Lack of power especially going uphill often accompanied by a 'flat spot' (hesitancy or shuddering) when accelearting - on my car around 2,500 rpm - usually means failure of the air flow meter sensor. This fits into the the large air intake pipe adjacent to the air filter box (it has a cable and plug attached to it) They are expensive around £150 inc VAT (the sensor unit is platinum) but take only a few minutes to fit, couple of spring clips on the air pipe to undo is all so a good DIY job - same symptons on my '99 Sharan were majically cleared by fitting the new sensor !
Mike Johnson, June 2005
