Two problems... engine shaking and worthless windshield washer

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Oct 14, 2002 | 12:07 PM

My 4 Rings

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Two problems... engine shaking and worthless windshield washer

1)About a week ago I started the car and dropped it in drive. The engine started shaking violently and the malfunction light lit on the dash. My first thought was "Well there goes MY coil". I turn the engine off immediately, then restarted it. It restarted fine and has not done this since?

Any ideas what the hell was wrong?

2) When I use my windshield washer fluid, the fluid only shoots about 8 inches up on the windshield and in a very narrow stream (not a spray). What the hell is that???? Who only wants to wash the bottom 1/4th of the windshield?

Can I somehow get this thing to spray more completely over the windshield?

Oct 14, 2002 | 12:34 PM

vega18t

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had that happen to me once...

The enginge thing was scary....

The washer thing is funny as hell.

Oct 14, 2002 | 12:36 PM

woofpup

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Sounds like an intermittent coil failure? Ick... Yes, the washer nozzles can be adjusted (more)

The nozzles are basically just adjusted using a sharp tool/needle to move them. You just have to be careful that the needle doesn't penetrate too far into the nozzle.

Your dealer should be happy to adjust them during a service visit.

Oct 14, 2002 | 01:06 PM

gellis

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Re: Two problems... engine shaking and worthless windshield washer

1) Sounds like a misfire to me. Happen in my 1998 A4 once. Ran fine afterwards.

3) You can adjust the sprayers. Or just ask the dealer to do it.

Oct 14, 2002 | 01:14 PM

bwilliams

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I used to think my washer nozzles sucked until [more]

I realized that they work very well at high speeds. In contrast to my other cars that worked well when standing an awfully at highway speeds.

I left mine as is from the factory.

Oct 14, 2002 | 01:14 PM

woofpup

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A single misfire wouldn't cause the engine to continue shaking violently until he turned it off...

Oct 14, 2002 | 06:47 PM

gellis

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I am just going on what the service dept...

told me when I took in my 1998 A4. I started it up one morning and it shook like crazy. I shut it off and it seem to go away. When they checked the code it came back as a misfire. So one of the cylinders was not firing. But it was not a bad coil.

It was different from what happened with my 02 A4 when my coil failed twice.