PwrDriftr

Guys,

I was driving on the highway and my engine just cut out and I rolled to the side of the highway. What could have happened. I have a 2004 Audi A4 3.0 with 90K's on it. I was a little low on gas (car said 60KM's until empty). Could I have run out of gas? Maybe I have an iginition issue. When I got my car pulled over on the shoulder I tried to restart it. It cranks strong, but it won't start up.

Please... any advice is appreciated. Thankfully it happened very close to home. I'm at home now, but my car is stuck on the side of the highway.

wergert

My 2006 did this all the time....

The Gas Meeter Sucks! and is often wrong....
They replaced my whole instrument cluster....

I say GAS

1move

iTrader: (1)

Gas would be a good place to start. is there any leaks or anything?

wergert

Also...was it after a long drive?

Sometimes the gas meeter dosent read right during long hauls...

PwrDriftr

Hi Guys,

I put $10 gas in my car via big red gas can. It put my car up to the 1/4 tank mark. It still will not start, but it cranks strong. I got the car towed to Mississauga Audi. Maybe it's some kind of ignition or fuel pump problem??

Also, my drive was less than 25KM's before the car died. Before this incident, my car was driving prefectly. No signs of any trouble. This is completely unexpected.

The car showed no leaks. Under the hood everything looks fine. No obvious problems.

Note: I just remembered something. Around 2-3 months ago. When I started my car (after it sat for a few days). It would idle rough with the check engine light on for around 30 seconds. During this time, if I gave it some gas, it would sputter but not rev. After the 30 seconds the check engine light would go off, the idle smoothed out and the car drove properly. This only happened 3-4 times and then the problem went away. Could that have been an early sign of a bigger issue?

thealla

[QUOTE=PwrDriftr;114459]
It cranks strong, but it won't start up.
QUOTE]

im guessing fuel filter and spark plugs may be

Chaos

did any lights pop up like the checkengine or epc?

PwrDriftr

I didn't notice any lights come on, but they may have. I was too busy trying to get my car over to the shoulder as I was quickly losing speed.

wanthema

most likely ur fuel pump died. never leave your tank to reserve, because your fuel pump is working over time just to put some juice into the engine.

Always either have at least 1/4-1/2 fuel left in the tank so that the fuel pump doesnt over work itself.

For example, when your tank is full, first few times you accelerate don't you feel your car kinda spirited? because the fuel pump is working less and pushes the fuel easier into the engine.

Stop leaving the fuel to empty like a cab driver.. this is an audi not a japanese car where you can beat the **** out of it and still run fine.

PwrDriftr

Wanthema hit it right on the nose. I just got call from the dealer...I cooked my fuel pump by letting my tank run too low on a regular basis. It just never occured to me that letting the fuel run below 1/4 tank could be bad for the car. I'll chalk it up as a $700 Audi lesson. I've driven this way for 20 years. Fill up my car and when it's close to empty, I fill it up again. I've owned Benz's BMW's, Saab's and 1 Subaru STI. I've never before blown a fuel pump. Was I just lucky before, or are Audi's more delicate that most cars?