I am new to this forum and have a question that I have not been able to find out. I have a 2000 A4 2.8Q that has a check engine light. It shows up as the catalytic converter bank 1. I was told that it probably just needs a reflash to the ecu. When I went to the dealer they said that they could reflash it but the ecu might get fried in the process which would obviously lead to replacing the ecu. It is money that I really don't want to spend on the car. I am trying to find out if anyone else has had any experiences with this issue and what they did to resolve it. My other alternative might just be to buy a new A5 that I've been looking into ordering. Any help would be great help. Thank you in advance for anything.

 

Re-flashing the ECM will only erase any aftermarket programming, its not possible to"FRY" the ECM.

 

I know that it won't actually fry the ecm but the tech said that sometimes while updating, the ecm will take so long and just freeze, making it unusable and therefore having to be replaced. I have no aftermarket programming on it so i'm not worried about that. I'm just worried about having to replace that and possibly the cats as well. Have you ever heard of it freezing up like some actual cpu's do like the one i'm writing on...hehe

 

I haven't heard of that, but it doesn't mean it's not possible. If it's a bad cat, check out www.ecstuning.com - they sell a universal cat for around $100 or so (I'm pretty sure it's them that has it at that price). I'd replace the cat if it's going out, but if you're in the position to buy a new 5, you could probably do that AND get the cat and have a backup Audi in the driveway