Completely Dead/Engine Management - No Electrics Tdi90

Foghorn

Member
Chaps can anyone help out or advise a mechanic in South Manchester to help father in law?

Some background the car was taken out of the garage and left briefly. When he went to start it again the car was completely dead - nothing at all no clocks/power etc and the battery looked to have completely discharged for no reason. We tried another battery but no power to crank it although I think the clock display lit up and reset to factory time/date. No engine management light coming on.

It got towed to a garage for them to diagnose but they could not get their reader (I think generic) to 'communicate with the ECU' although they admit to having got it to turn over but not start. In short they couldn't fix it. The car is now back at home and a mobile mechanic has been and diagnosed a fuel filter problem which personally I cannot see it being this. We've now got electrics but it will not turn over/crank. Thinking an engine management issue?

Ideally I need someone who understands these cars to do a diagnostic and come up with what is the likley fault. It sound electrical to me rather than mechanical/fuel.

Can anyone help or offer up someone local who could fix it?

Thanks
 
I would recommend WOM automotive for South Manchester... not too far away. Please consider the good old starter motor earth strap first though.... if you remove the passenger side front headlamp and look towards the nearside chassis leg you will see a bolt which holds the earth strap to that chassis leg. The contact firs up over time and can prevent starting. Its normally simply a case of removing the bolt and cleaning up the lead and contact areas.

Cheers
Dave:)
 
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Cheers Dave - we'll take a look at the earth strap. There has been EM Light issues so I suspect there is an electrical issue somewhere?

WOM looks to be in Stoke. The car is in Baguley and cant be driven so I need a mobile outfit I think?
 
The EM light on my former 90 turned out to be the MAF sensor. This too is easily changed or cleaned with the appropriate fluid... it sits into the large silver metal pipe which runs across the top of the engine and is held in by only two screws. If it is faulty I would consider buying a genuine Audi one though as the replacement I bought from ebay also turned out to be duff.
 
Cheers Dave - we'll take a look at the earth strap. There has been EM Light issues so I suspect there is an electrical issue somewhere?

WOM looks to be in Stoke. The car is in Baguley and cant be driven so I need a mobile outfit I think?

I would investigate the suggested WOM route for specialised A2 expertise. Why not ring them and maybe they are willing to recover the car to their workshop. Failing that get a quote from a car recovery/transporter outfit. Either way added cost but better than engaging some generalised mobile mechanic who I bet won't now how to remove the bonnet!

Andy
 
there are also some large fuses under the passenger side hidden compartment, where the ECU's live, would be worth checking those as well
 
there are also some large fuses under the passenger side hidden compartment, where the ECU's live, would be worth checking those as well

Paul - we've checked them and they are OK.

It is now cranking over but it wont fire up. There was a suggestion of fuel problems but a new filter/accumulator has been fitted. Ever since he has had this car the glow plug light has only ever illuminated for less than 1 second before going out which we never really resolved as it would start but sometimes lumpy. Still thinking its electrical somewhere.

I'll try calling WOM tomorrow but also thinking VAG Technik in Eccles as they've done a timing belt before on it?
 
Ideally I need someone who understands these cars to do a diagnostic and come up with what is the likley fault. It sound electrical to me rather than mechanical/fuel.

Hi Foghorn,

I'm currently in the Midlands but live in Lancaster. I'll be heading home at some point this week and need to swing via Manchester anyway. As many will testify, I know the A2's electrics reasonably well, so if you'd like me to call at yours and take a look, I'm more than happy to. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to pin-point the issue as I'm not travelling with all the parts I'd need to do so, but I've got my diagnostics laptop with me.

Cheers,

Tom

PS: To anyone reading this who's waiting on a reply to a PM, please be patient; I will get back to you when I'm home and sat at a proper computer. Ta! :)
 
I've not used them yet so I can't recommend them but two Volkswagen Audi group independent specialists in Stockport - General Motors and the Audi Doctor. If the car can't be moved it might be worth ringing them and asking if they will travel the 7 miles to Baguley.

General Motors is booked to do my cam belt and other bits and pieces on Tuesday. They have Vag com and VCDS software and maybe they could travel to your father in law with it?

Websites:
http://www.genmoco.co.uk/

http://audidoctor.co.uk/
 
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I would take up Timmus (Tom's) offer, you will not find a better person to look at A2 electrical issues
 
Thanks chaps. The guy who did the original scan (ex Gilbert Lawton) is coming back tomorrow so I'll see what he can come up with. If no joy the Stockport garages are local.

Tom - Many thanks for your kind offer. Rather than put you out as the car might be towed to one of the above garages in the next few days so it wont tie in with your return trip.
 
Well it's official the ECU is knackered. Been given contact details of a guy in Northwich who repairs/diagnoses them so calling in tomorrow. Is it a simple option to buy another (secondhand) ECU and have it coded to the vehicle?
 
its easily done if youv the correct leads and software , try sarge as he has the leads and software and think he can fix bricked ECUs on his bench rig from what i remember him telling me the last time i see him
 
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