New guy with questions

[Wags38]

I have a 2002 A4 1.8 and it started stuttering during acceleration but cruises fine. I bought new plugs and coil packs from purems.com and installed them today. I drove the car around the block and everything seemed fine. But then I took it out for a longer drive and it started doing the same thing. Any ideas what the problem is or should I take it to the dealer?

Also, when I press the check button the coolant symbols and the oil can symbol show up in red, followed by the rest of the symbols in the top section of the display and they are all yellow. What do the 2 red symbols mean?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Brian66D]

red oil can = death

[Wags38]

I don't want to hear that! What do you mean death?

[Wags38]

I went out and looked at it and it is just the oil can symbol there is no writing underneath it.

[Brian66D]

change your oil....If all those lights are on, and the car doesn't say 'ok'

.....take it to the dealer or local indy shop

[Shak]

possible sludge indicator?

[kwimberly]

Ok, this had me worried because my CHECK sequence does the same thing. I think it's normal! I just went out and ran the sequence a bunch of times while reading the manual.

The coolant and oil can are considered "Red Symbols" in my manual. (page 34 and 35). Also note that the red oil can is oil pressure while the yellow oil can(s) are either the oil level or the oil sensor. All other symbols are "Yellow Symbols" (page 37) such as Low Fuel, Worn pads, oil level, oil sensor, Defective light bulb, etc.

The Red Symbols appear in the larger middle section of the display. The Yellow Symbols are at the top.

So, when your car starts up, or when you initiate the CHECK, it's natural that the Red Symbols appear red in the middle and the Yellow Symbols appear yellow at the top! However, make sure that it says OK after the CHECK routine.

If there is a problem, the problematic system would show additional "driver information" for 15 seconds after the CHECK finishes, and then the problematic system would flash the appropriate icon until the system is checked (i.e. - if the oil can isn't flashing - you're fine).

Also, when there is a "Priority 1" problem, you'll hear 3 beeps. A Priority 2 problem (the yellow icons) will give you one beep.

Quit scaring people like that!!!! (I'm new, too - had the car for a couple of weeks.) Also, please tell me that you don't have an owner's manual - you would have saved yourself (and me) a lot of stress!

[Brian66D]

your dash should only say 'OK' when you start it.....

[kwimberly]

your dash should only say 'OK' when you start it.....

Or after you initiate the Auto-Check sequence by hitting the Check button when the car is at a standstill or traveling over 3 mph and there are not problems found.

[Wags38]

Well I just took it and let it at the dealer. Kwimberly- I hope you are right about the oil and coolant symbols! I actually feel a little better after reading your post. I will let you guys know what they say about it when I talk to them tomorrow.

[kwimberly]

Well I just took it and let it at the dealer. Kwimberly- I hope you are right about the oil and coolant symbols! I actually feel a little better after reading your post. I will let you guys know what they say about it when I talk to them tomorrow.

I swear my CHECK sequence is just like yours, and based on the owner's manual at least, it seems perfectly normal. I was looking at the manual when I was typing my reply.

That doesn't mean there isn't something else wrong with the car though based on your other symptoms.

I'm a worrier by nature, and I'm convinced that you described a normal check sequence. So with that - I'm going to bed!

[Wags38]

I took it to the dealer and they are keeping it until atleast Monday because they can't figure out what is causing it to stutter. They didn't mention anything about the CHECK sequence so I guess everything is good to go there. But they did mention the TRANSMISSION as a possible cause. What should I do if they say that my CVT is going bad? Is there anyway around paying 7K for a new transmission?

[Pete4 1.8t]

Your check system is fine it goes through all the icons and the only reason those two are red is because they are "Priority" warnings. As long as it still says okay you're good. If it starts beeping at you like hell and then a red picture comes up then you know your in deep crap! Not sure about the stuttering you seem to have already replaced what i thought it could be...maybe a very minor vacuum leak..?

[gq9]

Or after you initiate the Auto-Check sequence by hitting the Check button

Damn makes our cars sound so high tech and futuristic. hahhaha

[Wags38]

I'm hoping it is anything other then the transmission!