New future a8 owner
 

Hello, I am looking at a 97/98 Audi A8 4.2 quattro. I am getting a really good deal on it and I am going to need help getting it back on the road.

The good - Recently Rebuilt transmission, Good interior, minor cosmetic issues.

the bad - car has been an attempted theft vehicle, and the ignition collumn is busted, Unknown if the ecu is fried or the immobilizer has been tripped. Minor cosmetic issues. car has sat for 2 years.

ANY insight someone can give me on this kind of situation would be appreciated. Experience with resetting the immobilizer would also be appreciated. I am new to audi's but a long time gear head. I will be doing all the work myself.

Possibly a broken transponder coil reader (around the ignition lock). I doubt the ECU would be bust. They're quite robust, the main killer is water ingress.

That's where I'd start looking. Pull some codes, post results here and we'll see where we go from there.

Thanks for the info! I will look into that once the car is in my garage. Does anyone know a way to pull codes on the car without a scanner?

There is no way to pull codes, other than via the OBD port, with a suitable code reader / diagnostic tool.

well that answers that question, Do you know where I can purchase an inexpensive obd reader?

Basic home code readers are cheap and plentiful:

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_...reader&_sacat=

But this type generally only read codes that turn on a check engine light (some engine management problems, anti-pollution problems and some trans codes)...don't read other modules or in depth readings like more expensive Vagcom programs and cables:

http://www.ross-tech.com/

Make sure that check engine light comes on when ignition switch is on, before starting car (normal as pre-start light test). In pre-2000 A8's, the check engine light is a regular bulb that can burn out or be disabled by a sneaky seller.

thanks for all the help! it seems I am gonna have to purchase the reader from Ross tech to get the full nine yards.

OK all got the car back home, swapped out the battery, cleaned up the ecu's, and tried to get the car to crank. Well the odd thing is, I have both spark and fuel delivery, yet I am getting No fire.... The fuel in it has stabil in it, but could the fuel be so old even with stabil that it wont fire?

That's odd. How are you checking spark and fuel? ...actually pulling injectors to insure they are opening?

If both are working, makes you wonder if they are working in proper timing.

Have you thought about the old fashioned test of spraying starter fluid in the intake while attempting start?

well call me an idiot, apparently Bad fuel is a bastard, Got it to idle now just gotta put some good fuel in it and remove the old fuel, anyone know of a drain plug for the fuel tank? otherwise I gotta think of a good way to get all the old fuel out.