Check Engine Light

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Oct 30, 2003 | 11:16 PM

Dommi3

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Check Engine Light

Always goes on when I have a full tank of fuel and I'm idling sitting still on an incline. The light will go off by itself after quite a while if I don't get it looked at. Regardless, my friend who has the VAG system and my shop both have told me that VAG reports fault codes indicating something about emmisions related to my gas cap. I did replace my gas cap and it stayed off for quite some time. I noticed the new gas cap clicked as I tightened it when my old one didn't. I thought I had it handled becasue the light stayed off for a good ten days. Unfortunately, it's back on again. I do not smell fuel from anywhere near the back of the car, only near the front on cold starts like most everyone elses.

Does anyone have any suggestions or comments of what it can possibly be? I hate this @#$%ing light haunting me now for three years almost continuously. Every time I think I have it licked, it greets me once again.

Any suggestions or wisdom relating to this would be very much appreciated?

By the way, my oxigen/O2 sensors have less than 5K miles on them. Replacing them turned off the Check engine light for about 3 hours. LOL no kidding. That was well worth several hundred dollars.

dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 A8 Silver/Gray
17" Audi A8 Wheels
Every Available Option
-------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

Oct 31, 2003 | 02:39 AM

JimR

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It's likely the gas gauge sending unit seal.

This is the seal that is the subject of this recent recall notice. Depending on your mileage, the dealer will do it for free.

You can go to audipages.com and find a link to the procedure for replacing it.

Oct 31, 2003 | 06:36 AM

DrMark'sA8

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Re: Check Engine Light

I had the same problem. Dealer replaced the vacuum pump...not fixed, gas cap..not fixed. They eventually found a tiny leak in the O ring at the gas tank (I never smelled gas either). Since replacing the O ring, no CEL (knock on wood) for over a year now. Also, check with your dealer to see if your car falls in the recall...there are some that need a small part to correct the very problem you state.

Best of luck!!!!

Oct 31, 2003 | 12:09 PM

Dommi3

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Re: It's likely the gas gauge sending unit seal.

I have read that post but when going to the dealer they claimed that the little seal cannot be sold separately, only the entire unit can be purchased making the price much higher than explained in the article for obvious reasons. Maybe I can go back to the dealer and ask them about the recall. I'll also talk with a different parts guy, maybe he can find what I'm looking for. I even brought in the part numbers listed on the packaging that is photographed and posted in the audipages repair guide. The parts department had no clue as to what I was talking about.

Either way, thanks for the input, I appreciate it.

dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 A8 Silver/Gray
17" Audi A8 Wheels
Every Available Option
-------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

Oct 31, 2003 | 01:24 PM

JimR

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I'll go look at ETKA in a minute

Oct 31, 2003 | 01:47 PM

JimR

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Part number

verify w/ dealer

4D0 235 198B Repair kit for cover

There's also a

4D0 235 133 C Set of gaskets for fuel tank.

It appears that there is overlap between these two item as far as exact parts included.

There are some individual items on the ETKA pages that don't throw off a part number, aren't available seperately.

I'd ping the dealer again per your comment.

Nov 2, 2003 | 04:24 PM

Dommi3

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Thanks Jim For looking Up That Part Number !

I'm sure this'll help.

Heading into the dealer tomorrow.

dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 A8 Silver/Gray
17" Audi A8 Wheels
Every Available Option
-------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro