View Full Version : Well, I thought things were OK
Charles
09-15-2009, 08:41 AM
You may remember the fact that my ECU died (According to the dealer) and I had to argue with them a bit to get it fixed (due to my GIAC flash), but they said they'd go ahead and cover it. So, they fix it and I get it back. Literally, the next day, it dies again. Same symptoms as before. So, they tow it in and now they're saying the MAF shorted out due to the oil from my K&N. WTF? I didn't put any more oil on it when I bought it. I just put it on and it's been about 5K miles so far. It seems as though they're just grasping at straws then blaming it some aftermarket mod so they don't have to pay for it.
They also said my battery was dead and it needs to be replaced. It's never given any hint of going dead. How's it all of a sudden dead?
Any ideas?
schmally
09-15-2009, 08:43 AM
its because they left the key in the ignition or the hood up to long and completely drained your battery, which then sulfated and wouldnt recharge (their fault) but now they are trying to make it yours
Grishbok
09-15-2009, 08:44 AM
your shop is retarded and dont actually know what the problem is. Battery is dead cus the shop probably left the electrics on the car.
schmally
09-15-2009, 09:02 AM
^^ yes
Charles
09-15-2009, 09:18 AM
Yeah, there's no way I'm paying for a battery. There was nothing wrong with it before they got a hold of it. I've gone through my share of dead/dying batteries and they don't die and need replacing all of a sudden. I bet they left the keys in the car over the weekend.
LimiTed
09-15-2009, 09:24 AM
i dunno about the MAF thing, but as for the battery, i might just take the loss on that one. they were cool enough to replace ur ecu which has been flashed.
Stubek
09-15-2009, 09:28 AM
Some dealers are better than others at accepting a modded car and being able to tell what is the mod fault and what is Audi. Find a different dealer.
Charles
09-15-2009, 09:35 AM
The point is, I don't think the ECU was the issue before. They replaced it, now it's dies the same way (driving fine, then shuts off completely...no chugging, just dead, and won't restart) the very next day? I just don't want to shell out $$ for a MAF and that not be the problem.
Is there any way to test it? I know I've tested sensors before using a multi meter. I'm assuming this would be the same process?
Holger B
09-15-2009, 09:52 AM
Those don't sound like the symptoms of a bad MAF. More like an electrical short somewhere.
Also, you can clean the MAF: http://www.crcindustries.com/auto/content/prod_detail.aspx?S=Y&PN=05110
They're right about oil from the K&N getting on the MAF, that's why I stick with paper elements in all my cars now. If what they're telling you is right (I don't think it is), clean the MAF and use a paper filter and you should be good to go.
Charles
09-15-2009, 01:00 PM
So they're saying it needs to be replaced. Can the oil cause the MAF to break completely or do I just need to clean it?
And yeah, I thought the car would run with a bad MAF, it would just run like crap.
I just read on K&N's site that MAF's failing are a myth and they have an 800 line to report complaints. On the phone now. ;)
audidrver
09-15-2009, 01:20 PM
I clean and re-oil my cone filter at least every 10k. I find the maf to be soaked with oil a few weeks after the recharge. I simply wipe it off with a dry rag and call it a day.
wayneB7
09-15-2009, 06:09 PM
So they're saying it needs to be replaced. Can the oil cause the MAF to break completely or do I just need to clean it?
And yeah, I thought the car would run with a bad MAF, it would just run like crap.
I just read on K&N's site that MAF's failing are a myth and they have an 800 line to report complaints. On the phone now. ;)
K&N can say what they like on their site -- they are trying to sell oiled filters.
I was advised by my SA, when he saw my K&N sticker, that if it caused my MAF sensor to fail due to oil deposits Audi will not honour the warranty on it or any failures that result from that (my paraphrasing) -- and they are a friendly dealer to me. The car was not in for any related problem. I told him I knew about that and was careful to get rid of excess oil before installing the filter. So far and about 10k miles I have no problems.
In reality, if the MAF sensor failed and you have a K&N that was the cause Audi can and most likely will refuse to honour any warranty on the MAF sensor. People who mod they Audis are a minority when total sales and demographics are concerned.
Good luck.
Charles
09-16-2009, 05:51 AM
As I said in the other thread, if my mods are causing my problems, I have no problems taking responsibility. The K&N has been on for about 5K miles. And yes, K&N is trying to sell filters, but they also have set up a department to work with dealers and do testing, so why not attempt to use them as leverage? Honestly, I'd think if this was really an issue, there would be some class action lawsuits or something along those lines.
My concern is that, even with a malfunctioning MAF, the car should be running. Hell, it should run if you remove it completely. That's not the case. The car simply shut off while I was driving...just like it did when they told me the ECU was dead (and tried to not cover it under warranty due to my flash).
I just don't want to buy a new MAF and that not be the problem.
Anyone happen to know the part number off hand? Also, will the MAF from the VW 2.0Ts work in our B7??
Big Nodge
09-16-2009, 06:40 AM
According to ECS it's 06F906461A and appears to be the same part on VW & Audi 2.0Ts.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B7_A4-Quattro-2.0T/Engine/Intake/ES10770/
Sounds like this dealership is a clown show, but I did have a MAF die from an over-oiled K&N on my B5. So it can happen.
Charles
09-16-2009, 07:19 AM
Ok, update...SA says the MAF is causing a short which is making the fuse for the ECU to blow and causing the car to shut off.
I need to call back again, but that leads me to believe the MAF can just be cleaned (if the problem is due to the K&N oil), the fuse replaced and I should be good to go??
I'm gonna call back and ask if the car is running, then take it from there.
Thanks for the part number, Nodge.
nramsey
09-16-2009, 08:35 AM
So wait, they changed the ECU when it was just a blown ECU fuse?
wayneB7
09-16-2009, 10:40 AM
Ok, update...SA says the MAF is causing a short which is making the fuse for the ECU to blow and causing the car to shut off.
I need to call back again, but that leads me to believe the MAF can just be cleaned (if the problem is due to the K&N oil), the fuse replaced and I should be good to go??
I'm gonna call back and ask if the car is running, then take it from there.
Thanks for the part number, Nodge.
Getting closer to the real answer .... keep the updates coming. [:)]
So far we know that the malfunctioning MAF could be a root cause, and it stands to reason that the car would quit if the MAF caused the ECU to quit.
Some audi dealers are idiots. I had a flickering left side HID and sent it in and they spent around 1200 bucks to fix it.... on the RIGHT side. had to send it in again.
Charles
09-16-2009, 10:53 AM
Yes, but how would the MAF be causing a short to blow a fuse, and what would that have to do with oil from the filter? Isn't the MAF element completely separate from the actual electronics?
wayneB7
09-16-2009, 05:18 PM
Yes, but how would the MAF be causing a short to blow a fuse, and what would that have to do with oil from the filter? Isn't the MAF element completely separate from the actual electronics?
I don't know specifically because I am not familiar enough with the electronics on the car.
The fact that the MAF assembly is electronic and that it is electronically linked to the ECU means that a malfunctioning MAF could possibly have some effect on the ECU, for instance if it were to send an abnormally high current back. What might cause a malfunctioning MAF assembly to do that could be a drop in resistance in the MAF's feedback circuitry, and that could be caused by fouling from the filter oil.
One would have to know the details of the system's electronics in order to know for sure. I am just guessing.
Charles
09-16-2009, 07:25 PM
Looks like they're only gonna charge me for a diagnostic charge. Car's currently running, so I'm gonna buy some of that MAF cleaner, stock up on fuses and see what happens.
wayneB7
09-16-2009, 08:49 PM
Looks like they're only gonna charge me for a diagnostic charge. Car's currently running, so I'm gonna buy some of that MAF cleaner, stock up on fuses and see what happens.
Sounds like a good plan. Careful with the MAF cleaner, and follow instructions carefully.
I once applied throttle body cleaner liberally to the TB of my old 1999 Honda Accord and the car ran like crap afterwards. Had to bring it to the mechanic and he basically said I overused the stuff. There was a lot of gum in there to take out but what started as a DIY tune up ended up costing me over $200.
Looks like they're only gonna charge me for a diagnostic charge. Car's currently running, so I'm gonna buy some of that MAF cleaner, stock up on fuses and see what happens.
Keep in mind K&N has had a lot of dealings with shops with un-knowledged techs claiming MAF failures on their products.
Check K&NS FAQ on the subject (http://www.knfilters.com/faq.htm#27) and print it out for your shop.... You can even provide the 800 number (Phone: (800) 858-3333 or (951) 826-4000) so your tech can talk to someone at K&N with some actual brains....
BOL
Vince