ABF'd MK1 tin top cutting out

Hi all
Not been that active on here for a while as the car has been off the road for a couple of years. However, now its hit 40 I though I'd better sort it out.

Got her insured last Friday and had a little run, so thought I'd take it to work to day. Got about 4 miles...

Just cut out.
At first I though fuel pump as I couldn't hear it. It's usually pretty noisy, but there was just too much background noise.
I also though it could be the 2 yr old fuel in the tank, but when running it was sweet so unlikely to be that.

Then after a 30 min cool down, it started back up. So not fuel pump, or fuel me thinks.
I tried to get home, but I got less than half a mile in traffic so thought I'd sit tight and call AA as I was in a reasonably safe none obstructive place.

AA man thinks ABF ignition module.

I posted up on the Facebook page, and to be expected got a fairly mixed response.

Including some of the following:-
Hall effect sensor
Crank / cam sensor (seems to be a popular choice)
Fuel pump relay
Coil
Coolant temp sensor
ECU relay
WUR (didn't think the ABF had one)
Distributor
Injector seals

As it is an intermittent fault I only know if it is in fault mode if it stops.

I do have VCDS - will it help me? I'll see if it's logged any codes later, but I'm a very infrequent user (read complete novice)

Clearly I don't just want to throw a load of money at it and hope.

So where to start?Any suggestions with links to diagnose?

I quite enjoyed the 4 miles I had, but need to be confident I have found the fault before taking it out again.
Many thanks



 

OK, so I have discovered that Carista and VCDS are not likely to help me.

I have also discovered I have a spare crank position sensor in my kit, so going to try that first.

Changed out the CPS (bit awkward, but only took an hour) and left the car running for about 45 mins. It was proper hot (~110C) on dash as it was in the garage, but didn't cut out at all.
Next is to take it for a run, if i'm brave enough.

Fingers crossed, intermittent faults are always the hardest to solve.

what fuel system are you running mate ?

Agreed. I'd rather it just break and not run again until the issue is fixed.

Std mk3 fuel injection system and ECU.

Found some small holes in the coolant circuit in the return pipe from header tank to top of rad. 
Waiting for new pipe then take her for a run. Fingers crossed…

Taken it for a good run and all seems good. Fingers crossed.

Definitely need to sort the suspension out though. Way too crashy.