2006 A6 limped home

[Jbaby]

2006 A6 3.2L, bonestock with 53k miles. Drove home from work this morning, about 30 miles, and car ran fine till i got off the freeway (3 miles from home). Out of nowhere the car starts running like crap, wont accelerate, real rough like its on 3 cylinders. ESP light came on and the MIL engine light was flashing. ASR malfunction also displayed on the Driver Information Display. Any Audi techs or mechanics or anyone know what it could be? Traction is not an issue (new tires, dry roads, light throttle). Of course it happens just out of warranty. I thought my next trip to the dealership was gonna be $700 for the 55k service. Looks like it might be more. Dealerships are closed today so any insight would be helpful.

[c6bel]

hard to tell without knowing any of the fault codes. engine lights and driveability issues are few and far between on the c6 platform. a blinking engine light means you do have a misfire. how many will be determined with a scan tool, as well as the esp light (most likely related faults). honestly, your best bet is to have it repaired at a dealer you trust. it really isn't wise having just anybody with a vag-com try to fix it.

[wofman]

coils? need to read codes on Vag-Com

[Stampy]

we need some codes man. If you could get to an autozone, they could get you generic OBDII codes at least.

[Kemer1]

Now you're freaking me out man...I have an 05 3.2 with 46k on it, and I really don't want to be on a first name basis with my dealers service dept. Hope mechanical issues are few and far in between.

[Kevin1]

I am betting on the coil packs. It happened on my 05 4.2 a couple of years ago. I know that this is a somewhat common problem in that there is a TSB for at least the 05/06 4.2. I don't know about the 3.2. However, this has been an Audi weakness for quite some time.

[Jbaby]

Just called the two Autozones around me and they told me no retail stores in the state of California are allowed to scan for the error codes. Does not really make sense to me but what do I know. The VAG-COM tool from ross-tech is an option but I need something ASAP. Gonna go drive it around and see what happens. If it continues, she will be sleeping on the doorstep of Penske Audi tonite. If it is coil packs does anyone know of any good aftermarket? It sounds like coil packs are not Audis forte.

[Kevin1]

The dealer replaced mine with a redesigned set of coil packs. I have not had a problem yet, but only time will tell.

[Jbaby]

So I go out to give it a test drive. Suns out and the car is looking good (just had it washed yesterday), kind of like a cute puppy that just tore the hell out of your government stimulus check. That was another headache, don't even ask. I am thinking im gonna go out there and fire it up and it will have fixed itself. No such luck. Its missing and all the lights and Drivers Display are going crazy. Coulda been Xmas themed now that I think about it. I didn't even drive it. When i held it at about 2600rpm it seemed smooth but idle is something else. Before I say that i hope its just the coil packs, does anyone know how much for all 6? Next stop is Penske.

By far this is the best car I have ever owned but its been a headache since the start. DMV did a number on the registration, AAA wouldn't insure it till it was registered, had two people back into within about 2 months of each other, had to replace brakes and front rotors at about 45k miles (nope, not part of the service agreement - $700 give or take), found out the 55k service is about $700, and now this. I love the car but man, I feel like im dating a gold digger.

Thanks for all the insight though guys.

[A62TURBO]

^^^ Don't waste your money on the 55k service, you already had your brakes done and bring it to a good indy for the oil change, engine filter is pretty easy to do yourself too.

[Kevin1]

^^^ Don't waste your money on the 55k service, you already had your brakes done and bring it to a good indy for the oil change, engine filter is pretty easy to do yourself too.

Besides the oil change he will still need to replace the cabin filter, replace the spark plugs, replace the air filiter, replace the air filter, clean the snow screen, and many other things. With the C6 the 55k mile service is the major service. It is not service on which to try out an indy shop. If you already have an indy shop that you are happy with that is fine. But don't experiment with the car's major service.

[mcaanda]

Just called the two Autozones around me and they told me no retail stores in the state of California are allowed to scan for the error codes. Does not really make sense to me but what do I know.
< snip >

This is because the lobbyists for the auto repair gurus had come to the conclusion that their bread and butter ( shops ) were literally loosing 55.oo - 95.oo on up each time that AZ would scan their customer cars.

You'd be able to find out what was wrong, order the parts if it was not a major repair, and go about your way cutting out the dealer and indy shops.

This created lost business revenue that they convinced law makers that they would not survive without.

