Help.. Lambda sensor? Coolant temperature sensor? Wiper earth etc

SmartE

SmartE

A2OC Donor
Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me with a problem I'm having with my little friend.. my 1.6 FSI?
I haven't had it long, it's done 100k and as far as I know it's been reasonably well looked after, serviced recently with filters, plugs etc. It was running a tiny little bit roughly, low on power and doing about 35mpg overall, but no engine light.
A week ago I took it for a trip out in the wet and when it was warm, the wipers stopped working, it wouldn't restart again straight away, showed willing but wouldn't run and just died, for about 10-15 minutes. After which time it started and was running ok, as before, but the wipers still weren't working and the engine light was now on.
I looked on this site and decided three things were likely, 1) The coolant temperature sensor was suspect, 2) I should check the earth strap behind the nsf headlamp, and 3) I should get it diagnosed.
So I had a really good look under the bonnet and added an earth strap between the wiper housing and the car body, as suggested on this site. Then I took it to a friendly dealer and the diagnosis showed about eight codes, which the dealer thought it best to delete, reset the engine light to off and see what develops.
Since this, the wipers now work, the car drives much, much better, there are no further warm start issues and the overall mpgs have gone up to 39.6
However, the engine light is back on and although the car feels much better it's not perfect, feeling a bit sluggish on the initial uptake, a bit strangled and the mpg is still low surely?
Another trip to the dealer and the latest fault codes, there were only two this time, were: P0139 & P1176 and he says I need a new Lambda sensor.
But as the "earthing" solution, that I read about on here, had such a dramatic effect on improving the car, I was wondering if anyone here has any more thoughts about getting my friend running perfectly?
Thanks,

Mike
 
I changed my lambda sensor following the EML light on and a fault code for the lambda sensor.
Since then (>1000km), the light hasn't come off again, but the fuel comsumption hasn't improved much (although just after the lambda sensor changed, the comsumption had improved for the first 100km; then it returned to "la little bit too much")
So be aware, the lambda fault code is maybe not an indication of the direct cause...
 
Hey, thank you, that's just the sort of thing I'm afraid of. If I change the Lambda sensor, and it makes no overall difference, EML light or not, then where does that leave me, option for the low mpgs and slight lack of low end power?
I know a 1.6 petrol won't have the low down torque of a turbo diesel, but it's feeling strangled.
Thanks for the feedback. Cheers
Mike
 
What's your friend like when cold, same symptoms? I only experience sluggish and strangled behaviour when at temperature.
 
Your little friend has the first ever incarnation of the FSi engine and as such, it was almost work in progress when it was released.

It's a pity that you don't know the error codes as I'd put money on one of them being the inlet manifold flap throwing up a fault - A2 FSi engines are renowned for this and it's something that even Audi can't always fix.

That mpg isn't terrible for the FSi, in the recent cold weather, you'll always see less than you could do, as the engine can't perform at its ultimate efficiency.

If you can, get the fault code for us and more assistance can then be given when we,re more aware of the issue.
 
Hi,

This is a bit like clutching at straws, but on my 1.6 FSI I was a bit disappointed in the acceleration and I was used to Diesel A2s.

But two things vastly improved the power, it is probably not the same problem as yours, definitely not if you have engine error codes.

Firstly the car came with a full tank and when I refilled with super unleaded that helped a LOT, then I used a top quality injection system additive (Wynns in my case, but any DECENT one will do)

That REALLY transformed the car and it is now a little rocket!!!

As I say, this probably won't help you much but it is a cheap way to at least try and get some of the power back if it is just the wrong grade of fuel and/or dirty injectors?
After the first tankful was run through it the power returned

Steve B
 
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Would a 'Throttle Body Clean' help?

I think mines been done before in it's time, as a bolt is missing, (the one that's in front of the unit, running horizontal) and one of the clips wasn't quite flush.
 
sinlessUK said:
What's your friend like when cold, same symptoms? I only experience sluggish and strangled behaviour when at temperature.
Click to expand...

They were the same symptoms as my FSI until used the injector cleaner and switched to Super Unleaded

Ran MUCH better when cold, now runs well at all temps!

Steve B
 
Right, thank you all very much for this advice. So just going over it so far..
and I have been recently filling up with the best Shell superdupa petrol stuff.
So if I've described the symptoms correctly, (and if the codes P0139 and P1176 don't mean anything), it definitely runs better warm than cold, the mpgs are ok, I've got a lovely car that feels nice, goes ok if I boot it, but I don't like doing that, feels a little strangled, "sometimes", not only but especially if going up hill at any less than about 3000 revs and the engine light is on. The dealer said (because of the codes) it needs a Lambda sensor.
Now, apart from them, am I right that I probably only need to check the inlet manifold flap and the injectors?

Cheers, Mike
 
My fuel comsumption isn't finally that bad (I can manage easily over 40 MPG on some trips), the EML light hasn't come back (that's now 1800km after the lambda sensor change), so is everything OK ? No, there's still one strange behaviour. Sometimes, when engine at full charge for a "long" time (most of the time uphill), I feel clearly the engine loosing one third (?) of its power suddenly. Then, it goes back to normal some time after, when relieved...
 
Hello,

I have similar problems with my A2 1.2 2001. Recently changed the filters, distribution set, But still the knocking continues and the fuel consumption is going through the roof!

Error codes are as below:

Error code 16555 , 17604, 17589

Any support and suggestions will be of great help.

Cheers
RM

Skipton01 said:
Your little friend has the first ever incarnation of the FSi engine and as such, it was almost work in progress when it was released.

It's a pity that you don't know the error codes as I'd put money on one of them being the inlet manifold flap throwing up a fault - A2 FSi engines are renowned for this and it's something that even Audi can't always fix.

That mpg isn't terrible for the FSi, in the recent cold weather, you'll always see less than you could do, as the engine can't perform at its ultimate efficiency.

If you can, get the fault code for us and more assistance can then be given when we,re more aware of the issue.
Click to expand...
 
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