ok to start things off, i just bought my first Audi two days ago...im in love. The car is everything I could ask for and its not even modded (yet) Its a 2001 tt quattro 225. 80k miles on it and i got it for 9500. i expected it to have a few issues here and there, but none above fixing at a halfway affordable price. well anyhow, it seems that my esp light on the gauges pops up every so often...it wont go away till i turn the car off. it seems to be inconsistently triggered, so its making the issue a little tougher to diag. reading through some sites I saw that the MAF may be the culprit, but are there any other potential issues? I plan to clean the MAF this weekend and see if it works out. I know it has a k&N airfilter installed, and im not sure if the dealership had recently reoiled it or not.

also...

every once and a while i notice that ill be driving along with the temperature right where it should be in the middle of the gauge, when all of the sudden it instantly falls to C...if i wait a minute or so, it goes back..but im worried its the start of a larger issue. again this weekend ill be going through every connection that i can readily get to without tearing too much apart to ensure its not a loose connection.

any replys would be greatly appreciated!

 

Change your timing belt NOW (unless you know 100% it has been done) or your problems are about to get WAY more expensive and immediate...

 

My son and I just bought a 2001 Quattro and just about every morning when starting the car the gauges just bounce around.... then they settle or reset and then everythings fine. Only problem is all the trip odometers and clock basically zero out and clock reverts back to 2001. Other than that nice car! 64K miles and price was $10200 with winter mats.

 

well im heading to the local audi dealership around here (team audi) to find out what the damage is..i can handle the goofy temp gauge, but the loss of esp will be pretty annoying during the winter months...as far as the timing belt..i read that audi has extended the warrantee on the timing belt to 105k miles...so i might just have them change it if it needs to be done. im just hoping nothing is wrong with the diff, or anywhere in the haldex system.

 

oh also...a new development...my cruise control has all of the sudden stopped working even when the esp light isnt on.

 

To get the warranty coverage, you need to have the belt inspected and documented at the dealer. When they do, I bet 99% chance they will say your belt is cracking and needs to be replaces (wear item, on your dime). If you don't change it, your water pump or tensioner will seize (that is the real problem) and your engine will be TOAST. Since they documented the belt was cracked (even though belts rarely/ever crack), it will be on you.

You MUST change the timing belt, water pump, and tensioner on these cars every 60k miles (or every 4-5 years, MAX), or you are on borrowed time. Your choice not to head this advice...

This applies to you too, hdgroundpounder...

 

fair enough, i need to go to the dealership to see when the belt was changed last anyways, so either way i will end in the same spot. Thanks for the advice!

 

ok ok hopefully this is the last issue...im getting a funky clicking noise from the rear end of the car when im at a stop idling in neutral. not sure if this is anything i should be concerned about or just something the car does

 

nevermind, im an idiot...its gotta just be the fuel pump

 

In the shop today for A dealer review of the instrument cluster problem and I elected to change out the timing belt, water pump and tensioner. Figure I need a running car and this is a cheap investment since my kids will be driving it.