mnb008h1

Weeks now my '97 A6 Quattro 120k miles has been blowing a 15A fuse located just above the ECM in passenger footwell. Engine just dies without warning. I ordered repair manual and noted fuse to be protecting the ignition coils feeding the spark plugs. Originally thought I had a bad plug wire on #3; replaced spark plug wire set. Ran fine day after replacing plug wires. Same day, after work, upon engine start fuse blew twice before engine started and ran 4-5 miles. Fuse blows again, engine dies without warning. Let car cool off and replaced fuse. A couple more fuses blow before starting and running a few more miles. Finally made it home that night, checked entire wiring and voltage from fuse all way to ignition coils. Checked coils and found satisfactory 12k Ohm across each. Started and ran the car with voltmeter attached at fuse but could not get failure, even while turning all loads on and reducing voltage to 11-12V (less volts, more amps - fuse should blow). Anyway, has anyone had to replace ignition coil(s) due to similar problems??? It's about the only thing left in the circuit that could be the problem. Plus, the failure seems to occur more often when engine is warmed up, when starting from an idle at a stop; but it has occurred on the cold car. It has also failed at highway speeds! Any help would be appreciated.

snowman '92 100

I'm thinking it's shorting out somewhere. Check the grounding points as well. Look for chaffed wires. Check the relay panel in the Driver's side footwell to see if everything's aligned ok in there (where the wires all attach).