help with a '91 200TQ
 

Hi,

I'm having a slight problem with my 91 200TQ and wanted to find out if
anyone else has experienced it, or know what I should look at next. Very
sporadically, the car is giving me a stutter while I'm driving. It doesn't
happen consistantly, so I can't duplicate it on demand. It will happen in
every gear, with the lower gears being much more pronounced that the higher,
and it will happen when I'm accelerating, or cruising. I can't think of
anyway to effectively explain it, so the best I can do is give similarities.
It's sort of like when your arm and foot aren't quite in sync and you shift
poorly; it's kind of like when you're in too high of a gear for the speed
you're going; it's kind of like the engine misses a few beats while you're
driving along. From what I have been able to figure out, it seems to happen
in the low to mid 2000rpm range. With the exception of when it does it when
I'm starting to go, my foot is off the clutch (when I'm starting to go and
it does it, the stutter is pretty big, just like a new-to-a-standard-tranny
driver {I've been driving standards for over 15 years btw}).

Now for what has all ready been tried. The fuel pump is around 1 1/2 years
old, the fuel filter is around 2 months old, the timing belt was changed a
couple weeks ago, and it was tuned up last week. It has been doing this
very sporadically for quite some time now, probably around a year. We had a
rainy spell a few weeks ago in New Hampshire, and it seemed to be happening
a lot more often then. The next thing I'm going to try is a fuel system
cleaner, thinking it may be the injectors.

Any other thoughts of what could be causing this? Any ideas of what to try
if the fuel cleaner doesn't work?

TIA and Enjoy
Bill

Re: help with a '91 200TQ
 

My first thought was fuel filter but you changed it 2 months ago. The
symptoms sound just like fuel filter problems in two of my type 44s. New
fuel pump like mine a month ago (pierburg). It could also be the
infamouse flaking lining that the type 44s experience but the coating
was corrected in 89 or 90. Hmmm.

- Bad check valve in the fuel line?

- Heat soaked speed sensor or crank position sensor on the bell housing?

- I don't think that the TQs have a hall effect module in the
distributor ...

- Fuel pump relay intermittent open?

- Corroded connector to the ICU in the drivers side kick panel?

- Bad ignition switch?

- Bad plud wires?

Tough one.

Tony
'91 100Q 5spd NA NF
bill wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm having a slight problem with my 91 200TQ and wanted to find out if
> anyone else has experienced it, or know what I should look at next. Very
> sporadically, the car is giving me a stutter while I'm driving. It doesn't
> happen consistantly, so I can't duplicate it on demand. It will happen in
> every gear, with the lower gears being much more pronounced that the higher,
> and it will happen when I'm accelerating, or cruising. I can't think of
> anyway to effectively explain it, so the best I can do is give similarities.
> It's sort of like when your arm and foot aren't quite in sync and you shift
> poorly; it's kind of like when you're in too high of a gear for the speed
> you're going; it's kind of like the engine misses a few beats while you're
> driving along. From what I have been able to figure out, it seems to happen
> in the low to mid 2000rpm range. With the exception of when it does it when
> I'm starting to go, my foot is off the clutch (when I'm starting to go and
> it does it, the stutter is pretty big, just like a new-to-a-standard-tranny
> driver {I've been driving standards for over 15 years btw}).
>
> Now for what has all ready been tried. The fuel pump is around 1 1/2 years
> old, the fuel filter is around 2 months old, the timing belt was changed a
> couple weeks ago, and it was tuned up last week. It has been doing this
> very sporadically for quite some time now, probably around a year. We had a
> rainy spell a few weeks ago in New Hampshire, and it seemed to be happening
> a lot more often then. The next thing I'm going to try is a fuel system
> cleaner, thinking it may be the injectors.
>
> Any other thoughts of what could be causing this? Any ideas of what to try
> if the fuel cleaner doesn't work?
>
> TIA and Enjoy
> Bill
>
>

Re: help with a '91 200TQ
 

Could be early signs of fuel pump failure. If everything else checks out,
might be time for a new pump. Be sure it is not the fuel pump relay first,
though.

Is the fuel pump particularly noisy when the problem occurs?

--
Stephen Clark
89 Audi 100
99 Lexus RX300
Houston, Texas USA

See my Audi in the Registry at www.audiworld.com!


