So my A3's engine was almost entirely rebuilt (under warranty) last summer after the Crank Sensor failed and broke apart leaving pieces in the crank shaft area which then destroyed the shaft, etc., etc. Miramar Audi in San Diego worked long and hard on it and bungled it a couple times but eventually all was good. So now I'm in LA and driving, "minding my own business" and it just dead dies at a light. Turn the key and the engine spins but no way it's going to catch. So I have it towed to Keyes Audi in Sherman Oaks. I should mention I have APR Stage II software as well as APR high performance fuel pump and performance exhaust (which had nothing to do with last summer). This dealership runs the VagCom and it says a fault with the Crank Sensor. So they physically check it and all is fine. They ask can they flash it with stock (had to 'fess up' about the SW) and I say, OK but what does that have to do with anything? Well, they do it and, guess what, nothing. Now, two days later they have contacted Audi who sent them a SW to DL into my car to maybe "fix" the problem. It makes no sense to me that it's anything to do with SW and nothing with what they said the VagCom told them does either. Spoke with a REAL Audi tech not at the dealer and he suggested right away he'd try the high performance fuel pump sensor or the 'in the tank' fuel pump. Keyes refuses to try either because "their guys are trained by Audi, blah, blah, blah"...so...who do I believe? Why is this so f-ing hard to figure out? It can't be I'm the only A3 owner this ever happened to, is it? Any thoughts? TIA!

 

Oh well...now they say they want to put in a new ECU...wtf? Why do they think it's SW? Fortunately, I had the ECU replaced last August so this part is still covered by that 12 month parts warranty...which Keyes conveniently "couldn't find" in the Audi records...so had the dealership who had done it send me the paperwork..what did they think? They'll get me for a $1300 ECU once but then I'll never trust them again or use them again???...Anyone have similar (or better? worse? experiences with Keyes?)

 

So who was right? the dealer or the tech?
or is not fix yet?

 

I have been reading your ordeal and I feel sorry for you.
however I don't think you are sharing or getting the right information here
tell your service advisor to put in writing exactly what went wrong in your engine so I/we can make any sense of it, the words you using are more confusing than helpful and seems you are very confused already.
thought you mention the engine just been rebuilt by the dealer?, same dealer?
Also as the other dealer was guessing around about the ECM, so does your REAL technician.
they both must be Jr mechanics to suggest things out of their hats without any facts.
first see if there's spark, fuel pressure, timing ok, or just simply check compression to start.
by the time you plug a new ecm you at $1300.00
by the time you install the fuel pumps you at $1500.00
tell them to go fly a kite and find a good mechanic
this issue may be covered under emissions warranty, ask your dealer for all the info.

 

You are partially correct, S4Master. I have been sharing only part of the story because I've only been getting part of it. I now KNOW this has nothing to do with the ECM as I had the car towed to my original dealer (the one who did the major work last summer). Turns out my Cam Chain broke which pretty much f-ed up all the internals. How the first dealership missed it is amazing to me and speaks volumes to their incompetence. As I am out of warranty now, as it stands now, I am on the hook for a major engine rebuild. Not sure what any "emissions" would help me but I am going to Audi and pleading my case that this type of thing should NOT have happened on a car with fewer than $40k miles that has been meticulously maintained at Audi dealers throughout. (All records in their system). If they do the right thing and take care of me, we will be good; if not, I am f-ed and my better option now may be the purchase of a new vehicle. Thanks for your response at least S4! I was beginning to wonder if anyone on AW ever replies anymore.

 

can you tell us why was the engine rebuilt the first time?
the crank sensor story makes no sense
post or e-mail me a copy of the invoice.
for a chain link to break it requires a lot of resistance somewhere in the parts been pull by it, usually lack of lubrication on camshafts or lost of timing sequence can cause resistance and failure of the chain.

 

Do you even remember what you wrote recently?, crank sensor failed and destroyed the shaft????
dealer bungled it a couple of times but eventually got it right?? Big red flag there
you spoke wit a "REAL" Audi tech not at the dealer and suggest fuel pumps.
this are your words not mine.
then you ask for "ANY THOUGHTS?" Well this are my thoughts, you getting a big steamy load of BS from all 3 of them.
what is so wrong about giving my thoughts?
this is a public forum and you not always get to hear what you want to hear.
as I told you to be able to figure this better, get all the facts from your service advisor.
may be it was my mistake to intrude.
are you looking for technical help?, sympathy? or just plain whining about your car?.
either way with recall or not it has to be covered under the emissions warranty 8 years 80k miles.
forgive my intrusion, you on your own

 

Ok...you're the expert. You sound like you need to show what you know and others do not. Sad, really since there is no doubt you know more than I, in general, about Audis technically. I am sorry my story puzzled you so. As you recall from my other posting, I am no longer looking for anything. My dealer has stepped up and, after correctly diagnosing my car's malady, went to bat for me with Audi and it is now bing fixed for me on Audi's dime. What could be better? Especially when the problem this time had nothing to do with the Cam follower extended warranty you mentioned. What would YOU have done differently that would have derived a better outcome for me then all repairs being covered for me?

 

is sad it has come this far for nothing.
is not about knowing more or less, all I ask you was to get all the facts and told you your story made no sense from a mechanic's point of view.
and still doesn't, crank sensor, now it was the cam follower, then chain link missing.
now chain broke, can you at least ask them why it broke? chains don't just break.
cam chain breaking CAN NOT prevent oil pump from pumping and CAN NOT stop pistons from going down.
the story just don't quite sticks, but after all as longest you believe it is fine, hope santa bring you another car.
all I said is credit where credit is due and to me is not due here.
you are the only one using words like idiots toward one dealer. in that case there's 3 not just one, and is beginning to look like increasing.
I hope you did not paid for the ECM as is also covered under emissions.
C'mon engine rebuilt with under 40k?
bungle it up twice? apprentices working on your engine
now engine fails again? as you stated "WTF". and you think they are doing you a favor?
you really want the same dealer working on your car "AGAIN"?
chew it up any way you want. and yes am known for been arrogant and criticized for speaking as if in a pedestal. My credentials allow me to do so.
you need technical help come and see me, you want to whine and curse don't forget this is a public forum.
let's keep this off the public

 

"let's keep this off the public"? that's you being ironic, right?...