I've gone through the forums but haven't really been able to find an answer to my problem, which is this:
Check engine light (MIL) started to go on. No real concern as I didn't notice anything wrong with the car. On my next oil change, I asked my local shop to have a look at it. They said the MAF sensor (or something like that) was dirty and cleaned it. Light goes out for one day and then returns. Then I get a letter from Audi stating that if the MIL is on, it could be the coils and they can be replaced under warranty. So I took it in to them, they replaced all six coils and the MIL was still on. Then they told me it was the coolant sensor, so I replaced that. Next day, MIL comes back on. Then I have it into my local shop again. They claim there is a hard fault with the MAF sensor and they replace it. Next day, MIL comes back on.
What gives? How much stuff do I have to replace before we actually solve the problem here? Seems like these guys - even the dealer! - are shooting in the dark.

Recently, the ESP light illuminates and the car shifts hard into gear and the shift points seem a bit different and a bit rough. Next day, it could be fine. Is this related the MIL which has been on for about two months now? This ESP stuff only started last week. Seems like nobody can figure this out. Not sure what to do at this point. I guess I'll go back to the local shop for another round.

Anybody have any ideas about this? Thanks in advance.


2004 A4 Avant Ultrasport 3.0 w/auto trans

 

Check the code and tell us what it is. They can do it for free at autozone

 

you arent studdering or feeling regular jolts right?

 

The best thing you can do is know what the codes are yourself. You can only let mechanics push you around and make you spend unneccesary money for so long.

This really does sound like a MAF problem. There is a possibility that you bought a bad MAF or put the wrong one in. The MAF has a slight participation in the function of your transmission. If the MAF is bad, it is said that your tranmission can bang into gear as you described.

A dealer should take care of you. They can swap parts to ensure that is exactly what is wrong. Don't forget to get a throttle body allignment done after you install or unplug a MAF! A Must! Clear all the codes and turn the key to the on position for 2 minutes. There, it's done...

 

Go get the computer trouble codes read, document whats listed as trouble and then clear all the codes. The MIL will shut off and you cna expect it to come back on again. When it does come back on, go back and re-read the codes adn then report it all back here. This should give us an idea of what issues your computer has reported that are stored and then what it actualyl thinks is wrong.

It sounds like you're dealer and/or indy shops are taking you for a ride and.or are incompetent. Odds are good that we cna help, but we need more info.

 

If you get a code we'll be able to tell you what it is, but with just guessing, I'd say check your vaccuum lines coming from the airbox. But we still need the codes.

 

Dan is probably right. As always. probably just a rotting check valve that sometimes gets suction and sometimes dosent. Which might explain why ur car runs right only sometimes.

 

id believe the maf story. i had a similar issue a few years ago (granted it wasnt an audi, but...) the maf was dirty and causing weird transmission issues. cleaned it with some carb cleaner and it was ok. come to think of it the problem came back a year afterwords and it turned out the o2 sensors were shot. theres something else you can look in to. go get those codes!