I purchased an '97 A4 last week w/ 93,700 miles. It has been fastidiously maintained, and runs very well. Since I've owned the car, the cruise control apparently stopped working. It worked when I test drove the vehicle last week, and I haven't used it prior to a trip I took yesterday, at which time I found it not working at all. When I slid the button into the "on" position, and then depressed the tab at the end of the stalk, there was no response. I tried numerous times to activate the cruise, but without any luck.

Question #2: what is the normal engine operating temp for this car? The temp guage (upper center of dashboard) indicates anything from a 12:00 position to a 10:00 position (never beyond the 12:00 position). I cannot make any connection with the disparate readings.

Question #3: What is standard MPG for this model? My first tank of half city and half hywy = 30.6mpg. My second tank was being consumed at the approximate rate of 35.4 mpg for all hywy driving, averaging above 70 for the vast majority of the trip. How does this compare to others out there?

Question #4: I parked in a sunny parking lot this afternoon. I left my front windows down approx 1 1/2" each to allow the super heated air to exhaust. After approx 10 minutes the alarm went off (twice!). If I left the doors unlocked, the alarm did not go off, even though the windows were down as described above. Is this because the cars senses the windows are down, and can't accomodate that configuration with the doors in the locked position?

Thoughts anyone? Thanks

 

Question 1: no clue

Question 2: I've got a 2000 a4 1.8t and the coolant temp sits at 12:00 all the time so you don't want to go past there running slightly cool isn't bad(A cool engine is a Happy engine)

Question 3: Mine gets 27 hwy, 21 city. If it's a 2.8L see question 1

Question 4: The alarm only turns on when you lock the car. It might just be the motion sensors picking up wind blowing something in your car or it might be like mine where it just goes off randomly for no apparent reason.

 

It's a 1.8 T. I understand 12:00 position is "max." Curious why temp is varying downward, and then back up to 12:00. Do these temp sensors go bad?

Does 1.8T suffer from "engine sludge" I have seen mentioned on this forum? And what is that condition, and how can it be avoided?

 

If your '97 is the same as my brother's '99, the motion sensor switch should be located on the lower interior trim which your driver's side seatbelt is connected to. You can toggle this on and off..

 

no idea on numbers 1 and 4 but engien temp seems fine and my 2.8 stick gets about 30-34 mpg as long as i shift at low rpms. also the a4's ive noticed are undergeared for better highway mpg.

 

The temperature sensor is going bad.

Use a synthetic engine oil that meets ACEA A3 to avoid sludge.

 

1. I know 3 people other than myself who have this problem. I spent $80 to replace the "stalk" which worked for a short time. On a lengthy trip the cruise will work, not work, then work again. I find when it will not work, turning it on and off quickly sometimes does the trick. I have learned to deal with it as I am out $80 and the dealer (two different ones) have no Idea other than the new stalk could be faulty.
2. 12:00 is perfect. After a long run or on a realy hot day if you turn the car off and restart it within a short time (getting fuel or running into the store) the gauge may go to 1:00 or just over the comfortable area for a short amount of time while the coolant starts to recirc.
3. cant help!
4. Your car has a motion sensor as to set the alarm off should someone reach in your car when the windows are down and the alarm is armed. This is a very sensative detection system. Wind will set it off when the windows are down even a little bit or the roof is tipped up. You should find an overide button at the bottom of the "b" post or the lower right side of the door opening as you look in the car from outside. Pressing it will make your warning indicator light solid and then blink at a different rate as it sets. This must be redone every time you deactivate the alarm.