I have a 97 A4 2.8. My problem seemed to start when I changed my plugs. The car stalls at idle and also comming out of first gear. It then takes about 5 min of cranking at 10 sec intervals. I was getting a check engine light. I hooked the car up to a friends snap on diags system and got an error code that says fuel system too lean in banks 1 and 2. I changed the fuel filter the air filter but no luck. I added dry gas and still stalling. Then I added on the next tank full some fuel injector cleaner, no luck. I was then filling the car up with 91 octane or higher, but before the problem started I was using 87 octane for a little over a year. I figured since the problem started when I changed the plugs, maybe there was a problem with them. My original plugs were NGK 3 electrode, I replaced them with BOSH 2 electrode. I removed those and put original Factory NGK 3 electrode again along with new wires. The problem was still there. I decided to take a closer look under the hood again thinking maybe I loosened a connector to a injector or something. I noticed that the hose that connects the left side valve cover to the back of the engine was hanging off. so I attached it. then I noticed that a vaccum line was hanging of the right side of the engine right below the accelerator cable. So I attached that. I thought problem solved. WRONG. Car still stalled. In a 3 week period the car stalled about 12 times. My idle is between 600 and 900 RPM. After stalling the idle is rough but then after 10 min it's stable. The car has 71,000 miles with original O2 sensor and idle control valve. I dont know what to check next? Sorry for the long winded post but I figured the more info the easier to solve the problem.

 

No, it is good that you put all that info up, it helps us not make stupid suggestions.

I was gonna go with improperly gapped spark plugs but you put the old plugs back. Did you replace your plug wires with the special $200 wires?

I mean you really tried everything, I would say the only other thought I have is a bad fuel pump. This is the point when I limp my butt to the dealership because it is cheaper than a starter.

 

I dont think that the wires are original replacement but they are german, just cant recall the name.

 

Another bit of info on my A4. I'm getting a 16500 coolant temp sensor error G-62. Will this make the car have a rough idle and stall?

 

your problem is the coolant temp sensor "16500 coolant temp sensor out of range" could also be poor connection, thermostat sticking giving false temperature reading to the ECU, this will undoubtably cause the problem of stalling

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

I have the same problem described here... where is the sensor i need to change it but the dealership said i need ot pull it first and check which connetor i have

 

the sensor is on the passenger side towards the rear of the engine. Under the idle control valve. its a good idea to remove the valve first. its held in with 3 nuts. The temp sensor is right below. remove the wire connector, slide the mounting clip sideways and pull sensor straight up, be carefull you will loose antifreze. Its a good idea to clean the idle control valve. I think this is what solved the problem with my car. By replacing the temp sensor it just got rid of the check engine light.

 

My cel went out when I change the sensor but still stalling, I think you ae right I am going to clean out the ICV. Funny thing is i left the air intake tube loos and it fell off when i was driving so the cel came back and the car shut off. I knew what it was right away so i reattached the tube and the car is running better but now i have to clear the cel again... Silly me