1988 audi 5000s quattro random no spark issue

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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 10:08 AM
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audiqv8 thanks for the tip on the ignition module. i'll need a few days to check on this and will post an update with photos of the progress!
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by audiqv8
I don't know what you opened (DME) perhaps the TCM (Transmission control module or if you have anti-lock brakes the ABS module), but the ignition module looks like the following link. See RockAuto.com for more info.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=480483
what i opened and inspected was the ECU, which is located under the rear driver side passenger seat. i think the ECU in my car is okay though. it looks similar to this (note this photo is for the turbo model and mine is a non-turbo).
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by RallyCV
I think I meant to say the cam sensor in my post before. The cam sensor is in the distributor, the crank sensor would be on the top of the bellhousing if its there.

Start with the testing laid out here:

http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/troubl...g/nostart.html
RallyCV; it seems this link is specifically for the turbo model, and mine is non-turbo. it does contain some possibly inter-changeable information so i'll go through the list for some more ideas. thanks!
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 01:10 PM
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Since this is a 1988 quattro (stick shift) there is no TCU (transmission control unit). The ECU (engine control unit) for turbo engine is located behind the front passenger kick panel. The unit that located in the back seat is the ABS anti-lock brake system see picture.

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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 01:16 PM
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hah, okay well that clears that up. for the record, my abs appears to be working just fine.

audiqv8; thanks for the clarification!

by the way, where are you getting these diagrams? i have the bentley shop manual and i don't see these diagrams in there.
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 01:18 PM
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oh, also, do you know where the ECU is located? i'm assuming there must be an ECU somewhere since the dash can display engine fault codes for diagnostics.
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by nize
oh, also, do you know where the ECU is located? i'm assuming there must be an ECU somewhere since the dash can display engine fault codes for diagnostics.
Your car don't have an ECU instead it uses an ignition and fuel control module. Your fuel control module is similar to the ECU. It is also located where the turbo engine ECU is located (behind front passenger kick panel). Check to see if there is moisture inside the unit. Moisture inside the ECU (turbo engine) can cause a lot of problems. When the car fail to start was it raining that day or the day before? Did you drive through water that day?
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by audiqv8
Your car don't have an ECU instead it uses an ignition and fuel control module. Your fuel control module is similar to the ECU. It is also located where the turbo engine ECU is located (behind front passenger kick panel). Check to see if there is moisture inside the unit. Moisture inside the ECU (turbo engine) can cause a lot of problems. When the car fail to start was it raining that day or the day before? Did you drive through water that day?
it was not raining that day nor the day before. i did not drive through water. i do live in seattle though, so the relative humidity tends to be high most of the year. i will also make a note to check this area and insure it is dry.

thanks so much for all your tips and ideas.
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Old Mar 12, 2012 | 02:40 PM
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Old Mar 14, 2012 | 10:43 AM
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despite the freak snow and hail storm in seattle yesterday, i braved the weather to investigate this further.

first, i looked for the igniter (ignition control unit) in the area between the engine and the windshield (under the wipers) and could not find it anywhere. i even traced all of the electrical wires to verify where they all terminated.

i did notice what looks like an igniter attached to the actual bracket that holds the coil. i've attached a photo here. can anyone tell me if this is in fact the ignition control unit? note there are only three plugs instead of the six mentioned in the manual.



and a close-up of the connector;

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