Tricky to start, judders when turning engine off

[TripppA3]

Hey again

So my Audi A3 2.0 tdi is having a bit of a wobble. Nothing seems straight forward at this age (2007)

Engine light is on, engine takes a few turns to get going (always leaped into action the moment I turned the key) and when I turn the engine off the whole car judders / shakes.

Engine seems a little louder than usual but not sure if I'm imagining that.

Error code I get is P2108, and some searching online indicates perhaps a throttle unit issue, maybe jammed open? 

This could explain the juddering, but not the starting trouble or the extra engine volume (if that's real).

Garage had a look but got all sorts of random error codes. They suggested maybe the flywheel is tired/on its way out but there don't seem to be any issues with driving / gear changes / clutch etc.  All their error codes indicated the car shouldn't run at all, but it does (quite well). 

Any experience of similar issues, I've had it suggested to get the throttle unit cleaned up, worth trying? 

Thanks again

Jon

[cliffcoggin]

There are many dashboard lights. Which particular one do you mean by "engine light"?

Is this the same car you mentioned in your topics of April 17th and the one before that, and are you still taking it to the same cowboy garage for diagnosis?

[TripppA3]

58 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

There are many dashboard lights. Which particular one do you mean by "engine light"?

Is this the same car you mentioned in your topics of April 17th and the one before that, and are you still taking it to the same cowboy garage for diagnosis?

Do you have any knowledge of the fault I described or are you just here to be condescending? I'm not a techy mechanic type car owner, but last time I checked the "engine light" is just that, the light shaped like an engine .... had it been another light, I would have described or named such light. 

 

If you've nothing constructive or vaguely helpful to say, feel free to scroll on by. Yes, it's the same car and the garage isn't a cowboy, they just were at a loss and the specialist garage did pretty much the same thing.

I'm just here asking for help, in case anyone has experience of this issue and perhaps what the cause was. I don't know much about cars, can't afford a new one, and can't afford to go to ludicrously expensive garages every time it goes wrong.

Edited August 14, 2022 by TripppA3

[cliffcoggin]

If you want help with a fault you have to be precise in your description of it, and that does not always happen. For example we had a correspondant recently who did not know the difference between a tachometer and a speedometer. So I make no apology for questioning which particular light you wrote about.

In an effort to be helpful I asked at the end of your previous topic about the battery. I have yet to read your answer.

[TripppA3]

15 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

If you want help with a fault you have to be precise in your description of it, and that does not always happen. For example we had a correspondant recently who did not know the difference between a tachometer and a speedometer. So I make no apology for questioning which particular light you wrote about.

In an effort to be helpful I asked at the end of your previous topic about the battery. I have yet to read your answer.

There's not much more to describe, as you can see from my previous posts I've described warning lights quite well. I appreciate sometimes descriptions aren't amazing, mine included, but there's a way of going about things. So yes, it's the engine light...not one of the other more specific warning lights.

In answer to your question on my previous post, the battery is a little over 2 years old and seems fine. It certainly didn't throw up any issues previously. The car starts every time (just takes longer to fire up) and was fine over winter.  

Since my April issues, the car has run fine, until what I've described as started to happen. 

I've read that on a diesel, the throttle unit jamming open can cause the engine to judder when stopping as the fuel isn't stopped as efficiently. Not sure this explains anything else though, and don't want to start trying new parts etc without a reasonable expectation it might be the culprit.

[Magnet]

Hello Jon,

Sorry to hear of your issue. 
Ref.   ‘………or are you just here to be condescending …..’ comment.
Based on my experience on this forum, no poster has ever previously been questioned of being so, and without ‘taking sides’, I would defend the actions of contributors who give up their valuable time to assist those who are in difficulties and wish to have their issues solved remotely, and without any, or at least minimum expense.

As with many forums-? We have a over-riding predominance of posters who wish to tap into free advice, yet it would be difficult  to count a handful of folks who regularly try to help out - more often than not,  in situations of vague or minimum description of symptoms, so it would be good if this was taken into consideration in your particular case.

I’m certain that the need to engage politeness is mentioned in the Forum Rules, so it would be great if any personal slights were avoided. Just as an aside, in my experience, when such comments arise, the ‘accuser’ has already lost the battle so to speak, and puts themselves in a disadvantaged situation going forward. Still. 
 

Apologies for having to to take the role of Moderator, but I’m sure you will understand the need in this case Jon.

Many thanks and kind regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. On a progressive note, ‘…..the garage…’ Is this garage a diesel specialist? If not, I would be making local enquires to find such a specialist - who should be able to diagnose  the issue for you, and you can then decide what you are going to do. 

 

[TripppA3]

4 hours ago, Magnet said:

Hello Jon,

Sorry to hear of your issue. 
Ref.   ‘………or are you just here to be condescending …..’ comment.
Based on my experience on this forum, no poster has ever previously been questioned of being so, and without ‘taking sides’, I would defend the actions of contributors who give up their valuable time to assist those who are in difficulties and wish to have their issues solved remotely, and without any, or at least minimum expense.

As with many forums-? We have a over-riding predominance of posters who wish to tap into free advice, yet it would be difficult  to count a handful of folks who regularly try to help out - more often than not,  in situations of vague or minimum description of symptoms, so it would be good if this was taken into consideration in your particular case.

I’m certain that the need to engage politeness is mentioned in the Forum Rules, so it would be great if any personal slights were avoided. Just as an aside, in my experience, when such comments arise, the ‘accuser’ has already lost the battle so to speak, and puts themselves in a disadvantaged situation going forward. Still. 
 

Apologies for having to to take the role of Moderator, but I’m sure you will understand the need in this case Jon.

Many thanks and kind regards,

Gareth. 
p.s. On a progressive note, ‘…..the garage…’ Is this garage a diesel specialist? If not, I would be making local enquires to find such a specialist - who should be able to diagnose  the issue for you, and you can then decide what you are going to do. 

 

I do understand, and fully appreciate anyone taking time out to help and would do so myself whenever I feel able. I maintain that my description was accurate and didn't require much expansion, the contributor on this post, and previously, has jumped to some negative conclusions, however perhaps I was quick to react for which I do apologise to the contributor.

I do appreciate any advice, and will seek out another garage. My "cowboy" garage have been very trustworthy for quite some years and have saved me a fortune in the past, but recently seem less interested in problems and more interested in mot and service work ... perhaps time to find a new regular go to garage, but will seek out a diesel expert as you suggested for this issue.

Thanks 😊 

 

[cliffcoggin]

As the battery is only two years old it is unlikely to be the cause of the problems, though I would not entirely rule it out. In your position I would have it deep discharge tested just to be sure.

If the faults lie elsewhere I doubt I can contribute anything useful so I shall leave it to others to assist.

[TripppA3]

28 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

As the battery is only two years old it is unlikely to be the cause of the problems, though I would not entirely rule it out. In your position I would have it deep discharge tested just to be sure.

If the faults lie elsewhere I doubt I can contribute anything useful so I shall leave it to others to assist.

I will definitely do that to be thorough. Thanks for the advice so far, I'll be seeking out another local garage and a diesel specialist in the meantime 👍