2.8 wont start. please help.

[worldwidewille]

so i got this car from a family member, a 1996 2.8 and it's been sitting since april.

the car wouldn't crank. so i changed starter and battery. car cranked, but didn't turn over. So i suspected bad fuel. added more fuel and the car began to run albeit very poorly.

what sounds like valve noise or misfiring and very sluggish acceleration. kinda like a turbo car, ie. not linear. I got this code:

1 Fault Found:
16486 - Mass Air Flow Sensor (G70): Signal too Low
P0102 - 92-00 - Unknown Error Elaboration

AND the temp needle is on the way on hot at start and stays there. also the temp indicator light is flashing.

so i changed out all the old vacuum line, seafoamed the gas, cleaned the maf with electrical cleaner, cleaned out all the connections with the electrical cleaner and put some dielectric gel in the maf connector.

now the car will not run. it cranks but doesn't turn over. i unplugged the maf and still no change.

any leads would be appreciated.

thanks.



also, if there is someone in san jose that wants to swap mafs for a diagnostic, ill buy you lunch or some beer.

[Noma12vA4]

my mechanic said he rarely sees problems with the metal MAF from our AFC 12v's compared to the plastic MAF's in other b5's, it probably not the problem. Have you checked the plugs? My 12v would run like you described at start-up until I changed them last weekend. What color is the temp. indicator light you are describing?

[walky_talky20]

If the temp needle was pegged hot, the ECU could be getting bad temperature data as well. If the engine is stone cold, but the ECU is thinking it is overheated, you'll be quite hard pressed to get it to even sputter. It simply won't deliver enough fuel. The mixture will be "dumb lean" for a cold start scenario. I'd try replacing the coolant temp sensor.

If you have vag-com you could go into the measuring blocks and see what it is reading for coolant temp directly (as apposed to just guessing it is the sensor and buying the part on a whim). A bad temp sensor could also explain the poor running. The mixture would be way off.

[worldwidewille]

I checked the plugs and they look fine. They are those platinum 4 pronged type.

I was thinking it might be the temp sensor. I read there are two. The temp sensor icon is red.

I do have a knock off Vag com and am running vcsd lite. It doesn't seem to have that option. Is there a better free way of doing this?

[walky_talky20]

Yes, vcds lite should have the ability to see the first 20-something measuring blocks. The one with coolant temp is #3 or so. The temp sensor for the ECU and the gauge are a single part, located at the rear of the engine in the coolant hard pipe. I believe it is near the rear of the passenger side cylinder head on the 12V. The other sensor would be the fan switch which is located on the radiator, near the lower radiator hose. That just controls the electric fan operation.

[worldwidewille]

Thanks, they are cheap enough, I'm just going to buy one. Finding them locally isn't too easy. Must play the waiting game with ebay.

[worldwidewille]

ive noticed a few types of coolant temp sensors. would this be the one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COOLANT-TEMP...ht_3502wt_1037

[worldwidewille]

can someone confirm this is the right piece: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Standard...ht_3612wt_1139

thanks

[walky_talky20]

No, I cannot. Because neither of those are correct.

If your A4 is a 1996 12V (10th digit of the VIN is a "T"), you need the temp sensor with part #058-919-501A
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...01A/ES1848506/

Cheaper version:
http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2524963/

And since you are of the eBay persuasion:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coolant-Temp...sories&vxp=mtr

[worldwidewille]

thank you sir. sorry for the hastiness in my postings. im just trying to get this out our my uncle's driveway, smogged and registered. the man has been eyeing it for tow.

[walky_talky20]

Your welcome. I know how you feel. Broken Audi's are no fun for anyone. Well, except for the stealership who converts them into piles of cash.

I think you should throw in a new temp sensor and a fresh set of spark plugs and see what happens.

[worldwidewille]

will do, i hope to be a contributing member. this car is so clean i am selling my 2002 wrx with the same mileage for it. im thinking maybe a tdi swap down the road once i get more forum time under my belt.

[walky_talky20]

TDI swap sounds awesome. There was a guy on here who did that. Chipped, black smoke, the whole 9. It was pretty cool, I have to say.

Oh, and a tip. If you want to throw in fresh plugs, just get some NGK copper plugs. You can throw the platinum's back in once it's running right.