Hello, I am new to this forum. I have searched similar problems but haven't found anything which exactly matches my issue - but apologies if this has already been addressed:

I drive a 2006 A3 2.0 TDi diesel tiptronic auto sportback. On a handful of occasions during the three years I have owned it there has been a sudden drop in power - I estimate to about 40% of normal. It will barely manage 60mph and even with the accelerator fully depressed accelerates worse than the Nissan Sunny automatic I rented on holiday!

On one or two of these occasions the problem has occurred after driving on cruise control for a prolonged period.

Each time in the past everything has been back to normal after stopping and switching off for a few minutes.

However, today the problem suddenly struck without the cruise control having been used immediately prior, and switching off for a few minutes has not sorted the problem this time.

Any ideas or advice most welcome...

 

We didn't get the 2006 A3 TDi on this side of the pond so most of us have never even seen one much less worked on one. That said, if your car has a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), then I'd be taking a look at that bugger first. Failing that I'd be looking at the intake system (screens and filters) for clogging.

 

Thanks Shipo for your suggestion.

Update: after being left overnight everything was back to normal this morning.

 

i had a loss of power issue that ended up being a faulty brake light switch -- stupid $30 part that caused so many issues