Car loses power, runs rough, undriveable - help!

[Monsoon]

Ok, I need some serious help. Well my car does anyway! Was driving down the A1 this evening when car starts jerking and running very rough. No warning lights at this point. Then started to lose power. Emmision control light flickers on and off. Manage to make it to a layby and eventually decide to call breakdown. An hour an half later they arrive! Now at home, looking at it but bewildered. It starts fine and seems to idle ok except for the occasional moment when it misses a beat (and you can feel the whole car jerk). When I rev gently though it sounds very rough. I wonder whether the emission control light coming on is a secondary problem (e.g. mixture too rough which then affects emmisions). Any ideas gratefully received! Thanks.

Oh, and does anyone have an idea how I can get the car to my nearest Audi garage - 8 miles away. It's not really driveable. I did get the pickup truck to drive to the garage intending to leave it there, but it was all gated off / locked up and I didn't want to leave the car on the road outside. Thanks.

(Audi A3 2.0 FSi Sport, tiptronic, 53 reg)

 

[dc240969]

where you gunning it

 

[Monsoon]

No. Driving gently and normally.

 

[10blazin]

could be something silly like a coil i thought my car was v poorly when this happened to mine , replaced the coil everything fine ...

they have four coils although only one went , the guy who fixed the car said dont be surprised if another goes because once one does they all seem to but 6 month later its been fine it could be anything tbh

 

[dc240969]

fter reading some different threads, l would say disconnect your battery for about 10 to 20 minutes. thensee what happens. if all is fine then take it to your nearest audi. l dont know if your motor is new or older.

 

[Monsoon]

I did wonder about a coil. Will try disconnecting the battery too.

 

[Scott]

Can't you call breakdown again Monday and get them to take you to Audi?

 

[Monsoon]

Yes, that was my plan but I wondered if they might come up with some excuse from the small print saying they don't do second callouts for the same fault if not rectified since first callout, etc... But just called them to check and they were fine about it. Will call Audi on Monday to book in. Just started the car and it's still bad - completely misfiring, running very rough, and the emission control light flashing on and off.

Thanks for the sugeestions.

 

[10blazin]

i think it may be more than a coil because mine was really gerky and running terrible but it was popping at the exaust ...keep us posted hope its nothing to bad are you still under warrenty

 

[Monsoon]

No warranty unfortunately. May have to give the holiday a miss this year!

 

[10blazin]

dont right of your holiday yet right it off yet it maybe something daft as a coil pack there 40 quid ...
fingures crossed it will be and its cheap................

 

[yahyar]

any chance you filled up with diesel?

 

[Khufu]

any chance you filled up with diesel?

The diesel nozzle is bigger than unleaded so it shouldn't fit into the filler pipe.

It does sound like it could be coilpack. What mileage is on the car? I hope this isnt something i can look forward to!

 

[Monsoon]

No. Been going ok for three quarters of the tank. Presumably the problem would have started sooner if I had filled it up with diesel? Plus tank smells of petrol (don't know what the neighbours thought as I opened the petrol cap and started to smell it!)

 

[Monsoon]

About 46000 miles. Always looked after the car well - full Audi service history, do my own checks regularly etc.

 

[Monsoon]

Silly question really, but 3 weeks ago I took the car for an air con service at Audi and they overgassed the system which caused all sorts of problems (see http://audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=72965). Is there any conceivable way how that may have caused the problem I'm having now? Best wait for the problem to be diagnosed first, I know, plus I can't see how the two could remotely be related, but thought I'd ask the question. Anyway, I'll let you know the outcome whatever happens.

 

[kaz219]

Hi mate

if the emmisionslight came on get it on vagcom - dont disconnect the batt as then you will lose the fault code that appeared.

Vagcom will tell you what caused the light to come on.

At a guess, it could be the coil packs, maf sensor or even the temp sender but tbh, you really need vagcom.

if you post up your location, someone should be able to help for a few bob!

 

[Monsoon]

Ok, it's been diagnosed and you were all spot on - one of the coils has broken. They've quoted me £161.47 (£32.10 for the part and £129.37 for 1.5 hours investigation/diagnosis + labour). Anyone know if this price is in the right ball park or am I being ripped off? Also, is it wise to get all 4 coils changed? I wouldn't normally bother, but it just so happens that this summer I'm using the car abroad for the first time and obviously don't want the same thing thing to happen in unfamiliar territory (or when travelling to Dover to catch the ferry!).

 

[10blazin]

mine has been fine for just the one being changed im not sure on the labour its a shame you didnt know anyonw with vagcom as the coils are easy to change but at least its cheap you can still take that flight now heh ...

 

[kaz219]

If it were my car, I'd change them all.

Coil packs are iffy on all of the vag range.

Not seen 2.0 Petrol butif pretty sure thats exensive to change the coils..

Just get some quote from local garages or fins a vag specialist in your area.

