signal from there, try and get someone with a working one to test.
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by my_citi1.8i »

OP did you manage to resolve this issue. Im facing the same challenge and its k@k irritating. sigh
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Boost »

my_citi1.8i wrote: Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:23 am OP did you manage to resolve this issue. Im facing the same challenge and its k@k irritating. sigh
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Bighuey »

Hello to the vwclub having issues with my tenaciti golf 1.4i. The car cuts out while driving or when turning the key off. Replaced the ignition coil, it was fine for two days then started having issues again i am pissed only had the car for 3 weeks now. Please help
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Re: VW Citi Golf 1.4i - electrical problem

Post by Masekela erens »

Eee, m face the same problem how did u come right with it,,
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