Throttle Losing Power

[milly143]

My Dad took my car to go shopping last weekend and got about 3 miles when the throttle just went while he was driving. He had to roll it home on tickover. Luckily it was quite early so there wasn't much else about. The EPC and engine warning lights came up on the dashboard. I had a look a few hours later and while the throttle seemed to have come back (I could actually drive it) the warning lights were still on. I took it to a nearby garage who charged me £70 to run a diagnostics on it and then told me they didn't know what was wrong with it so they just cleared the warning lights and I drove away. Does anyone know what the problem could be? I'm worried about it happening when I'm driving to or from work in rush hour. It's a 2004 VW Golf.

[AlBags]

So that has a fly-by-wire pedal to throttle body then.
I would look at the throttle body and check/test the throttle pedal potentiometer (if it does NOT have a manual cable to the throttle)
A VW workshop manual on CDRom may help .. Check eBay.

[mjwman]

Whilst not exactly answering your question, I bought a service code reader which also resets warning lights after my wifes car showed a "problem" £25 off eBay. Works well and a lot cheaper than £70 or the £40 we were charged to diagnose and reset..
Got it for future and to know what it says before we call in the pros so we are not ripped off!

[milly143]

Thanks Al, might get someone who knows a bit about cars to have a look at that for me.

Good idea MJ, I've had warning lights come on for no apparent reason before so it would be good if I could tell what the problem is before paying a garage. I think my car knew I had just been paid!