a4 engine management light new cat converter? Lamber / Lambda sensors?

[TimBowling]

Hi

I have a 2001 A4 2.0SE manual Petrol Saloon with 95,000 miles on the clock. The engine management light came on in Oct 06 and Audi said "1 fault logged for catalyst system bank 1, efficiency below threshold. Erase faut and road tested - fault did not return". Then in May 07, the light came on, and they looked again, this time stating new Catalytic converter required. The light cleared again without any work, and subsequently passed an MOT 2 months ago. The light is back again. Audi maintain the Cat has gone, yet when I went to the local Formula 1 garage, they said no obvious evidence the cat had gone, and more likely to be the Lamber / Lambda sensors. Audi want £672 for the new CAT, which does not even guaratnee fixing, as it could just be the sensors (I say "just" - these are supposed to be about £150 each, and there are 2 of them".

I want to change the car soon, and thus the prospect of £672 or even more does not appeal.

Any suggestions? Can the light be easily de-activated, so I can trade the car in without the light showing? How can I tell what needs replacing?

Thanks for any help!!!

Tim

[nickynibbles]

Get vagcom and test it for yourself, its the only way to be sure. That does seem very very expensive though for a single cat to be replaced! I had the twin main cats replaced on my 3.0 V6 earlier this year for just over £700, thankfully under warranty! Your quoted price seems harsh for a single cat! Other options if this does turn out to be the problem is an aftermarket cat, or find your local custom build exhaust centre (eg Powerflow or Top Gear) who will be able to install a replacement for you. A Vagcom set up will cost you less than £20, well worth getting and check the car out for yourself.

[Browmax]

Tim

I am right there with you! I took my A4 into the Audi garage in Reading in July for a service/MOT and to switch the EMS light off after it came on in January 2007 only one month after I previously had it in to put the light out.

It has since been back in 8 (yes, 8) times! Each time they say it is something else, and I need to pay them to get it fixed etc etc but after being 'fixed' the light comes on a few days later. At first I did keep paying them, but then started refusing to pay unless they could guarantee they had solved the problem, which for a while they did. My car is now back in with Audi following every sensor under the sun being changed and all sorts of breather pipes replaced etc. The whole lot has cost me over £1,200 since July. This time they have said it is the Cat, but again have said that they cannot be 100% sure so also need to change some brake pump (?) at a total cost of £980. I have told them to forget it and that I would rather drive it with the light on. However, I would also like to know how I can manually disable it (would rather take my chances that spend any more £ needlessly so it would seem).

Certainly don't believe a word they say. If you get a new cat, take it somewhere else................like the moon, as that would still be cheaper no doubt.