Paper or Plastic? and other DIY service issues
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 104
Paper or Plastic? and other DIY service issues
Greetings all,
Just got a '99 A4 1.8T Quattro Triptronic, w/ 88K miles. My first Audi.
It came from an auction, and I don’t have any service history.
The owners manual, supplement, sound system, maintenance, etc books are here in the glove box. No owner or dealer clues though. Any idea where can I learn to decode the option codes listed on the vehicle ID label?
My carfax expired, but if anyone could run the vin for me I would be curiousl to see it. And yes, I understand how much better that question would have been before cash changed hands. But ya know, if we were all rational, all the time, we'd all be driving *insert your favorite generic motorcar here*. Anyway the idea of an AWD turbo has always intrigued me, and well, here I am.
Mechanically everything seems to light up and work. (I did think to drive it before buying.)
The turbo feels like it is working right.
It tracks true on the highway and stops straight too.
The body is clean and straight and shows no signs of work.
But I do have some troubles, which I list below. I would like to tackle as much as I can myself. (more time than $ right now)
That brings me to my main "Paper or Plastic" question.
Ive use the Bentley paper service manuals for other rides, an '85 S**b 900Turbo (pardon my Sweedish), "92 Corrado SLC VR6. And I've use a Haynes book for a '95 GMC Suburban, but the lure of the $10-20 plastic CDs peddled on Ebay are tempting. Can anyone vouch for any of the CD options? Are they more like Haynes or more like Bentley? What kind of searches can you do with the CDs? Are the diagrams clear originals, or faded scans? Thanks in andvance for any insight you can offer.
Now for my list of troubles.
First, since I don't know if the timing chain/belt has been replace, that seems like it needs to be a priority. I see some folks here on the forum have pulled that off themselves. I'll have to give that DIY project a little more thought before diving in, but it sounds tempting. I checked the vin with the local dealers to see if it had already been done, but they've never seen this pup before. Must be a car from out of town. Anyone have any tips on how to locating the original dealer?
One rear side power window needs tape to keep it from floping down into the door. With some manual assistance, the motor will push it up. I have heard it may be a regulator. Any support here for that diagnosis? Has anyone here fixed one?
More bad news:
The Check Engine Light is on, but there are no obvious symptoms of a problem. From reading this forum, it seems the list of possibilities is pretty long. It will be $50 bucks for the local independent Audi/VW shop to hook it up and tell me whats wrong. They're a good bunch, I usually take anything there that I can't do and doesn't require an authorized dealer.
QUESTION: Whats the deal on getting VAG-COM software and connector? I see usb connectors on Ebay for $50 with “free” software downloads, but the Ross-Tech site has a license for $99, or a kit with connector for $2xx. Whats the difference between the “free” and $99 software? Ross-Tech's web site says they suppor their connectors. Does that mean they don't support their software if you use some third party connector?
The car included just one remote with the fold out key.
No Valet key, no master key with a light, no emergency key or tag with the key number.
I see replacement key blanks and remotes on ebay.
I see the FAQ here on the forum about programing the remote. It that all there is to it? Buy a remote, stand on your head, touch your nose, rub your stomach and la-di-da its programed? (see the faq, for the acutal programing steps.)
A used car dealer I met said he could get a key made for $100. Ouch, that stings! What would an authorized dealer charge for a couple master keys and a valet? Can they get me my key code for free?
If I got a key blank on Ebay, how would I get it cut? Can my "original" be copied, or do I need the key code?
Are all blanks "smart" I see in the manual that the car keeps track of heat/ac settings by which key is used. How do they teach the keys to do that?
What are some other sources for replacement parts? Somewhere in-between the wild-west of Ebay and the "if you bought an Audi, you can afford it" prices at the dealers?
Thanks, I have already learned a lot from checking out the existing posts. Appologies if I missed answers to these questions, or said anything really stupid.
Just got a '99 A4 1.8T Quattro Triptronic, w/ 88K miles. My first Audi.
It came from an auction, and I don’t have any service history.
The owners manual, supplement, sound system, maintenance, etc books are here in the glove box. No owner or dealer clues though. Any idea where can I learn to decode the option codes listed on the vehicle ID label?
My carfax expired, but if anyone could run the vin for me I would be curiousl to see it. And yes, I understand how much better that question would have been before cash changed hands. But ya know, if we were all rational, all the time, we'd all be driving *insert your favorite generic motorcar here*. Anyway the idea of an AWD turbo has always intrigued me, and well, here I am.
Mechanically everything seems to light up and work. (I did think to drive it before buying.)
The turbo feels like it is working right.
It tracks true on the highway and stops straight too.
The body is clean and straight and shows no signs of work.
But I do have some troubles, which I list below. I would like to tackle as much as I can myself. (more time than $ right now)
That brings me to my main "Paper or Plastic" question.
