mshan

I own a 1999 Audi A4 1.8TQ manual with about 55,000 miles on it (timing belt was replaced probably less than a 1000 miles ago by dealer).

I drove the car this morning to the post office about 3 miles away without problem.

When I restarted the car and started heading home, I started noticing this weird shuddering of the car, then I noticed that the check engine light was blinking.

I drove the car home cautiously, and noticed that the shudder was very pronounced at idle, and seemed to get better at 3000 rpm (did not drive the car aggressively and 2500 - 3500 rpm is typically very gentle driving in this car). Didn't seem like I had lost any power in the car, though.

Restarted the car at home and same shudder and blinking light was there. Turned off car and left it off.

I did some googling and seems like I might have a bad coil and need to have it towed to the dealer to have it fixed.

Is this correct, and how much should this repair typically cost?

Dealer is about 7 miles away. Should I definitely have it towed, or is it safe to drive the car cautiously there?

4Driver4

Why not just replace the coil yourself?

mshan

I know nothing about cars or having any engine tools. What does it involve?

mshan

"Continue driving with reduced power and have the cause corrected promptly by an authorized audi Dealer or qualified workshop."

And what is maximum safe to speed / acceleration with the blinking check engine light and engine shudder to get car to the dealer?

qfrog Ti20

The dealership probably wont have them in stock as they seldom fail. What does fail on the AEB with some frequency is the power output stage or ignition amplifier module... that costs a bit more than the coil and is also rather easy to change with basic hand tools in a short period of time.

mshan

Also, any online tutorials on how to do this?

And any potential to damage my car's electric systems?

(e.g. am I supposed to unplug battery?)

WJM

coils on AEBs dont usually fail like that... more likely the Ignition Control Module

mshan

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Audi/A4/EngineElectrical/57/1

And is replacing as simple as buying 4 of them, unscrewing plastic engine cover with 5 mm Allen key, popping off current ones from spark plugs, and then replacing them with the new ones?

And again, is there any precautions I need to be aware of when a totally car noob like me does it myself?

qfrog Ti20

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1594531.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1594531.phtml</a</li></ul>

qfrog Ti20

the problem is more likely to be the more expensive and equally easy to replace module located atop your air filter box.