Hey greenline4,

CVT refers to the type of transmission...yours may be a CVT or regular Tiptronic automatic. If you are not sure, check your trans code in the wheel well where all the option codes are located. Or if you would like, private message me with your VIN and we can find out.

PRNDS refers to the gear selection display on your dashboard. Does a red box ever appear around the letters and flash?

 

Hey DrewLocks,

Is your A3 a 2.0T or 3.2?

(1) How are the revs on start up? Do they vary while the car is vibrating? No CEL right? Leaky injectors and wonky fuel sensors are somewhat of a common issue but without a little more information/seeing the car, its hard to make an exact determination.

(2) Shameless plug here but we are running promotions for 55KM/115KM regularly scheduled Audi maintenance. We also go a bit further than the dealer, use only OEM parts, all of our work is warranty-approved and carries a parts+labor guarantee. Assuming you have an A3 2.0T Quattro with CVT, we would do the following: oil change, all filters (fuel/air/charcoal cabin), spark plugs, brake flush, Haldex service, ribbed belt and CVT fluid/filter for 670$. This includes a full visual and VAGCOM scan. If this sounds good, give us a shout!

 

Hi Darlene,

Congrats on the car! Its a fun ride and rare to find an Avant! What colour?

A couple of questions if you don't mind. Do you have the exact code? Do you remember if the code stated Bank 1 or Bank 2? Or was it Bank 1 and Bank 2? If the light came back pretty much right away, its a hard fault. A smoke test can reveal if its a vacuum leak around the intake ...fairly common issue.

Power surge as in the RPMs jump high and the car doesn't move? Could you explain the issue a little more?

VAGCOM has many functions that a generic code doesn't...it especially excels at pinpointing certain issues and running input/output tests. It is a wise investment if you tend to do a lot of DIY.

Now slightly off topic but still relevant to your car. Please keep on top of your oil changes...do not exceed the 5K mark with that motor. The 4.2 V8 in that year S4 is infamous for eating cam chain tensioners and guides. This is a costly repair...we currently have a 2004 S4 with only 100K in the shop for the same job. Doing your oil changes before the recommended interval is your cheapest insurance in avoiding this issue.

If you hear any sort of extended cam chain rattle when cold, accompanied with cam adjuster codes, address the issue immediately...continued driving will bend a valve.

 

sent you guys a pm MotorFabrik, thanks.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. My car is Silver. It was a GTA car so you may even know it! Had to wait for Hubby to get the code for me again. Here it is. P 2098 'Post catalyst fuel trim system too lean Bank 2' From what I have read it could be a leak or a sensor. The car seems to be running smoothly though. As for the surges, it was the same feeling of a cruise control taking over for a second or two and then it cut off. Hard to say how much the car moved it was mostly a wtf moment lol, and gone the next. Hasn't happened since. I'm still learning the controls and haven't even used the cruise yet. Hubby wants to put in more gas line antifreeze at next fill up. He says he had this code once on a Ford pickup and that's what cleared it . Hard to say how long the car may have sat with small amounts of gas in it. I plan on being pro active with the oil changes but is there a way to check the chain tensioners and followers with out major surgery? No rattle on start up that we can hear

 

just purchased a 200 A6 2.8 Quattro A Audi
about a week after the purchase the check engine light came on and it stays on...
changed oil and filters and still on..
seems to be running ok
any advice??

 

Not a problem! We are here to help out however we can. This is where VAGCOM or a really good scan tool can come in handy...live readings from the 02 sensor would help rule out if it is indeed the sensor. There is also the possibility of a cat that's plugged if there has been an extended period of misfires or running rich.

There were no other fuel system codes? Also, the mention of gas line anti-freeze brings up another question...how is the quality of gasoline in your area? Please only use a quality 91 for that motor.

The surge may have been an one-off but if possible, scan the TCM for any codes (assuming its an automatic here).

Finally, unfortunately there is no way to check the condition of the guides and tensioners. Your first sign will be cam adjuster codes and/or the cold chain rattle. That's why early oil changes with a quality 5w-40 syn oil are highly recommended.

 

Hey larryallen,

The first step in diagnosing the issue would be to scan your vehicle to determine the nature of your CEL. After finding out what the CEL is, we can move to the next stage.

 

Hi, I have a 2005 A4 Avant. Auto 1.8T. I've got a random misfire Cylinder 1. Coil packs replaced/plugs changed, MAF cleaned. Still cant get rid of it. Battery is low and I've heard this will sometimes cause the misfire? It will run rough right when starting up but after about 30secs it will calm back down no misfire. However as soon as take it out on road to drive it the misfire returns. Any help would be appreciated . Thanks Jesse

 

Hey 05Audi,

There are a number of causes for a misfire but if you know the battery is bad, it is in the realm of possibility the alternator is not compensating for it. Rule out the charging system with a new battery and an alternator test. Ensure you test the alternator at the source.

Assuming the plugs and coils are good, check the wiring harness for any frays/cracks. The next step would be a smoke test to rule out a vacuum leak. Also, look for a possible leaky injector...the o-rings tend to get brittle. Those are the first couple of steps in diagnosis.

The misfire code on Cyl 1 was the only you got? Was the car scanned using VAGCOM?