Poor idling A4 Avant 1.8 - Help please!

[jollyjacktar]

Hello Chaps,

I am looking for some advice wrt an Audi A4 Avant 1.8 1997 as this car has just begun to run poorly. The car does/will not idle and cuts out at lights/junctions etc and has generally become a nuisance to drive

I have taken it to a VAG specialist who have looked at the fault codes and have suggested, although with no certainty, that the Idle control is at fault. I am led to believe that this is situated within the Throttle control unit.

I am loathe to fork out (at this or any other time of the year!) around £360 for a component which may not cure the fault.

The car is a LPG conversion but shows the same symptoms on Gas or Petrol.

So my questions are:

1. Is this likely to be the problem?
2. How easy is it to change? I am a competent home mechanic!?!?
3. Is it possible to remove and clean?
4. Any other components that could cause this fault?
5. During the recent cold snap the car has been left on idle to warm it up - any relevance to fault above?
6. A cheaper place to source should you think it is the Throttle control unit
Kind regards and seasons greetings to you all

Thank in anticipation

Jack

[a4cam]

Have had the same problem with mine , It wouldnt idle when cold , then would pulse and hunt when you held the rev's . Cleaned my throttle body which mildly improved it , had my fault codes read , changed my temp sensor ( the one on the back of the head , 5 min job ) now it works perfectly ! Apparently a common fault with the 1.8 a4's

[jollyjacktar]

A4 Cam,

Thanks for the swift reply. I took the car on a long run yesterday, out of neccessity, and it was a pig to drive around traffic as you can appreciate.

After 4 hours the fault cleared and has not reoccurred today either - don't know what cleared/caused it and I'm not that bothered as long as it doesn't come back!!

Now just to fix the rear wiper.......

Happy Xmas

regards

Jack