I'm just assuming that when I try to cold start my B6 1.8T and it runs erratically it's due to a misfire. My car has 70,000 miles now and I don't know if the plugs or coil packs have ever been changed or not. It was a lease turn in when I bought it, so I hope some dealer maintenance was completed on it. I occassionally get a flashing check engine light if I let it run long enough when it is running rough. I typically just shut it off and start it again. Lately though its' been taking a few tries to get it to run smooth.

I'm guessing misfire of at least one cylinder and was just planning on changing all 4 plugs and coil packs. If I don't have a check engine light on when I take it to Autozone to have them run scan on it, will anything show up?

 

are you under warranty?? how long has the vehicle been sitting when it starts idling funny. i know mine hates sitting for long periods of time. details my man.

also, if those plugs and packs dont do the trick im guessing its the pcm. let us / me know.

 

It's doing it after sitting for a extended period. If it's warmed up, it seems to start easier. For instance, if I leave it parked in my garage for the night and go to start it in the morning it starts/runs rough, but if I drive it to the store and leave it for 5 minutes it most of the time starts right back up no problems at all. I'd say it starts/runs rough after sitting for a few hours and starts/runs fine if I drive it and it only sits for under 30 minutes or so.

I wish I was under warranty. All this stuff costs me the big bucks from the stealership. $162.48 for new coil pack and plugs.

 

well, my car sometimes does the same thing...idle's a lil funny for 5 mintues, but if it is given gas it goes away. i would suggest just do the plugs first. afterall, dont spend the big bucks first.

 

That's what I'm planning on doing. I hope that takes care of it. It's not a big deal I don't think. It's not like it's doing it while I'm driving. Just on cold starts.

 

Codes will be stored even if CEL isn't on. Get it scanned and post here.

 

Hey man, I'm having the exact same issue with my 2002 A4 1.8T quattro. The codes i get are:
P0420 - Catalyst efficiency below threshold
and random cylinder misfire codes.

Things i've noticed about the car, which i bought from a guy a while back:
Lots of weeping marks around injectors
coolant has been compromised as far as audi red stuff, doubt this is really it
Coil packs are not the ones that most people describe going bad

Let me know if you find anything out and i'll do the same.

 

i have a 2002 a4 quattro 3.0 that cut off never started back up i got it scanned and got 9 different codes catalyst, cylinder 4 5 andy 6 misfires, torque converter, o2 sensor, and some air vac codes what can it be that my car wont start