"Tony Johnson" <tonyj@NOSPAMvisi.com> wrote in message
news:3f4c1a7b$0$173$a1866201@newsreader.visi.com.. .
> My first thought was fuel filter but you changed it 2 months ago. The
> symptoms sound just like fuel filter problems in two of my type 44s. New
> fuel pump like mine a month ago (pierburg). It could also be the
> infamouse flaking lining that the type 44s experience but the coating
> was corrected in 89 or 90. Hmmm.
>
> - Bad check valve in the fuel line?
>
> - Heat soaked speed sensor or crank position sensor on the bell housing?
>
> - I don't think that the TQs have a hall effect module in the
> distributor ...
>
> - Fuel pump relay intermittent open?
>
> - Corroded connector to the ICU in the drivers side kick panel?
>
> - Bad ignition switch?
>
> - Bad plud wires?
>
> Tough one.
>
> Tony
> '91 100Q 5spd NA NF
> bill wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I'm having a slight problem with my 91 200TQ and wanted to find out if
> > anyone else has experienced it, or know what I should look at next.
Very
> > sporadically, the car is giving me a stutter while I'm driving. It
doesn't
> > happen consistantly, so I can't duplicate it on demand. It will happen
in
> > every gear, with the lower gears being much more pronounced that the
higher,
> > and it will happen when I'm accelerating, or cruising. I can't think of
> > anyway to effectively explain it, so the best I can do is give
similarities.
> > It's sort of like when your arm and foot aren't quite in sync and you
shift
> > poorly; it's kind of like when you're in too high of a gear for the
speed
> > you're going; it's kind of like the engine misses a few beats while
you're
> > driving along. From what I have been able to figure out, it seems to
happen
> > in the low to mid 2000rpm range. With the exception of when it does it
when
> > I'm starting to go, my foot is off the clutch (when I'm starting to go
and
> > it does it, the stutter is pretty big, just like a
new-to-a-standard-tranny
> > driver {I've been driving standards for over 15 years btw}).
> >
> > Now for what has all ready been tried. The fuel pump is around 1 1/2
years
> > old, the fuel filter is around 2 months old, the timing belt was changed
a
> > couple weeks ago, and it was tuned up last week. It has been doing this
> > very sporadically for quite some time now, probably around a year. We
had a
> > rainy spell a few weeks ago in New Hampshire, and it seemed to be
happening
> > a lot more often then. The next thing I'm going to try is a fuel system
> > cleaner, thinking it may be the injectors.
> >
> > Any other thoughts of what could be causing this? Any ideas of what to
try
> > if the fuel cleaner doesn't work?
> >
> > TIA and Enjoy
> > Bill
> >
> >
>

Re: help with a '91 200TQ
 

Bill,
Tony is referring to the fuel tank lining (for corrosion protection) in the
earlier audis that often came off in pieces and starved the fuel pump (which
would lead to a burnt out fp). When the pump was replaced, you would see
the culprits in the bottom of the tank, and encrusted on the fuel pump
screen (pre-filter) - the oft-repeated suggestion was to clean out what you
could (heh heh, don't use a Shop Vac.....), and then remove the pre-filter
screen and let the big underhood filter look after the remaining grunge.
When this hesitation happens, have you tried pulling over and reading the
engine fault codes from the computer (actually, the computer's memory in
your car does not erase, so you could check it now)? Check out how to do
this with the related section in Scott Mockry's web site:
http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/20vtecu.htm - he has lots of trouble shooting
info there. As Tony and Stephen mentioned, the fuel pump relay is also a
common culprit - often repaired by simply disassembling and resoldering (ie,
remelting the solder) the spade connector connections.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ
1980 Audi 5k
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)

