2001 Audi A6 Check Engine Light
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2001 Audi A6 Check Engine Light
Hi, I recently got a 2001 Audi A6 with 95000 miles about a month ago. Yesterday as I was driving the engine starting sputtering pretty bad and I was getting very poor acceleration along with a sulfurous smell. I drove the car again later that day to AAA to set up a time to bring it in, and everything was fine, problems gone. Today I drove it again to class, on the way there, again everything was fine. Then driving home from class just before I got back the problem started happening again. This time a check engine light came on with a lightning bolt on it.
Any idea what this problem is?
Any idea what this problem is?
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,277
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From: Toronto
Two way
1. Buy a USB cable and get VAG-COM software to connect to your car and read fault codes.
2. Visit Audi dealer or a qualified Audi independent shop, and ask them to scan the car for error codes.
Then you will know what's wrong, or at least in which direction to go.
Until then, it's impossible to tell what's wrong. Could be fuel pump, could be spark plugs, could be coolant temp sensor, could be any X number of things.
2. Visit Audi dealer or a qualified Audi independent shop, and ask them to scan the car for error codes.
Then you will know what's wrong, or at least in which direction to go.
Until then, it's impossible to tell what's wrong. Could be fuel pump, could be spark plugs, could be coolant temp sensor, could be any X number of things.
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Okay, so I went ahead and brought it to AAA who checked the codes and said they were getting misfires from two spark plugs. They found that the valve cover gasket was leaking oil into the spark plugs causing the misfires. They replaced the gasket and spark plugs and also found some PCV tubing that needed to be replaced. Got all the work done and got the car back. They next day as I was driving the same problem popped up, but only for about 30 sec to a minute, during which the CEL was blinking. The rest of that day it seemed fine and I did a little driving the day after with no issues either, but since I have some spare time right now I'm trying to get everything taken care of.
I did some research online and thought it might be a bad catalytic converter so I brought it to a muffler shop that had gotten good reviews. I asked them about it and the guy said a rotten egg smell wasn't the converter, but probably a problem with the fuel system. He checked for codes but found nothing. So I have a lot of different people online saying the rotten egg smell is a big sign of a catalytic converter problem, and this guy saying no way its the catalytic converter.
Any ideas?
I did some research online and thought it might be a bad catalytic converter so I brought it to a muffler shop that had gotten good reviews. I asked them about it and the guy said a rotten egg smell wasn't the converter, but probably a problem with the fuel system. He checked for codes but found nothing. So I have a lot of different people online saying the rotten egg smell is a big sign of a catalytic converter problem, and this guy saying no way its the catalytic converter.
Any ideas?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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What kind of plugs were used? Were the wires tested? When was the coolant temp sensor last changed?
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Check Engine Light
I just purchased a used 2001 A6 2.7T. Took it into an Audi shop to get the rear brakes replaced and the mechanic/owner told me that the check engine light had been disconnected and the codes he was pulling from the computer showed the torque converter needed replacing and went on to tell me it needed about $4500 worth of repairs done. Never used this guy before, I am pretty sure he was not shooting straight with me because his story kept changing, however, can anyone tell me how/where to look at the cluster for this supposed disconnected check engine light?
Heading to the dealer for verification, but just wondering if I can do a quick check to see if this guy was pulling my leg.
Thanks!
Heading to the dealer for verification, but just wondering if I can do a quick check to see if this guy was pulling my leg.
Thanks!
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Toronto
I just purchased a used 2001 A6 2.7T. Took it into an Audi shop to get the rear brakes replaced and the mechanic/owner told me that the check engine light had been disconnected and the codes he was pulling from the computer showed the torque converter needed replacing and went on to tell me it needed about $4500 worth of repairs done. Never used this guy before, I am pretty sure he was not shooting straight with me because his story kept changing, however, can anyone tell me how/where to look at the cluster for this supposed disconnected check engine light?
Heading to the dealer for verification, but just wondering if I can do a quick check to see if this guy was pulling my leg.
Thanks!
Heading to the dealer for verification, but just wondering if I can do a quick check to see if this guy was pulling my leg.
Thanks!
With the car off, turn the ignition ON (but not to Start position). See if the check engine light works. If it doesn't, then it's been "disconnected", though disconnected actually means the light is plugged with some resin or taped over with electrical tape.
If you don't see the CEL, you have to remove the cluster, disassemble it, and remove whatever's blocking the CEL.
This is a common way by sleazy dealers/owners to sell their Audi full of issues.
And yes, if the torque converter is caput, you'll need to replace it. It's about 16 hours of labor, plus $700 for the part.
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