Opinion's on weird engine start please

[Swainey32]

OK, so havn't had any issues at all in the two months with my mk4,
but today, turned it on, as I did something felt funny, looked at the revs and was jumping between 200-600RPM then it turned itself off. did this 2 more times then after this it started fine. Screen said "Alternator Workshop" each time the revs where jumping like made, but it's said this before when I've stalled so never thought that was an issue.

But for "better to be safe than sorry" thinking before driving into work thought i'd get the multimeter out.
Whilst engine on 14.4V (PERFECT), whilst engine is off 13.3V (Still good for an idle battery). This means alternator hasn't gone. Will double check in the morning what my battery reading is.

Then when I started to drive, in first 5 minutes, felt like I dropped from 5th to 3rd, clutch grabbed for a second, then let go again and went back to normal, this happened 4 times but after that first 5 minutes it ran perfect. On the way home after 9 hours at work, it started fine first time, revs at normal place, none of this clutch lurching and everything seemed A OK.

Just wondering what the fuck it was doing,
For the hours leading up to the incident, washed the car in the morning, then drove to my normal petrol station, filled up then went home. Car was off for lets say 1.5 hours then left for work. Wondering whether water got into something it shouldn't have but I don't think so...Or whether the fuel isn't quiet right....Or whether there's some strange engine fault that I should be worried about.

When my golf was with John from Tigersoft the other day he did a quick engine diagnostics to see if there was any errors and nothing came up then so I can't imagine anything changed in the week.

Well, let us know what you think please,
Cheers

[WhiteturboGolf]

If your RPM drops below 600 or so the alternator warning light will come up automatically.

[Swainey32]

Ahhh, well thats good to know, always wondered why it would come up for stalling (not that I do this regularly, only when I first got her :P )
Thanks

[WhiteturboGolf]

Maybe the throttle body is playing up?
See if your cruise control is working

[Swainey32]

Cruise control doesn't work since I bought it, on my "To Do List" haha,
So can't check that,
could the throttle body muck up the cruise control but everything else works well until today?

[WhiteturboGolf]

Cruise control doesn't work since I bought it, on my "To Do List" haha,
So can't check that,
could the throttle body muck up the cruise control but everything else works well until today?

Yes
carry out basic settings on throttle body with a scanner and go from there

[Swainey32]

Will any mechanic be able to look at this or will I need to go for a VW service?
Or when I go back to tigersoft for a tune get him to look at it?
cheers for you help

[Swainey32]

Cleaned Throttle Body - Check
Replace Coolant Sensor - Check

Engine issues resolved - Not So Much

Seriously, WTF is happening.
Booked into the mechanic monday.
Can't get the car to stay on when idling.
When starting up, engine is really rough until I put my foot on the accelerator and get it over 1500RPM.
Occasional smoke out of exhaust.
So worried I've bought a dud with some sort of major engine fault.
Any ideas people.
cheers

[Mr_Bob]

I had a similar problem with a mirage,
Turned out to be a valve that manages airflow on cold starts getting stuck... ICM valve?
Could also be a vacuum leak, bad fuel or electrical problem

[Swainey32]

Well I did fill up just before it all started but when I get it going it runs fine, even at higher RPM so I've cancelled out the bad fuel option.
I'll ask the mechanic to check the airflow. Thinking it might be computer related.
Might need to get the ECU bench marked and reset all settings, seems to be a tad fucked I think :S
I still dunno whats happening