buying a 2005 a4 3.0 with auto trans

[LEEWSEE]

i could use some advice buying a 2005 a4 with 3.0 engine + auto transmission. overall the car is unkept. some oil leaks under the hood, i suspect they are in the back (cam chain adjuster area). the big question mark are the lights that are on in the cluster - ABS light is on, air bag light is on and esp light is on (related to ABS i suppose). battery tray is full of leaves and pine needles but dry. the car runs and drives well with 98k on the odometer. carfax is good. i scanned for codes (hand held scanner) after driving a few miles and no codes were found. any suggestions about the warning lights? could this be related to water damage? are the lights separate and unrelated problems?
thanks
leewsee

[blitz2190]

the airbag light is a fault somewhere be it wiring or a bad sensor or no one cleared it after it was fixed if it was. the abs could have an issue or it could have not had power, was the battery dead prior to the test drive? is it awd?

[Bmase]

Abs and Traction light might be bad maf or it being unplugged or loose connection also

[LEEWSEE]

car is awd. this car had the appearance of having sat for a while.
in reference to the abs: seller said he was told problem was with a rear wheel sensor. i have heard that the abs control module on the vw/audis can be a problem, but can be repaired.
thank you
leewsee

[coffeysm]

Airbag light like someone mentioned, but I know on my Volvo it was due to a dirty connector. I cleaned up the connector, but then had to use a Chinese Volvo clone tool in order to actually turn the airbag light off. I'm guessing the Audi is similar and you might need a dealer tool to get rid of the light.

Try finding someone with a Ross-Tech, so they can scan everything the ODBII is not going to find any other possible faults.

ESP light from what I have read can be a brake switch, which is like 5-10 bucks. I have an 04 with the same issue and will be trying a new brake switch soon.

[LEEWSEE]

really?? a bad maf(mass airflow sensor)? how are the systems interconnected? i scanned for dtc's and found nothing, but the seller could have cleared codes prior.

[paul85]

the vagcom tool can get rid of the airbag lights. Dollars to donuts, its probably the connector on the bottom of the passenger or driver's front seat. They are known to go bad and there is a TSB out on it. The clone cable is cheap on ebay and the free software will allow you to clear the airbag light.

Major things to be aware of with the 3.0.

1. Vacuum hoses should probably be replaced
2. PCV system is prone to failure
3. Take the timing belt cover off and check the condition of the belt
4. Oxygen sensors, B1S1 in particular, can be a byotch to replace.
5. Overall, the 3.0 is a decent engine, snappy, fun to drive. Enjoy the car!

[LEEWSEE]

bottom line: doesn't look like any big issues that would be a deal breaker but unfortunately seller has no service records and i would have to assume timing job has not been done. what should i deduct from asking price ($4200)? i have to assume also that transmission has never been serviced. this scares me. if i service it now will it start to slip??

[Protection]

With no records, I would factor in the cost of replacing the timing belt and price accordingly. You can also figure on replacing cam adjuster seals, cam seals, and maybe the cam adjuster "piston" seals. I had the airbag light on my recent 3.0 purchase. Turned out to be the clock spring in the steering column. Was an easy fix. I picked up a used one on eBay for $25. It may have just been the contacts. After replacing it I checked for continuity at the pins and the old one seemed good.

If you decide to do the timing belt yourself, I have the special tools to lock the cams and crank pin. You are welcome to borrow them.

So how much is the seller asking?
Also at 98k miles and no tranny issues, I would not hesitate to change the fluids and filter. But only use genuine Audi fluid.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LEEWSEE]

he's asking $4200

[blitz2190]

it could be anywhere from a wheel sensor to needing a new module for the abs which can run from $100 -$500 depending on where you get it and if you buy used. the timing belt kit is around $500 ($260 with no coolant pump and other things that should be changed while in there.) not including fluids. so offer accordingly, the 3.0 also had issues with the variable intake breaking, it won't keep it from running but can affect performance, but you would need to pull the intake or the vaccuum actuators to see if its broken. the airbag can be as simple as the plug under your seat needing to be fixed or may need a new sensor. again this is all guessing and the best thing to do would be to scan the individual modules which requires a vag capable tool such as a modis or vag-com and a cable.

[imnuts]

If you aren't going to DIY the timing belt, estimate about $1500-2k to get it done properly at a reputable shop, $2k-2500 at the dealer. If see if you can get someone with VCDS to do a full scan for you to see what faults may be in other modules too besides what is lighting up the dash.

Sent from my Pixel XL

[86turbodsl]

I just got a timing belt done for 260 in parts including the water pump. I always replace everything touching the belt except the cam pulleys and crank damper.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[Protection]

I just got a timing belt done for 260 in parts including the water pump. I always replace everything touching the belt except the cam pulleys and crank damper.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

USD? I spent $700 just for the timing and serpentine parts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[86turbodsl]

Usd. Rock auto. Conti kit. Good parts. Nothing cheap.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[imnuts]

Usd. Rock auto. Conti kit. Good parts. Nothing cheap.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

Did you do any of the serpentine/accessory belt items? What about the tensioners and dampeners? I have yet to see a 3.0 kit less than $450 that replaces a majority of the stuff for a full timing job, most are $550+.

Sent from my Pixel XL

[86turbodsl]

Everything. Go look.

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

[LEEWSEE]

NOT FAMILIAR WITH VARIABLE INTAKE OR MODIS? PLEASE EXPLAIN. I AM A 1.8T GUY. ALSO, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH OBD ELEVEN (diagnostic tool)?

[Nollywood]

NOT FAMILIAR WITH VARIABLE INTAKE OR MODIS? PLEASE EXPLAIN. I AM A 1.8T GUY. ALSO, ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH OBD ELEVEN (diagnostic tool)?

Cap locks stuck?

[naysay15]

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH OBD ELEVEN (diagnostic tool)?

You do mean OBD II?
As in the roman numeral 2? LoL

[Protection]

This is the problem with the plastic arms on the variable intake breaking (I don't know what the hell that wire is supposed to do--I got it like this)


The solution:
http://www.gruvenparts.com/billet-au...ake-link-arms/



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[LEEWSEE]

You do mean OBD II?
As in the roman numeral 2? LoL

its a diagnostic device - blue tooth dongle that works with andrid systems
http://shopdap.com/vag-com-vcds-alternative/

[LEEWSEE]

alas i have settled on a 2007 A4 2.0T with 6spd. thanks for the help all.

[naysay15]

its a diagnostic device - blue tooth dongle that works with andrid systems
http://shopdap.com/vag-com-vcds-alternative/

Nice!

[Spike00513]

This is the problem with the plastic arms on the variable intake breaking (I don't know what the hell that wire is supposed to do--I got it like this)


The solution:
http://www.gruvenparts.com/billet-au...ake-link-arms/

I've got a set for sale. Hopefully this plug isn't too shameless