Yesterday, I had the GIAC chip installed in my 02 A4 1.8T 5-speed. The performance increase is awesome, BUT I have encountered 2 problems so far.

The first is the jerking when I let off the gas in the higher gears(esp. 5th gear). I know people have had problems with this in the past. I went straight back to my GIAC installer, after noticing the problem. He is unsure if he gave me the latest software, but he will get back to me on Monday when he gets the latest software from Garrett since it was a Saturday. Hopefully this isn't really a problem.

The more troubling problem I have found is this: The engine has been cutting off! This started happening today, and I cut off about 5 times already. It mostly occurs when I am at a stoplight and idling. The engine just cuts off. A few times, the light turned green, and tried to step on the gas, only to realize that my engine had cut off. In fact, the engine cut off(all the ABS lights, EPC lights went on as well on the dash) when I was even moving once. The engine cutting off is very troubling(esp. when moving...the hydrailics cut out and was hard to steer). I love the performance, but I cannot afford to sacrifice reliability. The engine is cutting off more than when I was first learning to drive stick!

Questions: Do you think I have an older software? Will these problems go away if I get the latest version of software? Has anyone else experienced the engine cutting off? Anyone have thoughts or opinions? I can't wait until tomorrow when I call my installer for some feedback.

-Concerned A4 owner

FYI... I have a Crystal Blue 1.8T 5-speed with sport package, Bose, heated seats, sunroof, and Xenons.

 

sucks, you probably have a bad soldering job. have him redo the solder and i almost guarantee that will fix it.

 

The jerk when u let go of gass suddenly is because you are still on stock BPV (By pass valve). Go to your dealer and get 710N Valve, its like $35. That will solve the problem. Its because GIAC runs about 16-17 peak psi and the stock BPV isn't suppose to handle much over 12psi. Engine shtting off is NOT normal. I've never heard of this problem with the GIAC software. Did you do throttle alignmen after installation? Are you using 91+ octane gas? Hope your not running octane booster or anything like that...

 

You're right. I have not changed the BPV. Hopefully that will solve the jerking problem. I use 93 octane gas, and I don't think I had any throttle alignment work done. I just brought my car into the shop and they installed the chip. Would they do throttle alignment without me knowing? I don't even know what that is. Rush hour traffic could be interesting for me tomorrow...

 

Just installed GIAC a week ago along with a TurboXS BPV, not a single problem.

 

Hyperboost Diverter Valve. I don't think changing the BPV will make a difference. This is my second round with the GIAC chip. My engine hasn't shut off yet.