1998 A4 1.8T... Flashing MIL, shuddering, etc.

[Zack01GC]

My current latest problem is that the turbo is seized. It's been this way for a while, so I just left it alone.

Now, lastnight I was driving the car, and the MIL/CEL began flashing. The car has NO power (yes, even less than normal with seized turbo), sounds like there is a miss, and shudders HARD at certain RPM's when I'm giving it gas, and at idle. The car shakes so bad I thought an engine mount broke.

Other than the turbo being shot, what is causing the car to run like this, and what can I do about it? It's my only car, so I HAVE to drive it to get anywhere, not driving it is not a very solid option. Never thought I'd have to put the hazards on when going up a hill in an Audi.

FYI it is a 1998 1.8T Auto/Tip Quattro.

Thanks.

[discontained]

My current latest problem is that the turbo is seized. It's been this way for a while, so I just left it alone.

Now, lastnight I was driving the car, and the MIL/CEL began flashing. The car has NO power (yes, even less than normal with seized turbo), sounds like there is a miss, and shudders HARD at certain RPM's when I'm giving it gas, and at idle. The car shakes so bad I thought an engine mount broke.

Other than the turbo being shot, what is causing the car to run like this, and what can I do about it? It's my only car, so I HAVE to drive it to get anywhere, not driving it is not a very solid option. Never thought I'd have to put the hazards on when going up a hill in an Audi.

FYI it is a 1998 1.8T Auto/Tip Quattro.

Thanks.

Coilpacks probabllly . Check your coil packs..

Start the car and hopefully it will idle, and remove a coil pack, if it cuts out, put that one back on,a nd try the other 3, if you pull one and it doesnt change its that bad pack. I belive your local VW/Audi dealer should have them in stock if needed.

[Zack01GC]

Thanks. Would that have anything to do with the car running (smells like) super super rich and kind of smelling like burning oil after a drive?

[discontained]

could be, mostly beacuase if one of your coil packs are not functioning correctly its dumping unburnt fuel into the exhaust.

Were you able to get it figured out?

[Zack01GC]

No, I won't be able to check until I can get it in the garage. It's dark and 26 degrees outside. I think it can wait.

I forgot to mention that when I was slowing down to turn on to my street, the car died on me. I'm just listing symptoms.

[discontained]

sounds like a coilpack, i would check them, if not than check your MAF

[njm23]

vag-com? see if you have any mis-fires

[Zack01GC]

vag-com? see if you have any mis-fires

VAG-com, well... anything that plugs into the OBD port will not read the car. I tried an OBD II scanner twice and VAG-com 3 times. Just will not read the car. I know, the car does have an aftermarket headunit, but I took it out for the 2nd and 3rd VAG-com scans, but it still wouldn't read the car.

[Zack01GC]

Okay, so I'm compiling a list of things to check:

1. Coil Packs. (Just take each one off while the car is idling and then if I pull one, and nothing changes, that is the bad pack - correct?)
2. MAF. Maybe clean it? Not sure what to do about this.

[FLACO X3]

Thanks. Would that have anything to do with the car running (smells like) super super rich and kind of smelling like burning oil after a drive?

yes. you can also damage your cat ive been told. but you dont need no stinkin cat

[discontained]

Okay, so I'm compiling a list of things to check:

1. Coil Packs. (Just take each one off while the car is idling and then if I pull one, and nothing changes, that is the bad pack - correct?)
2. MAF. Maybe clean it? Not sure what to do about this.

If the CHECK engine light (MIL) is flashing and its shuddering, sounds like a tank, than 9 times out of 10 its a coil pack.

All is required is, start the car, pop one coil pack, if it cuts off, than its good, move on to the next. Is it idiling rough? chances are its a coilpack.

Second, the MAF could have gone bad, i think you can unplug it and if it runs better it should if its bad, than well its bad. You can try to clean it, however more than likely you will have to replace it.

I would try the coil packs first, you can either pull the pack off the plug or disconnect the harness.. whatever is eaiser for you.

[Zack01GC]

Is there a safe method to checking the coil packs? Seems unsafe to be messing with them while the car is running.

[b5a4gt28]

My guess is the icm. The flash is most likely because its misfiring. Code read your car and see what cylinder or cylinders its misfiring on. Then swap the coilpack to that cylinder with another. If that doesn't fix it then its most likely the icm. Does the car sound like a Subaru?

[Toyotatech]

Flashing check engine lights are always a misfire. Yes it is OK to unplug or remove coil packs while the motor is running.........however if you cannot check codes swapping pack won't help because you cannot see if the misfire is following the coil. By unplugging a firing coil pack in this situation will make the motor run worse or shut the motor off, now if you unplugged the cylinder/coil pack not firing it would have no effect and the motor would run the same. If it is the ignition control module though the cylinder would not fire so unplugging coil packs would only tell you what cylinder is not firing.

I would guess it is the ignition control modual. You can test the ignition control modual by unplugging the conectors from both sides and testing resistance through each circuit with an ohmmeter. Each circuit are numbered according to the cylinder and the resistance values should be similar in each circuit through the modual. It is located on top of the airbox.

If the icm is found not to be faulty you can remove the coilpacks one by one and install a sparkplug and ground it to the motor to visually see what cylinder is misfiring and then swap coilpacks to verify the coil is bad (a spark tester works great for this too).

[D's Avant]

Sounds like the icm to me too. Same thing happened to me and it ended up being the icm, check the circuit like Toyotatech said. Good luck...

[Zack01GC]

The car does sound like a Subaru. I will have to add the ICM to the list.

[Zack01GC]

I pulled all of the coil packs, and the only one that it ran the same on was the 2nd one from the front. Pulled it, car ran the same, ran to the dealer and bought a new coil pack, and nothing changed! Still running like shit!

I guess my next course of action is this ICM. How much is a new one if mine is bad?

[eurotecknik]

www.ecstuning.com search "Ignition Control Unit". Stealership should be more expensive.

[HIERLEVELZ]

ICM is usually the culprit.