As long as you use a reputable garage, you should be ok.

I never use Audi anyways and dont intend to - do most of the work myself and for servicing and other bobs, my local garage with vag specilaist dome fine!

 

[Monsoon]

Now the car's getting on a bit I'm increasingly tempted to do my own maintenance. On all my previous cars I managed most stuff (oil changes, brake pads, spark plugs, etc) but I think I may find my A3 a bit too much of a challenge. As with nearly all modern cars there are too many complex electrics, everything hidden away and difficult to access, wierd tools needed for basic jobs, etc. I'd love to pluck up the confidence to do this type of stuff as I'm fed up with Audi dealers - been to loads now over the past 4 years and the service at nearly all has not been up to much. Even those that others rave about on this site I've found only just acceptable. There used to be a good independant garage nearby which always used to be my first port of call, but it's changed hands now and has a bad reputation.

Sorry - rant over! Thanks for all the advice by the way.

 

[Khufu]

changing the coil packs will be as hard as changing spark plugs. You could well need all the newer type sockets ie torx etc to do a lot of the jobs on a modern car though.

 

[Flibble]

1.5 hours seems a lot for a simple diagnostic and coil pack swap. One of mine went - called breakdown and he did it then and there, took about 20 mins tops.

 

[10blazin]

yeah same as , 20 min from roadside assistance for a coilpack

 

[Monsoon]

Out of interest 10blazin & Flibble - which breakdown company are you with?

 

[Monsoon]

Right. Just picked the car up. Had all four coils changed. Total cost = £288, knocked down from £302. The garage asked Audi for a goodwill reduction but came back as a no. All running fine now.

Having done a bit of research on the web it seems VW/Audi went through a dodgy patch between 2001 and 2004 when it comes to coils, so cars of that age (including mine!) are more susceptible.

 

[Khufu]

Having done a bit of research on the web it seems VW/Audi went through a dodgy patch between 2001 and 2004 when it comes to coils, so cars of that age (including mine!) are more susceptible.

ah good, something to look forward too

 

[steven8661]

I've just posted a thread, and think mine has the same problems. Mines a 2003 2.0 FSi Sport A3 had a coolant sensor prob, but filled up at an Esso garage and 10 miles later the car started to severely misfire especially at low revs, maybe the fuel was a coincedence but at first i thought id had contaminated fuel.

misfires between cylinders 3&4 but my VAG scaner is just a simple one which only has code numbers and some arent listed.

I asked on my thread if anyone had changed them as i want to do it myself, im a mechanic in the army but you dont get taught any modern stuff unless you go on a specific course, but its all spannering at the end of the day

 

[pluves1]

Right. Just picked the car up. Had all four coils changed. Total cost = £288, knocked down from £302. The garage asked Audi for a goodwill reduction but came back as a no. All running fine now.

Having done a bit of research on the web it seems VW/Audi went through a dodgy patch between 2001 and 2004 when it comes to coils, so cars of that age (including mine!) are more susceptible.

I'm surprised you let them replace all four. Presumably you asked for this? Sometimes just replacing one should resolve.

I would write to Audi this is a know issue throughout VAG - did you keep the old coil packs?

Remember having this issue on a 2004 Leon Cupra R - AA/RAC man knew what it was straight away. Took me to local garage who didn't have any coil packs in stock and suggested I would have to leave the car with them - so I advised them to take one out of the Cupra R they had in the showroom to get me on my way

 

[Monsoon]

I wouldn't normally have bothered but I'm using the car abroad this summer and there are other various journeys coming up which are more "important" than usual. So I'd rather not take the risk on this occasion. I asked the question whether all four should be changed and the service advisor said no, not necessary. But then he rang me later on to say he'd spoken to a technician (at the garage - not Audi HQ) who advised all were changed as it's a "known problem". This was when he said he'd look into a goodwill offer from Audi. It just so happens that a few minutes before he called I'd been researching the problem on the web and found this is a common problem. Just type into Google "VAG coil" and you'll see what I mean! Combine this with the phonecall recommending they were all changed and I decided to go for it. I was thinking about writing to Audi about it and now you've said it too I will.

 

[Monsoon]

Oh - just seen your post steven8661. Sorry to hear this. The bloke I dealt with at the Audi garage told me he sold his 2.0 FSi 6 months ago, and two weeks after he sold it one of the coils went. The customer who bought the car off him was not pleased! Don't mean to sound like a doom-monger but maybe the very first 8p A3's are now getting to an age where this is likely to be a real issue.

 

[Monsoon]

Anyone know the postal address for Audi Customer services? The website just takes you to an online form which I'd rather not use. Also, is there a particular person I could address it to (though I guess as it's my first contact I'd best leave it as Sir/Madam?).

