sure don't know what would cause the engine computer to break. VW dealer had to spend 3 hours of labor figuring it out. first they thought it was a cam sensor and another sensor but that didn't fix it. then checked wiring. I was lucky it died on a side street and that I have AAA for towing, but who wants to spend 1600 on a 16 year old car? oh and I had to have the head rebuilt 3 years ago, little crack they said.