Need help with engine problem

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Sep 3, 2001 | 11:35 AM

Mike Metzler

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Need help with engine problem

Background: 1998.5 A4 2.8 30v, qMS. I disconnected the battery before removing the seats (installing harnesses). While disconnecting the battery I decided to check the air filter. Fast forward... after finishing the seats, I reconnected the battery and started the car. It sounded strange, and revved slowly. I drove it ~1 mile on local roads, then returned home. It has NO power (0-30 in 15 seconds?), and when "cruising" at ~15 mph in 2nd gear, it periodically shuts the fuel off. This also happens when I try to hold the revs steady at ~1500. A final "clue", when I depress the accelerator, there is a brief gasping sound, then the revs slowly pick up. The check engine light came on and stays on.

I could not find anything loose that I might have forgotten to reconnect after checking the air cleaner. Any ideas?

Thanks much,

Mike
1998 2.8 qMS, slow as a slug

Sep 3, 2001 | 11:47 AM

Sourdough Josh

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Joined: Jul 2001

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From: Los Angeles, CA

Hmmm. Well...

A couple things.

1. After you reconnected the battery, did you wait a minute or two for the engine to recalibrate? I have heard of people once or twice having severe problems, though I personally have only had minor power drops when forgetting to do this. If you didn't then try disconnecting the power for a minute or so again, and waiting with the key in the "On" position, but the engine off (or is it idle, I forget) for a minute. You should hear a high pitched sound.

2. Try getting a VAG tool connected so you can get the codes from the check engine light! (Those codes can be quite informative sometimes :P )

Good luck, man!

Sep 3, 2001 | 11:54 AM

dpd

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Re: Need help with engine problem

is the airflow meter plugged in?did you reconnect the battery with the key on by accident?almost sounds like the throttle lost its adaption somehow.first check the flow meter connector,may only be half way on.

Sep 3, 2001 | 12:27 PM

Mike Metzler

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Thanks, but still no-go

Thanks for the suggestion. I disconnected the battery again, reconnected after ~5 minutes, turned the ignition on without starting and held it there for 2 minutes (hey, I took you literally!). I never heard the "whine", so I am not certain what that means. In any case, it still misbehaves badly.

Thanks,
Mike

Sep 3, 2001 | 12:30 PM

Mike Metzler

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Thanks for suggestion, but...

Thanks for your suggestion. I did not intentionally disconnect any when I took the air cleaner out, either, but thought it possible I still knocked something loose. So I rechecked and found no loose connections.

Thanks,
Mike

Sep 3, 2001 | 12:49 PM

dpd

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Re: Thanks, but still no-go

somehow it sounds like you lost throttle adaption or the airboot between the airflow meter and the throttle housing is off.if the boot is off you should be able to see it[are you sure it didn't crack when you lifted up the airbox?]but,if that is ok,you need to backtrack somewhat to the beginning of what started this.but if you lost battery power[i.e.disconnecting the battery]to the ecm.you probably have set throttle faults and low b+ faults in the ecm.if this is the fact the car should start and have a hunting idle and other weird throttle problems,only problem is to reset it you need the 1551[vag]

Sep 3, 2001 | 01:07 PM

Mike Metzler

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Re: Thanks, but still no-go

Thanks for the additional suggestions. I will check the boot to be certain it is fully on and not cracked, then will try throttle adaption once again after the car is cold.

The battery certainly was disconnected, but I did not expect that to set ECM faults.

Thanks,
Mike