1999 Audi A4 1.8T: car suddenly started to shudder and check engine light is blinking

[mshan]

I own a 1999 Audi A4 1.8TQ manual with about 55,000 miles on it (timing belt was replaced probably less than a 1000 miles ago by dealer).

I drove the car this morning to the post office about 3 miles away without problem.

When I restarted the car and started heading home, I started noticing this weird shuddering of the car, then I noticed that the check engine light was blinking.

I drove the car home cautiously, and noticed that the shudder was very pronounced at idle, and seemed to get better at 3000 rpm (did not drive the car aggressively and 2500 - 3500 rpm is typically very gentle driving in this car). Didn't seem like I had lost any power in the car.

Restarted the car at home and same shudder and blinking light was there. Turned off car and left it off.

I did some googling and seems like I might have a bad coil and need to have it towed to the dealer to have it fixed.

Is this correct, and how much should this repair typically cost?

Dealer is about 7 miles away. Should I definitely have it towed, or is it safe to drive the car cautiously there?

 

[Fenixgoon]

yeah, sounds like a bad coil pack.

you can drive it to the dealer, but avoid using boost and don't go very fast (i was told to avoid going above 40)

 

[mshan]

How much should this type of repair typically cost?

 

[ViviTheMage]

coils, hopefully. otherwise the whole harness could be at fault...there may be arching between the wires, or maybe its just plugs.

you can do coils yourself, buy 4, put them in...VERY easy....like VERY VERY easy.

 

[mshan]

How much should this type of repair typically cost?

 

[mshan]

Can I just go to Autozone and pick up a generic part that will work in my Audi?

And is there any risk of damaging the electric systems of the car if I do it wrong? (or would Auto Zone replace it for me if I buy the part)?

 

[ViviTheMage]

get 4 coil packs from your local audi/vw dealer. They look like this :

http://pictureposter.audiworld...34925/153-5336_img.jpg

You typically replace all of them, at least that is what I did with my 1.8t.

On my 4th coilpack, I had to remove this little tray , which had 3 10mm screws on it, which a socket took off fine for me.

Then used a screw drive to pop off the coupling (from the wiring harness) off the old coilpack, and just, literally, pulled out the old ones. There is some suction, so it may take a little effort to pull them out. Dont worry though, they are not attached physically.

 

[mshan]

Over at Audi World, they are telling me that the "AEB" (?) coil packs rarely fail, and it is more likely I need a new ignition control unit?

Supposed to also be a unplug, swap, and replug type of DIY repair also (?)

(do I have to do anything like unplug black lead from car battery, or just pop off plastic engine cover, unplug, swap, and replug)?

 

[ViviTheMage]

if you are going to do your coilpacks, you dont need to undo your battery, at least I didn't.

I would purcahse all 4 coilpacks, and swap them. If that does not fix it, then return them (worst case). Also, if you can, get the cars codes read...that'll help out a lot. (Autozone will do it for free, they have the tool).

On the vortex forums, it is common to have coilpacks go 'out' and have the symptoms your car is having withthe 1.8t...because my car had the same symptoms. My CEL would come on/off as it was misfiring.

Man..towing it to the dealership is at least 100 bucks, + there diagnostic is another 100 bucks, and actualy parts and labor, you would probably look at 500$ for a 140$ parts job doing it yourself.

 

[mshan]

Is it possible the blinking check engine light / stuttering engine could be due to something else?

Someone over at Audi World linked me to this test for the Ignition Control Unit ( http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1594531.phtml ) and luckily I have all of required test equipment, so hopefully I can isolate problem to either coils or control unit.

Any good online places to order the parts?

 

[ViviTheMage]

I like http://www.autohausaz.com/

http://germanautoparts.com/

http://www.mjmautohaus.com/

http://www.ecstuning.com/

try your pick, I have had great luck with all of them...clutch kit from ecs. MJM I got rear hub assemblys, rotors, pads, etc. autohauze I have gotten OEM parts like window regulators and such.

IMO stuttering = misfiring , or bad coils/plugs.

 

[mshan]

Thanks for the links!

Someone else recommended German Auto Parts, so I may order from them after I've tested the ignition control unit.

May I ask if your A4 is year 2000 or after? Mine is 1999, and according to the link above, Audi switched whatever part fails from inside the ignition control unit to the individual coil packs in 2000.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Here is a direct link on MJM :

http://www.mjmautohaus.com/cat...4_OEM&products_id=2192

This is for a B5 engine, 1.8t.

I have an o1 vw jetta 20v 1.8t...relatively the same engine.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: mshan
Over at Audi World, they are telling me that the "AEB" (?) coil packs rarely fail, and it is more likely I need a new ignition control unit?

Supposed to also be a unplug, swap, and replug type of DIY repair also (?)

(do I have to do anything like unplug black lead from car battery, or just pop off plastic engine cover, unplug, swap, and replug)?

i had the ignition control module go at the same time as a coil pack.

was about $600 total for new parts +labor.

edit: world impex shows the ignition control module for $360.

 

[Vette73]

rockauto.com has...

Coils $25 each
Control module $86

5% coupon at fatwallet if that helps as well.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
rockauto.com has...

Coils $25 each
Control module $86

5% coupon at fatwallet if that helps as well.

how do they have that for so cheap? :Q:Q

 

[sjwaste]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
rockauto.com has...

Coils $25 each
Control module $86

5% coupon at fatwallet if that helps as well.

how do they have that for so cheap? :Q:Q

Reminds me of a BVSV on the Supra that was about $300 from the dealer. Turned out there was a part off the same year Camry for under $100 that would work just the same, just had to break off one of the mounting tabs or something to have it fit exactly as stock. Maybe it's that situation?

We also used to fit up a blowoff valve from the Saab 9000 turbo when the stock one failed. $25 part compared to the dealer in 3 digits.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
rockauto.com has...

Coils $25 each
Control module $86

5% coupon at fatwallet if that helps as well.

rock auto is awesome, I spend about 70% of my car's maintenance costs there.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
rockauto.com has...

Coils $25 each
Control module $86

5% coupon at fatwallet if that helps as well.

rock auto is awesome, I spend about 70% of my car's maintenance costs there.

Rock Auto is definitely kick ass.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Dude, before you go spening money replacing what may be perfectly good parts do yourself a favor and have someone run a diagnostic on the car to see what it causing the CEL.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Dude, before you go spening money replacing what may be perfectly good parts do yourself a favor and have someone run a diagnostic on the car to see what it causing the CEL.

This.

 

[JulesMaximus]

nm