I have a 98 A4 2.8 Quattro and I recently had an issue where my car was off for about a month because I couldnt get it started. I changed the ignition switch and it turned out to be the starter. I replaced the starter and then hooked eveything back up. I went to start the car and the car started rough and then eventually cleaned out and was running well. If I hit the gas when in neutral the car will go up to about 2000 rpms then flutter there as if the throttle was adjusting at different lengths. When I drove the car it would rev up high and then shift like its timing was off. Would a standard TBA do this or do I need the vag? How does everyone do their TBA?...Ive seen a number of different ways.

 

here's how you do it. yes you need vagcom if you dont know how to hack a software than you need to pay for the full cable good luck ebay cable's dont have full feature's with out hacking

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/audiB5.html

 

Your car won't really get a TBA since it's a 98 and has a cable-driven throttle. Just disconnect the battery fit an hour, then hook it back up and turn the key on (without starting the engine). Leave it for five minutes, then shut it off. This will help reset the throttle position sensor. At that point you're free to fire it up.

 

I have to say after rereading your post, if the car's idle cleaned itself up and it starts well, you might want to look into changing your transmission fluid - those shifting problems sound more like they're tied to the trans than the engine.

 

get it scanned...

 

So This now sound like a transmission issue? What about three fact that in park when i give it some gas it goes up to about 1200 and almost spits and won't go above it. with my scanner it gave me the code p1545 but I dont have a vag

 

Googled the code- Throttle Body Alignment. Try was Devil said, but make sure you have your radio code first.

 

I couldn't do a TBA manually in my '99.5 AHA, from what I've read the manual method only works on DBW cars.

 

Can someone get me a pic of the throttle body on the car. I don't see it

 

nevermind. found it and cleaned a whole lot of gunk out of it. The intake tubing had chunks of gunk in it. I am buying a vag to do a TBA and hope that solves my problem