Hi.

Hubby and me have a 99' A6, 2.5tdi quattro w/tiptronic. We love the drive of course.. But for quite some time now we've experienced something odd.

(Pardon my explaining here, I'm Norwegian and don't know all the correct English terms).

While driving, the engine sorta dies out on us. It just loses effect. Flooring theacc. pedaldoes nothing at all. Releasing the acc. pedal and then applying new usually fixes it, or the effect comes back after a few seconds on its own.

No warning symbols on the dash, and it's unpredictable in regards to when it happens. Could be at 30mph, or at 50mph (I think this is the max speed this has happened in).

We're about to send the car in for service, but would surely like input on what this could be, what's died on us and needs fixing? The chip? The dynamo?

Again, please pardon my lack of knowledge of English car terms.. And thanks in advance for any answers.

 

check for fuel leaks there could be air getting into the system or the fuel filter needs changing which should be done with the service,
does it start ok on the morning? if not glow plugs are suspect,
try putting a fuel cleaner in the gas tank it might just need a clean out ( slick 50 diesel fuel cleaner is good ) this is also good for cleaning sticky injectors,

dynamo = alternator
chip cant be altered as its inside the ECU

 

Thanks for the input avant80. It starts just fine in the morning, never a problem there. It runs fine at all other times, no cough or sputters. Just this kinda random loss of effect..