Hey Guys,

Well I have owned my 1999 Audi A4 1.8Tq for about 1 year now and I have never had any problems until now!!

Problem: Yesterday I got in my car and turned the key and she turned on, sputtered then died. My radio and all other internal stuff came on but the engine was off. I turned the key back to off position then waited a few seconds then turned it back on and she came on fine. It was a real hot day and I don’t know if that had something to do with it. Now when I turn on the car she comes on then sounds like it is about to die but stays on. Once I get on the road she drives fine. Ummm, I can’t think of any other details but if anyone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it! If you guys have any questions about the situation or want me to try something just let me know. I will be checking the posting 3-4 times a day as I work in front of a computer......

UPDATE: I just went out and turned her on again. She revs up to about 1200 RPM them fluctuates between 700rpm-1200rpm finally settling around 800rpm-900rpm. A friend of mine said that it sounds like a rough idle. The car hasn’t died again since that first time but she consistently does the fluctuating idle rpm thing. Let me know what you guys think!

Thanks Guys.

Lance

 

could be a idle speed contol motor going bad, i just replaced one on mine? any check engine light on?

 

My car will do that on rare occasions (twice this year). The last time it happened I know I was very low on gas. Other posts here have mentioned there is a hump in the gas tank and there is a pump that will pull gas from one side to the other (where the fuel pump pulls from). My symptoms are the car will seem like it's going to start, but then it sputters out. Takes a few solid cranks before it starts.

I'm wondering if there is just enough gas in the line to get it started briefly, but then because I was so low on fuel, the pump in the gas tank needs some time to kick fuel over to the side where the fuel pump is pulling gas from. This is a total guess and I'm no mechanic, but I'm going to pay attention to next time it happens and I'll try to gather more data.

1. Is my fuel low when it happens?
2. Can I hear the pump in the gas tank kick on?

If anyone else has suggestions on what it could be or what I should pay attention to when it happens, let me know.

 

I've seen a few posts similiar to yours, here on teh forums, and in AW, too. First thing everybody recommends you chech seems to be teh mass air-flow sensor (MAF). Does it need cleaning? Does it leak? Stuf like that. DO a search on the forums and see what other troubleshooting suggestions you can find...

 

If the MAF sensor is giving a false reading this will usally show in loss of power while driving, an easy way to test this somtimes is to disconect the MAF plug (mounted next to the air filter box) If you feel a gain in power when you drive while disconect this is your problem.
The MAF dosen't usualy cause bad starting and fluctation though this is usally caused by the throttle body because it has become guncd up. The way to solve this is to remove the throttle body and clean it with carb cleaner, then when refitted run basic settings on the steper motor in the throlle body. If it is gunced up will benifit from a clean even if you don't have the diagnositcs to run basic settings

 

You might want to disconnect the battery for a 1/2 hour. Make sure you have the radio code. After reconnecting the battery, turn the key part way. Do not start the car for 3 minutes. This will allow the throttle to position itself.