1.9tdi cuts out after five to 10 seconds

[stuntmanrob]

as mentioned in the header my 1999 (T), 110bhp avant is cutting out after running for 10 sec's, it revs fine and sounds fine then stops as if i have taken the key out.
it then takes 15 or so min's to get it started again, then does the same thing. i have made sure it is diesel in the tank, which it is. i have drained the fuel filter and primed up to the top of the injecters, with no joy.

before i pay for a diagnostics report i wondered if anybody had a clue to my problem.

thanks rob.

[STEWY L]

as mentioned in the header my 1999 (T), 110bhp avant is cutting out after running for 10 sec's, it revs fine and sounds fine then stops as if i have taken the key out.
it then takes 15 or so min's to get it started again, then does the same thing. i have made sure it is diesel in the tank, which it is. i have drained the fuel filter and primed up to the top of the injecters, with no joy.

before i pay for a diagnostics report i wondered if anybody had a clue to my problem.

thanks rob.
sounds like the immobiliser,just type that into the search facility,
good luck,
stewy.

[a8 tech]

make sure the slip ring connection for the data cable for the immobilser is secure.
Its mounted on the ignition barrel.
Over time the connection works free,but on generation 1/2 immobiliser the control unit is also prone to failure and the transponder in the key can crack.

[stuntmanrob]

well, the car started the other day and ran for 15 mins, then would not start again until the next day. i found it would start every morning without fail for anything from 3 to 15 mins. had a friend round to attach his snap-on obd 2 interface, his would not comunicate at all. his mate's on the other hand would and found the engine bay temp was giving a fault but he said this would not be the case for it acting they way it was, he cleared this fault and another, which would not give a description, it has now covered 25 miles without fault, even with the computer connected to the odb2, what gives, ghost in the machine or what?
i hope i can trust the car to travel to the lake's this week, guess i will be taking up AA coverage in case. thanks to all who replied. i did follow up on your comments but found all to be in order. thanks again rob.

[Crasher]

Engine coolant temperature sender, a very common fault so have it replaced first.

[stuntmanrob]

well where to start now, have replaced the crankshaft sensor and the engine coolant temp sensor , thought all was ok. kept close to home and did 35miles no problems, took the family out for the day and disaster struck again after a futher 30 miles, same problem, AA brought us home again, third time now in just over a week. best £72 quid i've spent on it.
any ideas welcome unless i have to set fire to it.

thanks rob

[stuntmanrob]

does anybody know if a remap of the ecu would cure my problem. or if it is the ecu at fault that another from a similar car would work?
any ideas?

[Crasher]

Did you ever have a fault code read done? I would suggest the ECU relay now. I would need your chassis number to help you further on that as it changed slightly in 99.

A remap will not help and the only time I have seen ECU problems on an A4 is after serious water build up problems due to a blocked plenum chamber.

[stuntmanrob]

strange thing happens when doing the fault read using the OBD socket, no faults are shown using vag-com when the engine is in its state of starting. but the moment it stops the conection between the OBD and the laptop is none existant, also have notice that the glow plug light does not come on anymore even when it has cooled down, untill i either i detach the battery or the ECU then it will start again for a few minuites and will connect to the computer. got to get it to a specialist today. i'm going crazy

[Crasher]

Sounds like the ECU relay is dropping out.

[stuntmanrob]

would this be the relay in the ECU box, and has the number 219 stamped on top. aslo found this on another site :-

It turned out to be the data communication wire to the ECU that was broken. This explains why the VAG-COM system could not find the engine ECU and the immobiliser could not release the ECU to start.

The break was at the connector between the engine harness and the interior loom.

i will start with the relay once i can find it. just got soaked

[Crasher]

I need you chassis number to know as it changed in 99.

[stuntmanrob]

the car is classed as a face lift model with an AFN engine if that helps. the car has been with teesside audi since friday, just got a call and they say they can not find anything wrong with it and it has ran fine for them during all tests, going to ask them if they will take it part ex now, getting sick of it now. if they cant tell me whats wrong then who the hell can?

[darknight007]

Hi,dunno if u fixed it,i had the same issue with my a3tdi,in the end it turned out to be fuel pump relay number 109 had burnt out, 14quid from delaer n fixed it!

[stuntmanrob]

yes had all the relays out even the ones in the ecu box, had it at audi, they just wanted a blank cheque so they could use man hours to find the fault because thier diagnostic was no better than the vag-com i bought for £15. anyway i have now fixed it the only way i knew how............................................... .................................................. ..................









i've bought an A6 and the A4 has gone. job done no more worries......

thanks to all who had taken time out and replyed with suggestions, i did take them onboard but it seems like i got a duff one which would not play the game.

regards rob.