New Zealand Audi Loner

Hi I can only imagine that you've disturbed the glow plugs on the engine somehow. I'm sure I'll be corrected if this engine doesn't have glow plugs! But on most diesel engines you get a warning light on your dash when you turn the ignition key to position II which is usually yellow and depicts and engine. I goes out after a few seconds as the glow plug has reached the temperature to ignite the compressed diesel/air mixture. If you try and start before the glow plug gets to temp, it does take more cranking. I guess that the light flashing must mean there is a problem with the glow plug. Hope this helps. John P

Thanks Gareth, you were right on the money there. About 10 mins after posting the problem I want back to the old girl and pulled all the sensors hoping for something obvious. On the right rear were 2 rusty bits of scale stuck to the magnet. I removed them and hey presto, everything works like a dream again. What I don't get though is why this was making the right front brake cycle through the anti lock 'stutter' at low speed. Just the right, and only the front. I can only guess that with one (undriven) rear wheel showing as moving slower than the other, the ECU assumed that the car was in some sort of spinning slide and this is the best way to correct. Maybe the forum wizards could comment on that? Thanks

Came across this once on a V8 C5 engine it was eventually tracked down to a faulty sensor - crankshaft position sensor. So basically at set off, the timing was way out causing a big lag in power delivery and then was compensated for by the anti knock sensor. The techies should be able to sort this on VAG Com, surely?

Hi Appealing to all you tech wizards for some devine inspiration please. ABS activated at low speed braking, always on one front wheel. Warning light comes on after a few miles. VCDS tells me that it is error code 00597 - Wheel speed deviation. OK. but which wheels?. Wheel bearings in rear hubs have been replaced and are adjusted correctly. Fronts seem OK.I've re seated both sensors and I'm on the verge of replacing one............. If I can find which one is acting up!. What should I try next please? Thanks in anticipation. John P.

Hi guys. 'Easy as' when I found it............... 3rd party after market alarm system! Reaching far and deep into the wiring harness like an Alien. (Several nights and meters of heat shrink later..............................................................) Engine running, quite tappety but not too obnoxious, however, heater matrix leaking!!!!!! This is making my $150 car look expensive now,. How much of a job is taking this beauty out? Kind regards

Thanks Trevor. The car doesn't have remote locking. The only key I have just has a small light which is activated by pushing the only large button on the key itself. I'm getting mighty confused by reading in other forums that this model doesn't have an immobiliser! The immobiliser light in the rev counter lights up when I turn the key on (I also get an audible alarm), turn to position 2 and I get lots of relay clicks, the immobiliser light goes out and nothing else happens. I've checked the relays and neutral/park switch but am not getting far. The only thing that keeps happening though is when ever I get into the car, the hazard warning lights flash for around 30 secs........... which takes us back full circle to an immobiliser. How do I disarm it if the key has no transponder or anything? Regards

Oh forgot, is there an idiots guide or decent online workshop manual for this beauty? Thanks

Thanks guys. Probably gonna bore you with some pretty mundane questions now;- Is the light flashing on the left centre dash the immobiliser armed light? Is there an infra red motion sensor with the immobiliser? Is the immoboliser armed and disarmed with the key in the drivers door? The car won't start (ignition key turns and various lights flash, but there is no solenoid click) and every time I get in, or move in the car, the hazard lights flash for a minute. The car won't unlock or lock with the key in the drivers door. So I'm guessing that this must be the immobiliser arming point. Does the car have an OBDII socket? Is the water pump on the cam belt drive or on a secondary vee belt? It is the ABC engine 2.6L V6. Geez, I haven't had this much fun since I tried to start a dead Range Rover once! :-) Thanks again guys, I really appreciate the welcome. On other forums I would have been met with a barrage of sarcasm and withering deprecation.

Hi. Just bought a 1997 A4 Avant with the V6 2.6 engine for $150 ( about 250 quid) to restore for my teenage son! Man this car has some interesting issues and I look forward to pestering you old hands as I work through them! Seems the car was taken off the road because of a failed water pump. So...... looking at possible full engine rebuild, or hopefully just water pump and cam belt. Any thoughts on how this engine copes with overheating? Thanks in anticipation John