I'm working on a 2001 A4 Quattro with the 2.8 liter engine.

I am trying to narrow down a problem reported on the OBD-II scanner. One of the error codes reports an short circuit involving one of the sensors.

I have been cautioned about disconnecting the ECM.

The reason I want to disconnect the ECM is so that I can do a continuity test with my ohm meter to see which of the sensor hot wires are shorted out to ground. (I don't think I can do it when they are all connected to the ECM).

I have actually two questions.

1. Is it safe to pull the fuse on the ECM so that I can disconnect the harness wires?

2. If I disconnect the fuse and not the battery do I need to worry about the radio locking up in anti-theft mode?

Here is a link that indicates you can disconnect the ECM on another Audi model.

http://audittrs.wordpress.com/audi-t...weakers-guide/

Since I started editing this posting I actually got a reply online from a paid service from a certified Audi mechanic.

The answer is "yes" it is safe to disconnect it, and "no", if you pull the fuse you do not have to worry about the anti-theft radio locking up.