"bill" <jm1113@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:jV03b.111700$2x.31563@rwcrnsc52.ops.asp.att.n et...
> Thank you all that have replied to the group, or emailed me directly.
>
> I'm really taxing my memory here, but I think the first time I noticed it
> was around the same time I got the new fuel pump. So that makes me wonder
> if I got a bad fuel pump, and since it's so sporadic, never realized it.
Is
> there a way to check the pump to see if it's ok? Also, got some
suggestions
> about the fuel accumulator, checking the spark plug wires (which weren't
> changed during the tune up, if these are bad, does anyone know where I can
> get them for less than $400 for the set of 5?), checking vacuum lines, and
> ignition lines. I'll show off my lack of knowledge here, are spark plug
> wires and ignition wires the same thing? This is my baby, if I did
anything
> to hurt her, I would never forgive myself, so I usually take it to a
> specialist for repairs. But, I'm slowly building my knowledge by working
on
> my truck, so I'd like to start doing some of my own work on the Audi.
>
> Specifically to Tony, what is the "infamouse flaking lining that the type
> 44s experience".
>
> Thanks again
> Bill
> "Stephen Clark" <nospam> wrote in message news:3f4c35b0$2@shknews01...
> > Could be early signs of fuel pump failure. If everything else checks
out,
> > might be time for a new pump. Be sure it is not the fuel pump relay
first,
> > though.
> >
> > Is the fuel pump particularly noisy when the problem occurs?
> >
> > --
> > Stephen Clark
> > 89 Audi 100
> > 99 Lexus RX300
> > Houston, Texas USA
> >
> > See my Audi in the Registry at www.audiworld.com!
> >
> >
> > "Tony Johnson" <tonyj@NOSPAMvisi.com> wrote in message
> > news:3f4c1a7b$0$173$a1866201@newsreader.visi.com.. .
> > > My first thought was fuel filter but you changed it 2 months ago. The
> > > symptoms sound just like fuel filter problems in two of my type 44s.
New
> > > fuel pump like mine a month ago (pierburg). It could also be the
> > > infamouse flaking lining that the type 44s experience but the coating
> > > was corrected in 89 or 90. Hmmm.
> > >
> > > - Bad check valve in the fuel line?
> > >
> > > - Heat soaked speed sensor or crank position sensor on the bell
housing?
> > >
> > > - I don't think that the TQs have a hall effect module in the
> > > distributor ...
> > >
> > > - Fuel pump relay intermittent open?
> > >
> > > - Corroded connector to the ICU in the drivers side kick panel?
> > >
> > > - Bad ignition switch?
> > >
> > > - Bad plud wires?
> > >
> > > Tough one.
> > >
> > > Tony
> > > '91 100Q 5spd NA NF
> > > bill wrote:
> > > > Hi,
> > > >
> > > > I'm having a slight problem with my 91 200TQ and wanted to find out
if
> > > > anyone else has experienced it, or know what I should look at next.
> > Very
> > > > sporadically, the car is giving me a stutter while I'm driving. It
> > doesn't
> > > > happen consistantly, so I can't duplicate it on demand. It will
> happen
> > in
> > > > every gear, with the lower gears being much more pronounced that the
> > higher,
> > > > and it will happen when I'm accelerating, or cruising. I can't
think
> of
> > > > anyway to effectively explain it, so the best I can do is give
> > similarities.
> > > > It's sort of like when your arm and foot aren't quite in sync and
you
> > shift
> > > > poorly; it's kind of like when you're in too high of a gear for the
> > speed
> > > > you're going; it's kind of like the engine misses a few beats while
> > you're
> > > > driving along. From what I have been able to figure out, it seems
to
> > happen
> > > > in the low to mid 2000rpm range. With the exception of when it does
> it
> > when
> > > > I'm starting to go, my foot is off the clutch (when I'm starting to
go
> > and
> > > > it does it, the stutter is pretty big, just like a
> > new-to-a-standard-tranny
> > > > driver {I've been driving standards for over 15 years btw}).
> > > >
> > > > Now for what has all ready been tried. The fuel pump is around 1
1/2
> > years
> > > > old, the fuel filter is around 2 months old, the timing belt was
> changed
> > a
> > > > couple weeks ago, and it was tuned up last week. It has been doing
> this
> > > > very sporadically for quite some time now, probably around a year.
We
> > had a
> > > > rainy spell a few weeks ago in New Hampshire, and it seemed to be
> > happening
> > > > a lot more often then. The next thing I'm going to try is a fuel
> system
> > > > cleaner, thinking it may be the injectors.
> > > >
> > > > Any other thoughts of what could be causing this? Any ideas of what
> to
> > try
> > > > if the fuel cleaner doesn't work?
> > > >
> > > > TIA and Enjoy
> > > > Bill
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Re: help with a '91 200TQ
 

> if I got a bad fuel pump, and since it's so sporadic, never realized it. Is
> there a way to check the pump to see if it's ok?

A shop can use a fuel pressure gage to check it but the problem sounds
more intermittent - like a loose connection (if the pump has to do with
the problem)

> checking the spark plug wires (which weren't
> changed during the tune up, if these are bad, does anyone know where I can
> get them for less than $400 for the set of 5?),

I got a good set from Autozone for $70.

> ignition lines. I'll show off my lack of knowledge here, are spark plug
> wires and ignition wires the same thing?

