I know nowt about the D40 TBH but use the search engine top right & look up 'limp mode'

Hope you can get it sorted.

 

Cheers spirit..

problem over,,PHEW. just read a few old posts, went out pulled a lead off that connects to the start of the air pipe, drove it half a mile still awful, pulled over and reconnected it and bingo back to her old self..

Just one question tho, what was the lead i disconnected called and should i get a new thingy its connecting to???

Great site, id have paid through the nose for that i was so worried.

 

mass air flow meter, dont think thats whats causing your problem, sounds to me like the scv is gone, suction control valve, youll need to read the fault codes to find out why its going into limp mode.

 

MAF's do cause bad/rough running. However only seen em packing up on VAG stuff!

 

If the air filter was knackered enough to let **** through the air flow meter could well be covered in said ****. If you search you will find some threads explaining how to clean it. This probably will not cure the main problem but it can only help.

 

Get yourself some electronic contact cleaner spray (halfords)
With ignition off remove the multiplug again, use spanner to remove the bolts and carefully withdraw the maf sensor. Spray the **** out of it, be carefull ya don't break the metal (tiny) wires inside.
Leave it (15 mins)till its bone dry, reinstall and see how ya go from there.