disconnect the ground lead from the battery and turn all auxiliary things on this will deplete the ECU memory, 20 mins is the norm but over night will be better

 

Don't forget to make sure you have your radio SAFE code, you'll have to reset it when you power back up.

 

as well

 

Oooops, I just disconnect both terminals bridge them with a wrench, the CEL is gone in less than 1 minute. As for safe mode, I have disconnected my battery at least a dozen times to clear the CEL, once to change my MAF sensor, and when I was trying to see why my head unit was reading NO CDC. I had that head unit out of my car a half dozen times, even opened it up and found half a dozen free drink chips from a Philadelphia fire company floating around inside. Not once did the head unit go into safe mode. I had my code ready, but no need. I gotta tell you, it was a bit of a let down.

 

Just had the ground off for 20mins and it cleared the CEL. As for the safemode not needed. The turbo whinds up some but not what it used to a week ago and the "blow-off" doesn't seem to happen at all like it used to.

The one good outcome is that my head unit now displays the radio station name and song. It didn't used to and I didn't even know it was capable.

Can anyone lend some insight into the turbo issue? Should I just wait until I have the body work and headlight fixed and mention that my turbo doesn't seem to be 100%?

Any Audi TT enthusiasts live in MD - Baltimore/DC area that can test drive and tell me I'm not going insane?!?

 

Hey I just want to thank everyone for their help. You are all effing great!!

Turbo is back.. car runs great!! The solution - dirty/bad MAF.

Basically after clearing the CEL nothing changed in the performance so I went ahead and unhooked the MAF again and took it for a spin. Guess what happened?! All the power is back and my turbo is doing what its supposed to.

Driving around my neighborhood hooting and hollering with a huge grin on my face.

So tomorrow I'm either going to clean the MAF or buy and install a new one. Should be easy right? What are everyone's thoughts on cleaning vs. new.

Thanks again.

- Ryan, or as I'm also known, Possum.

 

I just went through the same thing, I only had my TT for 2 months now. I cleaned it and it worked well for a little, then it threw a series of codes at me. I bought one new off of ebay, it was like $135 shipped. It was at my door in less than 24 hours. Havent had a problem since. It is about a 5 minute job to change the MAF. I wouldnt change it unless it goes into limp mode or throws a CEL again.

 

Cleaning will sometimes work and it's not a bad or expensive thing to try first. But invariably there are times when the MAF has simply gone bad and must be replaced. No amount of cleaning will bring a bad MAF back to life.

 

Will it hurt my car if I drive with the MAF unplugged until I clean it or replace it with a new one?

 

It shouldn't, I recommend that you don't do it for long however.. Your mileage will suck and you will be out of emissions compliance.