 

[10blazin]

Out of interest 10blazin & Flibble - which breakdown company are you with?

audi warrenty and the guy who fixed it says it usually he fixes alot of audis that just get sold because the guy who blasts the engine gets to over the top with the gun

 

[pluves1]

Anyone know the postal address for Audi Customer services? The website just takes you to an online form which I'd rather not use. Also, is there a particular person I could address it to (though I guess as it's my first contact I'd best leave it as Sir/Madam?).

Audi (UK)
Customer Services
PO BOX 400
Walsall
West Midlands
WS5 4XX

Tel 0800 699888

Keep your letter polite and to the point.
Send them the Reg no of car or VIN so they can identify it.
Send them invoice from Audi dealer for work done.
Explain you are not happy especially that coil packs are a known issue on VAG group cars built between certain dates.
Ask the dealer who replaced the coil packs if they still have the old ones - if they have go down and collect them. You might need them if Audi dont help first time round.
Explain to them your initial problem and why you needed it fixing.
Explain that on the advice of the garage you had them all changed as you didnt want to take any chances with a break down abroad (the Audi dealer should have known by the coil packs if they were known issue packs or if they had been replaced with newer ones.) This is why you need the original coil pack(s).

Hopefully for the sake of a stamp (make sure you get proof of posting) and a few minutes of your time Audi will be a bit more sympathetic to your issue.

Let us know how you get on.

Good luck.

 

[Flibble]

Out of interest 10blazin & Flibble - which breakdown company are you with?

It was audi roadside assistance - 1st year came with the car.

10blazin - sounds like what happened to mine. Was the day I picked up the car, roadside guy reckoned steam had got in due to overeager steam clean and rusted one of the coils.

 

[Monsoon]

The bloke at Audi who I dealt with (mentioned above) said his coil went after the engine was steam cleaned too. Nothing like that on my car though.

Have posted letter. Will let you know the outcome.

 

[Monsoon]

Well if anyone else can make sense of this then great, but I'm compeletely confused. Bear with me...

I wrote a letter to Audi UK Customer Services, and three weeks on still heard nothing. I've been calling them continously for the past two days trying to get hold of the right person, and have finally spoken to him. He has passed the letter to the garage, saying they will deal with this (even though the garage told me at the time that they already looked into goodwill). The garage say they know nothing about it or my letter, and Audi UK should be dealing with it. When I pressed for an explanation from Audi UK this is what I gleaned:

- Some Audi centres are empowered to make a decision on goodwill payments themselves. This is for cars up to 5 years old. Mine is just over five years hence the reason that the garage felt Audi UK should deal with my letter.
- Audi UK tell me that the empowerment rule can apply in this case however, and they along with the garage will reach a joint decision.
- It seems when the centre originally looked into goodwill for me (at the time of the car being fixed), they contacted the Audi factory in Germany for advice, and that came back a no. Going through Audi UK Customer Services is therefore another avenue to explore.
- The empowerment rule is meant to speed up the process for the customer (what a joke).
- If both the garage and Audi UK come to the same decision, then that is the final ruling. If the garage says no and Audi UK say yes, I can ask Audi UK to liaise on my behalf to persuade the garage to change its mind, but they do not hold the power to force a change.
- I have been promised a callback within 24 hours, from either the garage or Audi UK with a decision [uncontrolable laughter].

In short, in my case it seems Audi UK Customer Services have no power to offer me a goodwill payment, even if they agree I have a case!

To be honest I've almost reached a stage where I feel for the sake of a couple of hundred pounds it's just not worth the stress. I've had a steady trickle of problems since I bought the car 4 years ago - been in an out of garages more times than I care to remember - and have decided to soldier on with it until the winter and then sell it. I really wanted to love my Audi from the start, and have looked after it well, but it just doesn't pay me back with the reliabilty I expect (I'll put the violin away now!).

Honda Civic next maybe.

 

[10blazin]

i wouldnt even bother with the peices of **** ... when they dropped my car off spec was missing i paid for the ipod dock and got a lead and had a small crack in the window screan also as the guy pulled up he scuffed the alloy to bits i got nothing from audi i hope they all die

 

[FUNKYCLIFF]

Im sorry to hear about all the grief going on with the Main Stealers,im almost glad i could only afford to buy my A3 private and i took out a mechanical Breakdown cover with The AA for £69 for a year, if my coils pack up (I HOPE NOT) i shall just get the AA to drop the car off at garage and leave them to it.

 

[Monsoon]

I could probably cope with the plethora of faults that have plagued the car if the service I received from Audi was any good. The problem is, when you combine bad reliability with bad service it's very frustrating and disheartening. My main gripe is the lack of callbacks. It's just plain rude.

From what I've read of other people's experiences about coilpack failures, the AA and RAC repair at the roadside at a fraction of the cost. I'm with MoreThan breakdown and they use local breakdown companies to come out to you, meaning they are less sophisticated and can basically only tow you home. I think I'll go with AA or RAC when my breakdown's up for renewal in November, even though they are more expensive.