I used to work part time at an AZ in CA and this is what they told us. Total crap if you asked me. I called BS on it every time and if there was a customer that had an issue, I was always the first one out there with the scanner - Jesus Christ people, it's called CUSTOMER SERVICE....

Whew, that felt better... Nothing like a little couch time to make ya feel better and get out some of that frustration.

GL w/ your repairs.

[utripn]

So I go out to give it a test drive. Suns out and the car is looking good (just had it washed yesterday), kind of like a cute puppy that just tore the hell out of your government stimulus check. That was another headache, don't even ask. I am thinking im gonna go out there and fire it up and it will have fixed itself. No such luck. Its missing and all the lights and Drivers Display are going crazy. Coulda been Xmas themed now that I think about it. I didn't even drive it. When i held it at about 2600rpm it seemed smooth but idle is something else. Before I say that i hope its just the coil packs, does anyone know how much for all 6? Next stop is Penske.

By far this is the best car I have ever owned but its been a headache since the start. DMV did a number on the registration, AAA wouldn't insure it till it was registered, had two people back into within about 2 months of each other, had to replace brakes and front rotors at about 45k miles (nope, not part of the service agreement - $700 give or take), found out the 55k service is about $700, and now this. I love the car but man, I feel like im dating a gold digger.

Thanks for all the insight though guys.

start the car, pull each coil out 1 by 1, and see if anything changes to worse, and let me know.

[A62TURBO]

Besides the oil change he will still need to replace the cabin filter, replace the spark plugs, replace the air filiter, replace the air filter, clean the snow screen, and many other things. With the C6 the 55k mile service is the major service. It is not service on which to try out an indy shop. If you already have an indy shop that you are happy with that is fine. But don't experiment with the car's major service.

The only thing I would say reqires alittle bit more skill is the spark plugs, and that is quite simple on the C6 if you know how to use basic tools. Other than that I would not pay for the dealer to do the 55k service.

[Gigi]

Coils are what.... $40/piece I seem to rememeber plus labor if you can't do it yourself...
It all sounds like a coil but whay would the ESP light be on....!? The CEL I understand and agree bt ESP..
Was the car shifting? not stuck in 4th, right? Wantt o make sure yuo're not in limp mode.

Find someone with a VAG com who can help get the codes, there has to someone on this forum nearby who can help... Post in local forum maybe and in the A6 repost with a question as the title looking for someone near XXX with a VAG

[Jbaby]

Is everyone sitting down? $1080.00 is the total. A large majority of that is the 55k mile service which is due in about 1k miles so they might as well do it now. I had 2 coils packs, not sure which cylinders. I am having them replace all 6 since they aren't charging me the labor (I am saving the 4 good ones in case another one goes out). The coils have to come out to the change the plugs for the 55k service. Of course they have to order the parts and it wont be ready till Weds night.

As far as saving a few bucks to do the 55k service myself, not gonna happen. I have built several race cars and boats and used to be a Toyota and Lexus mechanic, so I know I am capable. I also know the importance of having the right tool for the job and the experience to do the job. An oil change is one thing but the trans service and adjustment is something else. There is a laundry list of other things they do in the service (or they say they do) according to the manual.

Here is how I look at it. Would I take my car to a shop and have some guy who worked on Toyota and Lexus cars for a year or built a few American race cars and boats work on it? Hell no! Well that's me so I ain't gonna do it. Money don't grow on trees but I didn't buy a 50k car so I could learn how to work on them. I woulda bought an A4 for that. JK, it was a cheap shot.

You guys were right though, coil packs. I will update you with a driving report when i get it back. thanks again guys.

[Kevin1]

I guessed coil packs. Now I am guessing $600 for the 55k and $480 for the coil packs. How close did I get?

[wofman]

glad you're (almost) back on track -- but looking at it altogether, DMV, insur co. and knucleheads in reverse are not really Audi issues: hey, brakes and 55K are not so bad, but I have no idea what's with coil pack issues I hear about sometimes.

[Gigi]

glad it is only a coil pack issue.

[Gigi]

have you considered a warranty? I love mine and glad I have it. Just two weeks ago, they covered a $900 alternator change

[mcaanda]

< snip > $900 alternator change

Did they do anything else while they were in there?

[A62TURBO]

have you considered a warranty? I love mine and glad I have it. Just two weeks ago, they covered a $900 alternator change

Damn, they had to strip the front end for that right?