We drove home today in a blowing snowstorm and as soon as we got home and put the car in park, the car started shaking, then died. This was also accompanied by a burnt electronics smell that was coming from the engine bay. Since it is 14 degrees and blowing 30 mph, I have not been able to track the smell down.I did not see any check engine light before it happened. Now it turns over fine and has fuel, but I can't seem to find any spark.

Is there some way something got wet from the snow or what? It was acting fine the whole drive, then just shuddered and died when it got home.

Also, do you guys see much soot around your tailpipes? I was a little surprised at the amount of soot I am seeing around the tailpipe considering it is a gasser.

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

 

don't you have a warranty?

 

Chances are my warranty won't get my wife to work tomorrow, and no one is going to come and tow it toa dealership an hour away on New Year's Dayin a snowstorm.

Thought if it was something simple we could get it mobile again.

 

I have the same problem with my 2007 A4 2.0. When it is cold and it snows it runs like the choke is stuck and black smoke comes out the pipes and it just gallops and Merry Christmas the Check engine light goes on. It has been to the stealer twice and they just say it had a misfire and it comes back. I have written not so nice letters to AOA and no reply. I not a happy person and the Audi is going down the road! I am looking at a BMW X5 or a Volvo XC90. It is a pos that they do not have a fix for. Let me know if you find somthing out different. Thanks

 

Wow, I have not had that choke/shaking problem at all.Even here in NE when it was 12 degrees yesterday morning. I have noticed considerable soot around the pipes though. Brake dust is off the charts too. But this is normal for Audi's.

 

Try calling Audi of America... don't send a letter (that is outdated). 1-800-822-2834. They are VERY nice people. Just press option 6 (I think) to get a customer advocate on the line and express your concerns. Your car should not be misfiring and the dealer should fully diagnose the problem and find a solution.

 

The "soot" you are seeing on cold days is from the engine running richer than normal due to the climate. The air is dense and very humid and thus the engine characteristics are different.

Even in cold weather, as long as it is above zero outside you should be able to drive just fine. You may have water or condensate in your intake track or may have ice accumulating on a moving component that is casuing failures.