Audi A4 1996 2.6 V6 Not starting..no power at all

[jimbo1796]

Driving fine and parked up 2 days ago. Went to start it yesterday and dead as a dodo not even a dash light. Worryingly the speedo was showing around 20mph and the revcounter was sitting up a couple of notches (possible power surge before it died????) On closer inspection I found a large puddle of water around the bulkhead under the bonnet around 3-4 inches of water and that one fuse had blown (the purple E fuse with 3amp / 32V, I think it is for the lights) I disconnected the battery and removed all the water with a drinks bottle and sponge. Also changed the blown fuse and have still had absolutely nothing out of it, the drivers door opens and locks manually. The battery seems fine and has fluid in every cell. Help!!! Could it be one of the bigger block fuses further inside the dash or is it destined for the graveyard??? Got someone coming soon to try jump leads.

[jimbo1796]

Is there such a thing as a reset / trip switch on this model:confused: It is the 2.6 V6 SE Auto

[yaman]

A short or spike in the ECU can make your instruments
and immobilizer go hi-wire.

Check it for dampness, and try drying it out.

Regards
Jim

[jimbo1796]

It started first time with a jump start but is not ticking over properly. Not actually cutting out but spluttering and coughing at low revs. Took it out for a run earlier and it seems to run fine when sinking the throttle, kickdown etc is fine but just not liking low speeds and idling at the traffic lights. I have had it on the computer before when it was doing this (although nowhere near as bad as this time) the computer showed no fault, someone has suggested having the throttle body cleaned??? Is this an easy DIY task or specialist only. I have changed the plugs less than 2 months ago to rule that out as well

[yaman]

When its dark, see if there's any arcing of the spark-plug leads.

Regards
Jim

[jimbo1796]

Thanks yaman will have a look and feedback. When I changed the plugs there were a couple of leads showing wear and splits so I electrical taped them up but you could be right. Are sets of leads on ebay any good or better to go for Audi replacements if this is the problem???

[yaman]

Its not what you would call a "precision engineered component" LOL,
So the e-Bay leads should be fine, using care and judgement of product
and seller.

Regards
Jim

[Zenerdiode]

...I found a large puddle of water around the bulkhead under the bonnet around 3-4 inches of water...

I hope you've corrected this, or you will have problems again. The plenum chamber has two drains that are notorious for blocking on the B5 cars. One is under the brake servo, the other near or under the battery. They are a rubber bellows designed so they will let water drain one way, but when your ventilation is on will not pull air from the engine compartment back into the plenum area.

Find the bellows and from the plenum side, push your fingers through or a screwdriver handle or something, then flush through with water.

These blocked drains cause many problems from soggy carpets, permanent misting in the cabin to ECU and other electrical problems. There was literally GALLONS of water in mine 'till I poked through with my finger.

[jimbo1796]

Thanks. I pushed the one under the battery through with a screwdriver and it was properly clogged up with mud, leaves, silt etc. I didn't know about the other one under the servo, I have just checked after a night of rain and it doesn't seem to be filling up again. Just misfiring now at low revs and not wanting to idle, but the computer is over-riding it and keeping it from stalling. Do you think it is the ECU from the flooding or could it be the throttle body needing cleaned? It wasn't running great before the flooding either. It is now in my mind down to one of 3 items. (1) The ECU either needs repaired or replaced. (2) The throttle body needs cleaned out. (3) A new set of leads. I changed the plugs recently for new NGKs but not the leads. I did a night time visual check and there was no arcs or sparks visible so I am theoretically ruling out number 3 and will do this last. Tossing a coin now as to whether to do 1 or 2 first???? I have also been told it could be the Air flow meter, the fuel ECU, or even to put some fuel injector additive in the tank (Redex or something similar) Any suggestions that I can do myself would be appreciated before spending big money on repairs and replacement. Is the throttle body simple to locate and remove so I can clean it myself?