New to this site - Problem with Audi A3

[njsupplies]

Hi There,

I am new to this site and not sure if i have posted this in the right place.

I have a 2003 audi a3 1.6se and have a fault which is showing the following symptoms:

- Overly underpowered.
- Not starting smoothly, and sometimes stalling while creeping in traffic etc
- Cold air through air con despite turning the temp as high as 26!
- Very rough drive with revs dropping sharply during gear change.
- Alot of rev play during idle.
- Fan at the front of the car would spin up extremely fast!

I did take it to a friend who is a mechanic and he noticed the breather pipe was cracked and replaced it, and replaced the temp sensor, but the problem is still there, and the engine management light and esp light are on

I noticed there was a post with the same thing but noone said what the problem was. Does anyone know? or will they please be able to help?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Broken Byzan]

Did the mechanic scan the car for faults?

It sounds to me like you probably need to change the MAF and thermostat, but withou fault codes its hard to say for 100%

 

[subby]

temprature sensor, and probaly the thermostat aswel.

edit: just noticed youve already replaced the temp sensor....as said above - go with maf next.

 

[reptor245]

I have a 2003 audi a3 1.6se - Overly underpowered.

Thats normal. 1.6 are sloooooow

 

[Essflee]

Sounds like more than one problem, I'd go with the thermostat and possibly maf or a coil pack or 2 breaking down...

 

[mark_sarah]

Always a good idea to see a vag com tester before you throw any money away......

Other than that ...
My mate had some of your described faults, and replacing the Mass Air flow sensor solved all of his problems. He never had the fault with the interior heating, so i would say the same as above the thermostat.
The MAF sensors are available cheap enough on ebay, but make sure you get the correct part number otherwise it will cause more problems.

Note: If you are a newbie, i would recomend you getting your fault codes reset once you have sorted that problem out, will help to identify any further faults.

 

[ex_scoobydoo]

dont mess about mate looking yourself, i spent a week poking around, the guys are probably correct in what they say, but get it checked with vag com or whatever, 2 min job and my problem was solved, it was the MAF

 

[pauldazzle]

Try unplugging the MAF. If the car then runs ok you have a dead MAF.

 

[njsupplies]

Hi Guys, thanks for the help, took it to audi care in leeds, he just replced the temp sensor again and same fault came up after 2 miles!!!! rang Audi and they said sounds like a wiring problem, taking it back to Audi care as they charged £100 to go on a machine and fit a new temp sensor!!!

 

[danA3T]

Christ! I wouldn't be happy with that. My motor's gone through a load of temp sensor's in its time, they must be a crap part or maybe just a bit of bad luck.

IMO I've heard bad reports from AudiCare and from the Audi main Stealer in Leeds (My sister's A3TQ came back to her with no gearbox oil after they were changing and 'forgot' to replace it).

I've use IVC in Leeds since I got my A3 in 2003 and theyre a bunch of knowledgeable guys. I believe they'll hook it up and diagnose your fault for free, they just bring the lappy out, plug in and bob's your uncle. By all means private msg me if you want the details.

 

[pauldazzle]

Cold air through the heater would suggest that you have an air lock or a blockage in the cooling system.

 

[pauldazzle]

Take the expansion tank cap off, put the heater on maximum & let the car warm up untill the fans come. Rev the car up to about 3000rpm & hold it there for a couple of minutes. Squeeze the top & bottom rad hoses to help move any trapped air. Keep an eye on the coolant level in the expansion tank & top up if it drops.

 

[pauldazzle]

BTW If when the engine has warmed up the rad bottom hose is still cold, you have still got an air lock or the thermostat is stuck closed.

 

[njsupplies]

Thanks for that!!!

Ive got it booked in for tomorrow to have the electric thermostat changed, the guy at this other audi specialist garage reckons thats what it is so fingers crossed it should be sorted!

 

[pauldazzle]

Electric thermostat??? What the hell is that??

 

[njsupplies]

Its just a thermostat but on the a3 its an electrical one, and you cant get it seperately, you have to buy the housing too! comes to about £60 for the part

 

[NHN]

There are loads of people on here that would scan for a few beers mate as it might not be the said issue, although maybe is, just if you've spent £100 already without success & now spending more that may or may not fix, seems rather more sensible imho to go down the almost free scan route 1st rather than run to a garage straight away.

 

[a3-se]

hi ive got the same car and same engine and ive got the same problem only my engine will not warm up at all stays right down on the temperature and of a morning it doesnt want 2 start ive been told this is down to my fans playing up though ive had my air flow meter changed my thermostat housing cuz mine was cracked and still the same had it plugged in and ive got 2 sensors down one on the radiator and one on the thermostat housing so once ive had them changed i will let u knw if this was my problem

 

[njsupplies]

I managed to get my money back from MERC CARE in Leeds (dont anyone ever go there!) and took it to IVC in Leeds and they changed the thermostat and it seems to have sorted the problem! i have heat, the fans turn off and the temp goes up to 90 degrees! and there is no more juddering when creeping in traffic!

 

[NHN]

Result, so site install of stat then or just non working.