Xposted from the audifans UrQ list, but with pictures here.

Last weekend at the Dayton Concours D'Elegance <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/56040/dscn1372.jpg"> <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/56040/dscn1377.jpg">, a man in a mint '63 Beetle approached me and my Mars '83. He told me that along with the Beetle that he was selling for a woman whose husband had died a couple of years ago, she had a car just like mine for sale. He had pictures, and sure enough, it's also a Mars '83, but this one has 42k miles. DA900480, 27 after mine!

I went to check it out last night and tell him what I thought of it, and it's near immaculate. Mostly original near perfect Mars paint, although the hood has been repainted, and under the spoiler on the drivers side, the paint looks like it's chipping/flaking off. All factory pinstriping, decals, and fading rings are present and in great shape. He's got a stack of maintenance records that includes a new complete driveshaft and new spoiler in the last 100 miles. The interior is chocolate leather and looks brand new. Euro Audi 80 single bulb flat grille lights, not relayed, really dim. And the list goes on. Stock fog light switch running what appear to be aftermarket fogs mounted below the bumper. Early 83 suspension with the rear swaybar, and, a two position diff lock switch. Working AC even.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/56040/dscn1392.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/56040/dscn1394.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/56040/dscn1407.jpg">

The bad is that it does have some electrical gremlins, the fuel gauge doesn't work, and the tach drops out with the turn signals on and the headlights on. The dash lights would drop out intermittently as well. While we were out driving, if we signaled to turn and John pressed in the clutch to downshift, the car would die. I assume that this is a fusebox issue or connector issue as most of these are on the same circuit and I've had the same problem on my car at one point. Also, the car has been sitting at least the last two years, and it was driven less than 1000 miles in the last 10 years. The fuel pump was replaced in 1992, and again in 2002, so things may be varnished up inside.

I don't need another car, he may have a buyer in PA already, but I do have a few questions.

When I went to look at the car, the battery was dead. We started the car with a big battery charger, and it ran great for a while and would then struggle to idle and die unless John were to artificially raise the idle with the accelerator. The car would then start again fine, run fine for a while and then die. I decided to check the frequency valve duty cycle, and when the car attempts to go closed loop, it just dies. Crank the car, 80%, car starts, 95% dropping, dropping, then when it goes to cycle around 50%, the car dies. I tested the WOT switch with the idle switch closed, 50%. WOT switch closed, idle switch open, 77%. And sometimes the car would smooth out and idle great, but the duty cycle was stuck at 95% again. Then, the car would lose idle again when the duty cycle would drop from 95%. It would go to around 55% and die. If he'd catch the car and rev it, the duty cycle would go up and cycle with rpm. I haven't tested the O2 sensor yet, or any other sensors, as it was getting dark last night when I looked at it. Any suggestions on what else to check to get it to run correctly?

Also, something I hadn't seen on an UrQ before, the outer door handles had plastic protectors behind the handle against the body, kind of like the cups inside the inner door handles that are there to cover the screw head holding the door handle on. Were these stock? I've never seen them before. I'll post some pictures soon.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/56040/dscn1403.jpg">

If it were a late 83 with the late fusebox, or if it were helios, I'd probably have mine for sale and would be buying this one. But, this one is pretty well 100% stock, and low mileage. I won't feel as bad swapping my 3b into my 83.

I want to help the seller get the car running correctly before he sells it, which he may have already done.

Input, questions?

Nathan Engelbert
83 UrQ DA900453
89 90q
91 200q20v donor
91 200q20v avant

 

Is the hose I sent you satisfactory/received?

 

Yes, thanks.

 

Price?

 

ygm

 

Thanks

 

For 8k to someone from PA. The current owner is going to try to get it running correctly before the new owner takes posession.