PLEASE READ ALL THIS - IT'S LONG BUT I NEED SOME SUGGESTIONS - THANKS
Today it was like 5 degrees (f) and I was late so i had to book it down the highway at like 85mph for about 25 minutes straight. I have a 1996 A4 Quattro 2.8L 12v. Yes the 2.8 - a piece of crap but it's my car and I need it to survive. Anyways, I got off the highway and all was good, but when I pulled to the next stop light about 2 miles down the road, I stopped and my engine started to rev to 1500 rpms and it was a very rough idle. It then after about 3 or 4 seconds went down to about 200 - 300 rpms and it felt like it was gonna stall - then the Check Engine Light came on. I drove carefully to work and it was still idling about 300 rpms. I shut if off let it sit and turned it back on and it seems to idle ok but the engine light is still on. WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED?? ALSO! it was shifting REALLY hard after the first incident. Every time I released the clutch pedal, It seemed to catch really quick. There was no smooth transition between the gears. I'm bringin it to the shop but was hoping somebody might have some suggestions before I do. Sorry for long post but I need the help. Thanks

 

Well if you want to save some money I can help you fix the problem yourself. I would take it to autozone or a similar place and have it scanned for the codes for free. I had a similar problem and it turned out to be bad O2 sensors. A bad MAF sensor can also cause erradic idling and a CEL. and the 12V engine is not a piece of crap, while underpowered you have the most reliable engine The B5 A4 has seen.

 

I am taking it to a local shop today. They are gonna charge 20 bucks to check the light and find the source of the problem. When I called my engine a piece of crap - i was referring to the power - not reliability. You are right, it is reliable and smooth. I just wish i can add a supercharger or something - but right now i just need it to run otherwise i'm screwed. Thanks

 

Well you aren't in that bad of shape right now. Let us know what specific code the mechanic pulls. Please ask him for it.

 

Do you know why it was shifing really hard???

 

Not sure, the problem doesn't sound related.

 

The shop that pulled my codes said it was an "Aspiration Leak" or something. He said it was code 1516 BUT that is not the correct code. I asked him to give me the code after he turned off his diagnostic computer so he said he "THINKS" its the code. I checked code 1516 in my Chilton book and it has nothing to do with aspiration. So I'm assuming it is a leaky vacuum tube. He reset it and I drove about 5 miles and the light hasn't come back on yet. Any suggestions???

 

yeah that codes doesnt seem right, but a vacuum leak will cause the car to shudder.

 

Jestnomen, Just in case you read this and not your e-mail - I sent you an email about a related problem. thanks

 

ygm