I have 96 A4 1.8L T w/ auto trans that has had a problem for the last few months. Luckily I have a new mustang and use the A4 as a daily driver, but because of that reason I've put off getting the Audi fixed. It's in great shape but it all of a sudden it started having issues. I know I do need to get the ignition switch changed due to the recall but I don't think that is the issue. The car will turn over and start up but it won't stay idle. If I don't give it gas it'll only run for about 2-3 seconds before it dies. The only way I could get the car to move was to hold the brake down and give it the gas while at the same put it into drive or reverse. When it gets going it makes some somewhat loud puttering/pipping noises. If I come to a stop sign and have to slow down it'll just die again. I'm clueless when it comes to mechanical problems and I live no where near a dealer to get it checked out at and there is no way I could drive it 50 miles to the closest one. Any suggestions?

 

...check engine light has been on too during this time if that makes a difference.

 

You need to get the fault codes man, no one in the world is phsychic. I would check under the hood for any large vaccum leaks (hissing noise when engine is running) other than that we can't help you.

 

Sorry I know nothing about fault codes, and the closest dealer is over an hour away and there is no way it is driveable for that distance. I don't know how to check for vacuum leaks, but when I did take it around the block I thought the turbo was hissing louder than normal....so maybe it wasn't the turbo.

 

Try autozone who will read your codes for free. Check all the vacuum lines and air connections for integrity and tightness.

 

like many have already stated, the best thing to do is get your car scanned. you can basically pinpoint the problem directly once you find out what code you're throwing. hopefully its a simple fix. best of luck

 

Everyone keeps telling me about having it scanned and something about codes....can any garage do this? The closest audi dealer near me is over an hour away and the car isn't drivable for long distance....I can get it across town if I'm lucky.

 

As stated above, just go to autozone, check out the OBDII reader, scan the codes right there in the parking lot, write down what comes up on the screen, clear the codes, return the reader. It's pretty easy after you do it the first time. If you're totally lost the guys behind the counter can help you out. Nobody here can efficientlyhelp you untilthey know what the car is saying is wrong with itself.