2008 A3 Automatic with 79K miles. I drive less than 15 miles per day. Recently, when I start the A3 in the morning the first time, check engine light will flash and car will rumble. But it drives fine with an occasional jerk that feels like gear shift on a manual. It's not jerking like a loss of power. After about 3-5 minutes, the rumbling will fade out and everything feels normal. Engine light now stays on. Since the car functions fine (mostly), I don't plan to go to a mechanic yet. Now I let the car idle in the morning for 3 minutes and then start driving. The same thing will happen in the afternoon when I leave work.

In summary the check engine light flashes for a few minutes only during a cold start. If I stop the car after driving for 10 minutes and restart it, there is no such problem. Interestingly my other car is an Audi TT 2008 with the same engine and is showing the same problem recently. I suspect this is a common problem.

Has anyone experience something like this and what do you suggest to fix this? I have a VAG and will try to pull codes this weekend. Thank you.

 

Is your automatic the "conventional" or the dual clutch automatic?

Either way, I'd suggest getting an OBD code reader and see what error codes your car is throwing - that will help narrow down the possibilities (from your description, it could be a LOT of things). You can pick up a reader for chump change, or even go to many auto parts stores and have the code(s) read for free.

FWIW, if it "rumbles" at idle, I'd suspect the motor mounts (my 2006 A3 sounded like it had a diesel up front before I changed them). If the mount is really bad, it can perhaps cause some of the other symptoms, but won't throw a code.

 

It's the dual clutch automatic. I read the code yesterday. I ordered 4 packs of spark plugs and coils. Will install them to see if that fix the problem. It will be bad if it's motor mounts. Right now, after idling for 5 minutes, the rumbling will go away. so i hope it's not motor mount, hoping just aging coils on a 10 year old car.

000768 random multiple cylinder misfire detected sporadic
000771 cylinder 3 misfire detected sporadic
000770 cylinder 2 misfire detected sporadic: value of resistance too great
000769 cylinder 1 misfire detected sporadic

 

An update, unfortunately I was able to only replace 2 of the 4 spark plug and coils. Cylinder one spark plug was stuck / seized up. Cylinder coil connector had a broken clip and I could not get it to detach. Replaced cylinder 3 and 4 but problem still there. Took it to the shop today and see what they can do. I just dont have the time and tools to go any further.

 

Did you ever get this resolved? I having a similar issue with my 2005 A4 Quattro 3.2l, and I have replace all 6 ignition coils and all new spark plugs.

 

Any update on this issue?

 

I had to replace some of the injectors! That solved the problem.

 

Ok, thanks. I appreciate the reply.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

That's good the problem is solved now.