yes the car ran perfect and started well before the flex plate broke. so i open the valve covers and you are right. both my tensioners need to be replaced, drivers side is spongy won't hold and has rail marks on plastic part of tensioner. passenger side holds pressure but also has rail marks. 152,000 miles and they look original. time too change those puppies. will save up to get two new ones and swap them out. ill keep my fingers crossed thats finally it. if not it will be I'm not using the right code to unlock the apr stage3 anti theft code. i noticed engine and epc light don't blink after the last digit is entered. i might need to have my ecu re-flashed. i tried using another ecu b code but didn't work. mines a code j. i even went down the apr code list one by one to see which one would unlock it and none of them did. man worse case its my ecu. ill keep you posted. thanx for suggestion Dallanar32. i had the same problem on my Passat with the tcm. cost me $1,200 and car ran like a champ after that.

 

Glad I could help, I will probably save up and put all new electronics in mine as well. I have had them out of the car for quite some time, to remove moisture from them. If they dont work properly upon install, I will just have to buy new ones. Hopefully your issue will be solved with just the tensioners.