Rab_Roy

Hi, hope someone can help me, ive read a few threads with similar problem to mine and no one seems to be able to fix it. I have an Audi A4 1995, I have had the problem for possibly a year but its gotten a lot worse. When i try and start the car it actually starts but then dies straight away, i can even rev the engine for a split second before it dies, the revs slowly drop untill the car cuts out, even when i try and rev it still cuts out (after a split second). This doesnt always happen though, sometimes it just starts and there are no problems at all, a few months ago i would try and start it, it would fail but after a few minutes it would be back up and running again. If someone knows what the problem is i would be really grateful if you could help, i am worried about spending to much money trying to fix lots of potential solutions but i do love my car.

Allroady DungBeetle

Sounds a lot like an ECU coolant temp sensor issue. Have you replaced it?

Rab_Roy

No i havent, how do i do that? Sorry im not much of a car expert, infact very far from it.

maxxchon

You can search the tech articles and there are plenty of things it could be. From experience with my 1997 A4 2.8, start by checking the resitance on the ICV (Idle Control Valve), then if that ok move on to your vacuum hoses, engine coolant temprature sensor. If those are all ok and you still have the problem it is most likely your crank position sensor. Hope this helps.

Rab_Roy

My mate who works on vw engines came over and im sure he checked the icv, fuel injectors, air fiter, vacuum hoses. He reckons lambda sensor, fuel pump or ecu? Obviously i want to spend as little money as possible especially in these tight times so are there any of these problems that i can rule out? thanks for helping

Allroady DungBeetle

How is it that people keep posting the wrong place? "Threaded View" in your settings! Anyway... if you're uncomfortable doing the work yourself it's a *really* simple job and any decent mechanic should be able to do it in less than 15 minutes.

You may get charged a half hour or something but it's will be minimal. Sensor should be less than $30 or so.

Allroady DungBeetle

Being you're not in the US which engine do you have in the car? Cold start will not be lambda sensor, doesn't kick in at cold start. Fuel pump is rare to be an issue to start unless it's REALLY dead in which case you will have other running issues. ECU - possible but not likely.

Coolant temp sensor is a VERY common issue to cause hard starting. Start there.