I was on my way home tonight when all of a sudden my car just died on me, lost all power and the engine just shut off. When i try and start it their will be power but the engine sill not even crank. I triend lots of stuff but every time i try and start the engine it doesn't even have the slightest smell of gas. I am thinking it might be something to do with the fuel pump... if anybody has any idea of what might be wrong please let me know... Thanks

It doesn't even crank?

If it doesn't crank, there is no electricity. 99% chance your alternator is screwed. Get it rebuilt at a rebuild shop. Much cheaper than Cdn tire rebuilds. Good luck.

Aha, but he says that there's power. You'll have to measure how much with a voltmeter. Also, check to see if your battery connections are tight.

If you have 12v, then you have to ask yourself why the starter doesn't turn (crank the engine), and why the starter would have been effected if your car just 'died' on you.

When the alternator goes on my car, there is still enough power for the radio etc, but the engine will not turn over.

Ken, do you hear a clicking sound under the hood when you try to crank the engine?

When i try and crank the engine there is some response by the engine, it just doesn't want to start... its not like the sound the car makes when it has no power.

Does it turn over but just won't start? If so it may be the dreaded timing belt.

------------------
Darren Schoff
90 Laser Turbo

Ah, broken English. (:

Same here, Ken. So the starter is 'cranking' the engine. You know what it sounds like normally, so does this sound different? If it's the belt, the engine will just make a really fast 'whirrrr' sound as you crank it. If it sounds like normal, but just won't 'catch' to start, chances are it's a problem with your fuel or ignition systems. No fuel, or no spark.

I went away for the weekend and my parents decided that they should bring the car to crappy tire to get checked and they said that it was the crank sensor... Everyone that i talk to says that that might not be the problem... Could that be the cause of my troubles and if so does anybody have an extra one lying around for a 95 tsi?

Not to make you fill your shorts or anything (it could just be the crank sensor died) but alot of times when the crankshaft finally "walks" it take the crank sensor with it. A friend of mine had a similiar experience and crankwalk was the culprit. Keep your fingers crossed, I'll cross mine for ya

What would happen if the crank goes? what would be some of the results?

Well I don't have any first hand experience with my own vehicle, just a friends. She was driving along and the car just died. Couldn't get it to start, so she checked the timing belt, still good. Towed to a local shop, they checked the computer and it had an error relating to the crankangle sensor. Shop goes in to replace the sensor and the thrust bearing is badly worn. She ended up doing a whole motor rebuild which is what most people end up doing. Like I said, hopefully this isn't what happened to your car

That sounds too familiar... Should i even bother getting the crank sensor replaced or just replace the engine?

you could rebuild the engine if the block wasnt damaged but get the crankwalk theory verified first before you plan for the worst.

kinda broke right now... how much tipically is it to rebuild an engine?

If you have a shop remove, rebuild and re-install the motor it's usually $3000-$5000 depending on the shop and the parts used.

Sounds about right. You're looking at $2500-$3500 for a remove and replace with a used or JDM engine...