97 A6 2.8 quattro wont start.

dankman · 05-06-2012, 05:41 AM

My audi wagon had a bad heater core. I leaked coolant everywhere (I didn't really notice how bad it was). Anyway one day I was driving home from work and all of a sudden it started running really rough, and died at a light.
The starter engages but it will not start. Checked for spark and it has none off any coils, I cannot tell for sure if it's getting fuel. I'm guessing maybe the coolant fried something electrical...

P.S. I took the opportunity to fix the heater core (7-8 hour job) and that is all done and back together. Now its time to tackle the starting issue and I could use an Idea where to begin.

audiqv8 · 05-06-2012, 09:00 AM

Get a code reader and read any stored codes.

dankman · 05-06-2012, 12:03 PM

My code reader will only read codes when the engine is running. The battery has been disconnected too since the last time it ran. I'll try to get a code reader that will tell me something..

cerverappz · 05-07-2012, 10:35 PM

Passenger-side floor, under the carpet, right where the slope starts is the ECM location IIRC. Check to make sure coolant didn't get it.

dankman · 05-15-2012, 11:46 AM

Thank you cerverappz!!! I know coolant got to it. Just gave up and brought it to a shop today. There scanner would not communicate with the car. I'm starting to believe the problem is the ECM. Can this be replaced easily?? I know I can swap the parts but will changing ECMs cause problems??

audiqv8 · 05-15-2012, 12:06 PM

You/Audi will need to reprogram the immobiliser in order for the new ECU to recongize the new key code.

First check to see if the ECU is getting power. When you turn the ignition key, do you see the Check engine light come on? If not them check to see if the fuse and/or relay to supply power to the ECU is working.

dankman · 05-15-2012, 12:08 PM

This car (The C4 A6) will now start and fire after a little tlc. But the car does not idle, and it quickly dies. The car was flooded with coolant unfortunately. Anyway I can get a new ECM at the junkyard, but would the car still start if thats the problem?

audiqv8 · 05-15-2012, 12:49 PM

If the car starts, then the ECU is working. Can you keep the car running by giving it more gas? Replacing the ECU will require that you reprogram the immobilizer to recongize your current key. Since the engine does starts I would check all relays and verify that you didn't blow any fuse.

dankman · 05-15-2012, 12:54 PM

I can keep the car running using the gas pedal, but not easily, almost like it fluctuates around the rpms it wants. If I'm not giving it just the right amount of gas, it dies on me. I'm confused why the shop couldn't get any codes.. I really don't wanna bring it to the dealer but i feel like I don't have a choice

audiqv8 · 05-15-2012, 02:54 PM

Shop couldn't get any codes because their code reader can not read Audi/VW.
You can buy a code reader for Audi/VW or ask the shop if they have one.

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05-06-2012, 09:00 AM	#2
audiqv8 AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,041	Get a code reader and read any stored codes.

05-06-2012, 12:03 PM	#3
dankman AudiWorld Newcomer Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 8	My code reader will only read codes when the engine is running. The battery has been disconnected too since the last time it ran. I'll try to get a code reader that will tell me something..

05-07-2012, 10:35 PM	#4
cerverappz Audiworld Junior Member Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 13	Passenger-side floor, under the carpet, right where the slope starts is the ECM location IIRC. Check to make sure coolant didn't get it.

05-15-2012, 11:46 AM	#5
dankman AudiWorld Newcomer Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 8	Thank you cerverappz!!! I know coolant got to it. Just gave up and brought it to a shop today. There scanner would not communicate with the car. I'm starting to believe the problem is the ECM. Can this be replaced easily?? I know I can swap the parts but will changing ECMs cause problems??

05-15-2012, 12:06 PM	#6
audiqv8 AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,041	You/Audi will need to reprogram the immobiliser in order for the new ECU to recongize the new key code. First check to see if the ECU is getting power. When you turn the ignition key, do you see the Check engine light come on? If not them check to see if the fuse and/or relay to supply power to the ECU is working.

05-15-2012, 12:08 PM	#7
dankman AudiWorld Newcomer Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 8	This car (The C4 A6) will now start and fire after a little tlc. But the car does not idle, and it quickly dies. The car was flooded with coolant unfortunately. Anyway I can get a new ECM at the junkyard, but would the car still start if thats the problem?

05-15-2012, 12:49 PM	#8
audiqv8 AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,041	If the car starts, then the ECU is working. Can you keep the car running by giving it more gas? Replacing the ECU will require that you reprogram the immobilizer to recongize your current key. Since the engine does starts I would check all relays and verify that you didn't blow any fuse.

05-15-2012, 12:54 PM	#9
dankman AudiWorld Newcomer Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 8	I can keep the car running using the gas pedal, but not easily, almost like it fluctuates around the rpms it wants. If I'm not giving it just the right amount of gas, it dies on me. I'm confused why the shop couldn't get any codes.. I really don't wanna bring it to the dealer but i feel like I don't have a choice

05-15-2012, 02:54 PM	#10
audiqv8 AudiWorld Super User Garage is empty, add now Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,041	Shop couldn't get any codes because their code reader can not read Audi/VW. You can buy a code reader for Audi/VW or ask the shop if they have one.

05-15-2012, 02:54 PM
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