Engine quits w/o warning on freeway? Help? Any experience or guesses?

j.w. · 05-21-2007, 01:05 PM

'99 A4 1.8t Q Avant ~73,000 miles. Wife driving on freeway in the middle of a long trip, recent gas fill up w/in 50 miles. From what she described, it sounds like the engine totally cutoff without any warning. Accessories and such stayed on. She did not notice any noises. She noticed the oil light. The steering got heavier as she slowed. Oil looks o.k. on dipstick. I tried to start the car, and the starter motor just spins, the solonoid does not engage -- coincidental problems or is there a common thread such as some sort of faulty ignition module? Any guesses or experience would be greatly appreciated. jw

a8 tech · 05-21-2007, 02:26 PM

look at the fuel pump/supply,this wont put a faullt in the memory but over time may store engine speed sender implausible signal,which will cancel when engine starts as crank signal returned.

j.w. · 05-23-2007, 08:38 PM

Could these symtoms fit with a timing belt failure? My wife did not notice any noise or racket. The car slowed down quickly as if in gear with compression. She shifted down, and it slowed even more. It didn't make any racket when I turned the starter motor, just a high rpm whirr. I assumed the solonoid was not kicking, but it occurs to me that compression may be lost. If that were the case, would the starter motor turn so freely and without interference noise?

j.w.

a8 tech · 05-24-2007, 11:51 AM

Loss of compression will allow the starter to turn faster as less resistance to overcome.Pull the cover off and have a look if the belt and camshafts turn.

05-21-2007, 01:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
j.w. Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3 Gallery: (0)	Engine quits w/o warning on freeway? Help? Any experience or guesses? '99 A4 1.8t Q Avant ~73,000 miles. Wife driving on freeway in the middle of a long trip, recent gas fill up w/in 50 miles. From what she described, it sounds like the engine totally cutoff without any warning. Accessories and such stayed on. She did not notice any noises. She noticed the oil light. The steering got heavier as she slowed. Oil looks o.k. on dipstick. I tried to start the car, and the starter motor just spins, the solonoid does not engage -- coincidental problems or is there a common thread such as some sort of faulty ignition module? Any guesses or experience would be greatly appreciated. jw

05-23-2007, 08:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
j.w. Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 3 Gallery: (0)	worst fear Could these symtoms fit with a timing belt failure? My wife did not notice any noise or racket. The car slowed down quickly as if in gear with compression. She shifted down, and it slowed even more. It didn't make any racket when I turned the starter motor, just a high rpm whirr. I assumed the solonoid was not kicking, but it occurs to me that compression may be lost. If that were the case, would the starter motor turn so freely and without interference noise? j.w.

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05-21-2007, 02:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
a8 tech Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: not telling you Posts: 620 Gallery: (0)	look at the fuel pump/supply,this wont put a faullt in the memory but over time may store engine speed sender implausible signal,which will cancel when engine starts as crank signal returned.

05-24-2007, 11:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
a8 tech Expert Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: not telling you Posts: 620 Gallery: (0)	Loss of compression will allow the starter to turn faster as less resistance to overcome.Pull the cover off and have a look if the belt and camshafts turn.

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