VW Bora Engine Cuts Out While Driving, Warning Light On

I had a similar issue with my 2003 VW Golf, and after dealing with unusual shutdowns, I understand how frustrating this can be. With some experience working on VWs, let me share what happened in my case. The main problem turned out to be a heavily discharged car battery that was causing the start-stop system to malfunction. Initially, I also thought it might be the starter motor, but the workshop diagnosed that the battery was no longer holding proper charge. After a complete electrical system check, they found the original battery was failing and causing voltage drops, which triggered the warning lights and unusual shutdowns. The repair cost me 290€, including diagnostic time and a new battery installation. The idle stop function started working properly again after the battery replacement, and the automatic restart issues completely disappeared. Before suggesting more specific solutions, could you share: Current battery age, Whether the shutdowns happen more frequently during cold starts, If you notice dimming lights before the shutdown occurs, Whether the check engine light stays on permanently This information would help determine if your symptoms match what I experienced with my Golf. Since VW electrical systems from that era share many components, the solution might be similar.

Thanks for sharing those details. At 46352km and just after my latest service, I am also experiencing these exact symptoms. The automatic restart fails out of nowhere, and I notice the battery issue seems worse during cold weather. After reading about your experience, I checked my battery voltage which drops to 11.2V while running, definitely not normal. The engine stalling happens more frequently when using power-hungry features like AC and headlights. The workshop mentioned potential problems with the alternator but were unsure. Your insights about the battery causing similar symptoms make a lot of sense, especially since these VW models are known for electrical sensitivities. Did your mechanic mention if there were signs of alternator problems before confirming it was just the battery? Would help to know before I commit to any repairs.

Thanks for the follow-up. Those voltage readings definitely confirm what I suspected about your battery issue. In my case, the workshop actually tested the alternator first before concluding it was just the battery causing problems. The alternator output tested normal at 14.2V, but the battery itself couldnt maintain proper charge, leading to those same engine stalling symptoms you described. A failing battery can mask itself as alternator trouble, especially in these VW models where the electrical system is quite sensitive. When they replaced my car battery, they also found corrosion on the terminals which was contributing to the voltage drops. The complete fix involved: New battery installation (190€), Terminal cleaning and replacement (35€), System diagnostic (65€) After the repair, my voltage stayed steady at 14V while running, and the unusual engine stalling completely stopped. The automatic start-stop feature started working reliably again, even in cold weather with high electrical loads. Given your similar symptoms and voltage readings, I strongly suspect youre dealing with the same battery-related problem rather than an alternator issue. Getting the battery tested and replaced would be a good first step before investigating more complex electrical problems.

Thanks for all the detailed feedback. Your explanation about the electrical symptoms really helped me understand what might be happening with my car. After checking my battery myself, I found its manufacturing date shows its over 5 years old, which explains a lot about these problems. The voltage readings and symptoms match exactly what you described. I notice the battery issue is definitely worse during cold starts, and the engine stalling happens most when using multiple electrical components. The eco mode and automatic restart features are completely unreliable now. I called around and found a shop that can do a full electrical system check including battery testing for 75€. They mentioned they can also clean the terminals and test the alternator output while diagnosing the starter motor function. Before I take it in next week, I will monitor if the voltage drops further or if any new electrical symptoms appear. Its reassuring to know your VW had similar issues that were resolved with just a battery replacement rather than major electrical work. Will update once I get the results from the diagnostic test. Thanks again for helping me avoid potentially unnecessary alternator replacement costs.