Digifant ECU problem?

[swandrew]

Hi all, this is my first post, so please forgive if not done correctly.

I have had my beloved Audi Cabriolet, 1996, 2.0E, ABK, for many years and have never had a problem that has stumped me till now! I have a serious miss-fire/fuel starvation issue, once up to full working temperature, rendering the car un-drivable. The problem totally clears if I disconnect any major sensor (thus, I assume, putting the ECU into default mode). After much sensor trial and error, have come to the conclusion my ECU is playing around.
Any suggestions?
There are many rebuilders out there, does anyone recommend a VAG or even Digifant specialist?

Thanks
Stuart

[SammoVWT]

Hello there, welcome. I would recommend that you need to get your car scanned for a fault. It sounds like its a sensor that has failed and when you unplug it it puts the car into 'default' i.e. get you home mode. Which is not intended for long periods of time. Besides - dont go unplugging things willy nilly. You can short out components and cause more damage if you arent careful and do this while the car is running. Plus generate a multitude of fake fault codes so now whoever scans it needs to clear them, then run the car in the hope the fault code comes back to scan again. If it comes back clean on the scan after some attempts, you may have to wait until it acts up again until it registers the fault on the ECU.

[fourringsrus]

Had similar things with a 5 pot coupe years ago, type in the part numbers on your ecu and see who has suitable item to swap in, thats what we did.
With that car there were two ecu units, one for fuel and ignition against the side of the n-s passengers footwell and the other unit more by his toes under/behind the heater /fan area

[swandrew]

Update and warning to all out there. Problem, after 3 weeks heartache, proved to be failed Lambda sensor. Last thing checked as it was only 2 yrs old and <20k miles. Moral of tale, if you like the car, don't buy Chinese, get Bosch (the people who invented the thing!). Might be twice as much but worth it in the long run.

[lrgcad]

Hi, it sounds a bit like mine when it went wrong, it was the idle control valve in the end, only when warm as well. I did also change the air box part that allows the correct amount of air in, don't recall it's technical name.