As I was leaving Chick-fl-a today I was backing up and there was a pop and a smell of burnt toast almost and the car just stalled. After that the car has been idling really low and rough, almost feels like a misfire, however I don't have a CEL light, a matter of fact it seems like I never get an CEL light, which leads me to wonder if someone removed my bulb.

Either way, I checked the coilpacks and all and everything seems ok, am at a loss on what to do.

 

Scan your codes anyway. Sometimes things don't throw a light immediately, if at all, even when there is a code. You might have a code "pending" that can still be read. And I would check your air intake tubing and vacuum hoses (particularly the bigger ones since this is a major problem) as well as your diverter valve, etc.

 

In the army, we have a phrase... "Pop, no kick." Of course, that's in regards to shooting an M4, not driving an A4. But in either case, it's not a good thing. With the M4, it means the next time you pull the trigger, your rifle will probably explode in your face. It might not be as extreme with your A4, but you definitely want to try and figure out your problem before something explodes.

+1 on scanning for codes. Also, +1 on a burnt out, or removed CEL bulb. Where did the pop come from? I mean, did it sound like a misfire, or was it something else from under the hood? I know it's hard to discribe something that just happens real fast and unexpected. But, the rough idle would lead me to believe either your coil packs or a vacuum leak. Hard telling, not knowing.

How loud was the pop? The smell of something burnt leads me to believe a blown fuse or possibly a relay, or some other electrical part burnt out.

I know, not much help, but I hope it gives you a few ideas to look into, and maybe we (the collective experience and knowledge held within the Forums) can figure this problem out...

 

Not a very loud pop, but like a pop you might hear in your intake if it backfired. I should point out the car feels like it's driving normally, but take the clutch out and idle and it's rough and bouncing up and down. Almost like a misfire.

I have one coil pack that is smoke black. I checked the hoses earlier, I dunno how to check the DV. And I don't have access to a vag com.

 

Any big box auto parts store (i.e. Autozone) will scan your codes for free. Write them down and post them.

 

Sounds like an air leak. Probably a fairly large one.

 

I had the same thing going on when the vacuum line from the intake mani to the DV came off. Although it would only be rough when i had the AC on at a stop and when i put it in neutral (auto) it would go away or be very slight.

 

Odd, because mine was even worse when I turned the A/C on.

 

I really need some more help here folks because I'm not finding it anywhere else.

I have checked every line, everything looks and appears hooked up and intach. It really feels like a misfire or problem with the ignition.

The car's idle bounces up and down and then slowly smooths but it's idling under a grand, under 2K it really stumbles. If I drive it and go over 2K the car feels fine, no loss of power. Driving around slow it really feels like a misfire.

Hey I even unplugged one of my coil packs and I still didn't get a light on the dash, wtf?

 

Thats what i said. The idle got worse when i turned on the AC.