Ok. My 2.8 A4 has been having problems starting after not driving it for about 2-3 hours. Every morning no matter how cold it is it starts right up, but once I drive it it has problems. It only happens sometimes, but lately has gotten much worse. When the car does start and I think its ok, as soon as I go to pull away it will sputter and die. It seems to help if I give it a little gas and kind of keep tapping the gas pedal, but usually it will still die.
From searching it seems like it might be the coolant temp sensor, but the gauge seems to be fine. Whats the problem here? Thanks a lot.

 

You may have a clogged fuel filter.

 

I fit is the ect the gauge may read fine im pretty sure there is a seperate sensor for the gauge. The best way is to scan it and compare the temps.Dont rule out the mafs either. Scan it though

 

I scanned it when I first got my vagcom and the coolant temp sensor code was on, but I just cleared it and it has never came back on. When I cleared it the problem wasnt happening though. Once I clear it does it stay off forever, or will it come back on if it senses a problem again? Compare the temps with what? The gauge? Also what channel would I log?

 

log into measuring blocks and compare the ect temp to the temp on your gauge. It is a good chance the ect may be bad. Im not sure the channel off the top of my head.

 

How many degrees is the middle of the guage? Its just lines.

 

usaly 190

 

Its seems the ECT is definitely the problem. While I was vagging the car started to die and the ECT went from 60 degrees to negative 50 degrees. Thats obviously the problem here. Thanks a lot. Could this also have a bearing on my heater only working when I am in the higher rpms?

 

I am looking on ECS for the sensor and for the 1997 2.8 and there is a blue one and a green one. #1484 and #2832. Which one is it? Thanks a lot!!!

 

I went to the dealer and bought one. Install wasnt too bad. It seems to be working fine! Thanks a lot!