problems with my 1.9dti

[solorider]

i have just bought a 1996 a4 1.9tdi 90bhp model,im having a few problems with the car.as far as i can see there is no engine management light coming on when i first turn on the ignition

the first is the temp gauge does not work,could this be a sensor fault or something more expensive? i dont have any starting or running problems,which and where is the water temp sensor? i have found three single pole sensors on the back of the cylinder head on an housing,i have also found a blue plug that is plugged into nothing.this plug is near the rear of the engine bay on the centre line of the car,i cannot find anything that the plug could go into

the second is if i leave the ignition switched on without starting the engine the oil and water lights flash,does this indicate a problem? once today the water light came on for a few seconds,the engine was cold and hasnt came on again.the oil light does not come on when the engine is going

third the abs does not work,the light on the dash does not come on either so either a fuse has been removed or the bulb has been removed,is there any common problems that stop the abs working other than sensors

fourth problem is you cannot turn the heater control knob (non air con) to make the air go to the screen,is there anything that can do this,or is it just a case of adjusting the cable

sorry about so many problems and questions but i need to get the problems sorted as i need to make sure this car is reliable so any answers would be appreciated

[solorider]

anyone help? as i had another problem in that the car wouldnt start today,it would try to but cutout,i left the ignition on and there was a buzzing from the fuel pump,i turned off the ignition and retried and the car started,i dont have a visible management light either

[solorider]

anyone??? i need to get this car fixed asap,i think i have made a big mistake buying this car

[solorider]

does anyone know a site than answer my queastions,if i had a vauxhall or citroen there are forums that answer usualy in a couple of hours,at this rate i might actualy keep the citroen that i also have.sorry but this car is starting to p*** me off

[jkay2008]

Sorry no-one has answered you.
Firstly it appears that there has indeed been some tampering with your dash lights, unless there is a plug/connection loose behind your clocks.
You should really get someone with Vag-Com to scan your ecu for faults.

As for your ABS light, does it light up when you turn your ignition on ? Have you definately got ABS ? If so, it is an MOT failure if the light does not come on with your ignition then go out.

You really need a scan with Vag-Com or a decent scanner to check all this.

[solorider]

Sorry no-one has answered you.
Firstly it appears that there has indeed been some tampering with your dash lights, unless there is a plug/connection loose behind your clocks.
You should really get someone with Vag-Com to scan your ecu for faults.

As for your ABS light, does it light up when you turn your ignition on ? Have you definately got ABS ? If so, it is an MOT failure if the light does not come on with your ignition then go out.

You really need a scan with Vag-Com or a decent scanner to check all this.

the car does have abs and the light does not come on the dash,the car has only just passed an mot! tomorrow im going to remove the clocks and inspect the bulbs
the vag-com cables on ebay,do they work?

[jkay2008]

I am in the motor trade, and it is definately an MOT failure, I have just had one fail for the same thing ! Someone had taken the bulb out coz there was a fault.
The aftermarket cables are ok for a very limited functionality on an old version of vag-com. A lot of the functions are disabled. They are worth a try for a tenner tho.
I have the latest edition, official Ross-Tech cable, but they arent cheap. Saying that, they are worth every penny.

[solorider]

yes i know it is an mot faliure,problem is i cant prove that the abs wasnt working at the time of the mot,car passed mot on 7th april and still has just over a year to run,i could report the garage but it is my word against theirs so a waste of time,i have an idea what and why they have done it,i found a card with a name of a garage that does diognostics,may be worth giving them a ring to see if the last owner did use their services,i dont have an engine management light either

[solorider]

im realy annoyed that someone has gone to this much effort to sell the car,it has had a lot of money spent on it,has had several front arns changed,supposedly a new water pump,do you know what sensor does the temp gauge(there are 3 at the back),also with the ignition on,engine off are the oil and water temp lights supposed to flash?

[rob1380]

im realy annoyed that someone has gone to this much effort to sell the car,it has had a lot of money spent on it,has had several front arns changed,supposedly a new water pump,do you know what sensor does the temp gauge(there are 3 at the back),also with the ignition on,engine off are the oil and water temp lights supposed to flash?

Hi, ive got a 97 tdi and the lights on mine flash untill the car is started..... its normal.
The water temp gauge uses a sensor at the back of the engine which is fitted into one of the hoses.... the sensor is blue in colour. If you take the black plastic engine cover off you should be able to locate it.

Incidentally this sensor also supplies the ecu, telling it the coolant temp.... if this sensor fails it can cause poor running/starting.