2.5TDi Help required URGENTLY -Car dies on me

[Phil.MC]

Hopefully someone can help me, my 2003 A4 2.5TDi suddenly for no reason died on me while commuting at 40mph today. I was driving in traffic and suddenly the Traction Control light came on and the throttle was totally unresponsive. I pulled over to find that the Glow Plug light was flashing at me also, and the funny thing was that the engine was running, but nothing at all happened when I pressed the accelerator pedal. I plugged my OBD code reader in (Handy thing to keep in glovebox) and it reported NO DEFECT Codes. I switched the engine & ignition off for for about a minute and then resterted her and all was reset and back to normal. The engine sound was normal so I pulled away thinking it must have been some sort of electrical glitch, perhaps in the fly by wire throttle system.

About 1/2 mile down the road it did the same thing again. I reset the ignition so I could at least get the car home, and that is where I'm at just now. Please, please, please can anyone help me out here as I need my car on a daily basis. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Cheers, Phil.

 

[C17LJR]

Not good Phil, I'd get VCDS (vagcom) on the car as it should have faults present as a flashing GlowPlug light is an indication of a major fault.

 

[kite]

as said, get a scan with VCDS, also check your brake lights work..

 

[swarcup]

possibly an overboost on the turbo, they get sooted up and eventually get to a point where it doesnt deliver the requested boost and goes into limp mode, can be cleaned or sent away for an overhaul. just a guess although vcds will tell you if it is an overboost.

 

[Phil.MC]

Just been out in the ******* rain and checked the following: All brake lights-All operating OK.
Brake pedal switch actuation and re-seated the electrical connector.

Took it for a 1hr extended test drive in all conditions i.e. town, country and motorway. All is operating as normal My opinion is that it must have been a sticky brake pedal switch causing the ECU to revert to Limp Mode. (Assuming that limp Mode is more or less Engine Idle speed with no response to throttle commands??) Failing that, it could well be an intermittently faulty accelerator pedal switch??

Many thanks for the replies guys. I'll keep you posted in case it returns or if its something else entirely.

 

[audigeezA4]

hi mate
probably not related but i had the exact same problem last week, no throttle and glow plug light on as well as pdc light. mine was due to water getting into the footwell which now as been diagnosed as a faulty ecu box seal- my car has gone back to normal now but according to audi unfortunately the water leak has knackered my control unit which also is stopping my wipers from working!!! fortunately these lights have not come on again for me(touch wood) went to audi today for the wipers and on their diagnostics there was a fault which came up as "throttle sensor". but like i said, working fine now.

 

[Phil.MC]

I went to take the car to work tonight for to give it another 40miles or so, and no sooner had I pulled away from my street the lights and limp mode started again. I'm reasonably sure its just a sensor problem, so will see if I can drop it off at my Independant Audi specialist tomorrow for a more in depth diagnosis. With it being so intermittent I'm hoping its not a Major Fault as C17LJR suggests .

More to follow.......

 

[Turkster]

get well soon mate, Im sure its a sensor giving you a hard time mate,

 

[Phil.MC]

Just a qiuick update here. I've checked my ECU cover box and found that the lid was missing a screw and wasn't sealing properly. With all the rain & wind we've had North of the border at the beginning of the week I'm thinking it was down to that?
I've tightened the ECU lid and all is now back to normal with the A4. I've done around 100 miles and no further glitches, fingers crossed!

 

[audigeezA4]

lucky you, at least you didn't get water leaking into your footwell and corroding the electrical control units.