Ive use the Bentley paper service manuals for other rides, an '85 S**b 900Turbo (pardon my Sweedish), "92 Corrado SLC VR6. And I've use a Haynes book for a '95 GMC Suburban, but the lure of the $10-20 plastic CDs peddled on Ebay are tempting. Can anyone vouch for any of the CD options? Are they more like Haynes or more like Bentley? What kind of searches can you do with the CDs? Are the diagrams clear originals, or faded scans? Thanks in andvance for any insight you can offer.
Now for my list of troubles.
First, since I don't know if the timing chain/belt has been replace, that seems like it needs to be a priority. I see some folks here on the forum have pulled that off themselves. I'll have to give that DIY project a little more thought before diving in, but it sounds tempting. I checked the vin with the local dealers to see if it had already been done, but they've never seen this pup before. Must be a car from out of town. Anyone have any tips on how to locating the original dealer?
One rear side power window needs tape to keep it from floping down into the door. With some manual assistance, the motor will push it up. I have heard it may be a regulator. Any support here for that diagnosis? Has anyone here fixed one?
More bad news:
The Check Engine Light is on, but there are no obvious symptoms of a problem. From reading this forum, it seems the list of possibilities is pretty long. It will be $50 bucks for the local independent Audi/VW shop to hook it up and tell me whats wrong. They're a good bunch, I usually take anything there that I can't do and doesn't require an authorized dealer.
QUESTION: Whats the deal on getting VAG-COM software and connector? I see usb connectors on Ebay for $50 with “free” software downloads, but the Ross-Tech site has a license for $99, or a kit with connector for $2xx. Whats the difference between the “free” and $99 software? Ross-Tech's web site says they suppor their connectors. Does that mean they don't support their software if you use some third party connector?
The car included just one remote with the fold out key.
No Valet key, no master key with a light, no emergency key or tag with the key number.
I see replacement key blanks and remotes on ebay.
I see the FAQ here on the forum about programing the remote. It that all there is to it? Buy a remote, stand on your head, touch your nose, rub your stomach and la-di-da its programed? (see the faq, for the acutal programing steps.)
A used car dealer I met said he could get a key made for $100. Ouch, that stings! What would an authorized dealer charge for a couple master keys and a valet? Can they get me my key code for free?
If I got a key blank on Ebay, how would I get it cut? Can my "original" be copied, or do I need the key code?
Are all blanks "smart" I see in the manual that the car keeps track of heat/ac settings by which key is used. How do they teach the keys to do that?
What are some other sources for replacement parts? Somewhere in-between the wild-west of Ebay and the "if you bought an Audi, you can afford it" prices at the dealers?
Thanks, I have already learned a lot from checking out the existing posts. Appologies if I missed answers to these questions, or said anything really stupid.
Site Moderator
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,356
From: Jersey (orig. NorCal)
RE: Paper or Plastic? and other DIY service issues
Welcome to the forum!
Definately take your car to a garage to see if the timing belt has been changed. If you pay to get it changed it waill cost anywhere between $600-$1000, depending on where you live.
I actually have 2 keys with different codes. One is the original and another I got off Ebay. They both work. You could ask your local dealer what key code you need. They can also cut the key for you using your original. Depending on the dealer, key cutting is anywhere between $5-$35. Programming the keys is pretty easy. (key programming)
www.car-part.com works pretty well for finding used parts.
Definately take your car to a garage to see if the timing belt has been changed. If you pay to get it changed it waill cost anywhere between $600-$1000, depending on where you live.
I actually have 2 keys with different codes. One is the original and another I got off Ebay. They both work. You could ask your local dealer what key code you need. They can also cut the key for you using your original. Depending on the dealer, key cutting is anywhere between $5-$35. Programming the keys is pretty easy. (key programming)
www.car-part.com works pretty well for finding used parts.
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,684
From: Columbs, Ohio
RE: Paper or Plastic? and other DIY service issues
Definitly get the authentic Ross-tech Vag-com cable and software. The internet ones are buggy and still require Ross-tech's software. So if you have a problem ross-tech will give you no tech support at all. It's worth the extra money. It may be the best diagnosing tool out there.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,843
From:
RE: Paper or Plastic? and other DIY service issues
there is also a sticker in the trunk around the wheel well with all the codes on it from which options the vehicle has
BTW don't buy haynes get the bently it will be worth the extra money cd or book that is personal preference I personally like books so I can bring it out to the car while i'm working on it
BTW don't buy haynes get the bently it will be worth the extra money cd or book that is personal preference I personally like books so I can bring it out to the car while i'm working on it
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 104
RE: Paper or Plastic? and other DIY service issues
I totaly agree about Bentley being worth the difference. I don't want to dis Haynes, some of their stuff is really good, but other times stuff is just not there. Last Bentley book I got, I found used. Haven't seen any use ones for the A4 yet.