Plug wires are part of the ignition wires but others may also been
referring to other wires like wires going to the coil and back to
systems that operate the ignition. If you suspect this a shop is your
best choice for diagnostics.

> to hurt her, I would never forgive myself, so I usually take it to a
> specialist for repairs. But, I'm slowly building my knowledge by working on
> my truck, so I'd like to start doing some of my own work on the Audi.

Audis are friendly to work on once you get on a talking basis with them : )

> Specifically to Tony, what is the "infamous flaking lining that the type
> 44s experience".

I am quite sure the yours is not affected. b4 '89 or may be '90 the gas
tanks were lined with a plastic coating that deteriorated over time. It
broke into small pieces and clogged the intake screen of the fuel pump.
Sometimes clogged sometimes not - very intermittent. Fix was to open
tank and clean and try to re coat. Again, I don't think this affects you
because the later models did not have the coating or the problem. One
symptom used to ID the problem was to remove and pour out the Fuel
Filter. If a bunch of black crud came out - you had the problem.

Good luck. It is just some small thing and it can be found.

Tony
'91 100Q 5spd

Re: help with a '91 200TQ
 

No required wire size - low voltage / current.

Tony

> codes will show up. I don't have the VAG tool, so I'll be using an LCD
> light and a jumper wire (and specific guage wire I should use?). After

help with a '91 200TQ
 

To: "bill" <jm1113@hotmail.com>
Re: help with a '91 200TQ
By: "bill" <jm1113@hotmail.com> to alt.autos.audi on Tue Aug 26 2003 08:53 pm

> very sporadically for quite some time now, probably around a year. We had a
> rainy spell a few weeks ago in New Hampshire, and it seemed to be happening
> a lot more often then. The next thing I'm going to try is a fuel system

Try filling a plastic spray bottle with a salt water solution. Then spray it on
your spark plug wires, coil, and distributor cap. With the engine running of
course and see if the ignition system is shorting out due to secondary ignition
leakage.


--- Synchronet 3.10L-Win32 NewsLink 1.43
* Friends of Bill W - Raytown,MO - telnet://friendsofbillw.dyndns.org

Re: help with a '91 200TQ
 

Would using salt water do something different than just using water? I did
spray the plug wires, didn't spray the distributor cap though. It didn't
make a difference.

Thank you
Bill
"Kcvwdoc" <kcvwdoc@friendsofbillw.dyndns.org.remove-u03-this> wrote in
message news:3F5030EC.952.altaudi@friendsofbillw.dyndns.or g...
> To: "bill" <jm1113@hotmail.com>
> Re: help with a '91 200TQ
> By: "bill" <jm1113@hotmail.com> to alt.autos.audi on Tue Aug 26 2003
08:53 pm
>
> > very sporadically for quite some time now, probably around a year. We
had a
> > rainy spell a few weeks ago in New Hampshire, and it seemed to be
happening
> > a lot more often then. The next thing I'm going to try is a fuel
system
>
> Try filling a plastic spray bottle with a salt water solution. Then spray
it on
> your spark plug wires, coil, and distributor cap. With the engine running
of
> course and see if the ignition system is shorting out due to secondary
ignition
> leakage.
>
>
> --- Synchronet 3.10L-Win32 NewsLink 1.43
> * Friends of Bill W - Raytown,MO - telnet://friendsofbillw.dyndns.org

Re: help with a '91 200TQ
 

In humid night just look under the bonnet with engine running for blueish
glow. If you see it it indicates surface currents on the ignition cables.
Most likely too wide spark plug gap.
Replace with original (avoid fancy platinum plugs).
"Kcvwdoc" <kcvwdoc@friendsofbillw.dyndns.org.remove-rei-this> wrote in
message news:3F50AD5C.962.altaudi@friendsofbillw.dyndns.or g...
> To: "bill" <jm1113@hotmail.com>
> Re: Re: help with a '91 200TQ
> By: "bill" <jm1113@hotmail.com> to alt.autos.audi on Sat Aug 30 2003
11:32 am
>
> > Would using salt water do something different than just using water? I
did
> > spray the plug wires, didn't spray the distributor cap though. It
didn't
> > make a difference.
> Not always. But, The salt water solution is more conductive. And in some
cases
> will reveal leakage that tap water misses.
>
>
> --- Synchronet 3.10L-Win32 NewsLink 1.43
> * Friends of Bill W - Raytown,MO - telnet://friendsofbillw.dyndns.org