[titan5000S]

HI everyone, I'd like to introduce myself to the Audi scene and this board. I have just acquired a 1984 5000S FWD non-turbo from a family member (actually it's my sister's, I'm just the "novice" family mechanic with friends ) The previous owner dumped money into this car (about $3K) restoring the hydraulic system (braking and steering), radiator and numerous other components (they gave me the receipts to back it up, this thing looks like a money pit :huh: ).

My major concern is the brakes aren't working very good. Upon startup, and periodically during normal driving, the brake pedal seems to stiffen up so much that I cannot apply much pressure to the brakes no matter how much force is applied to the pedal, it just won't move. Periodically, however, the brake pedal softens up and works fine. The break light in the instrument cluster has been flashing since we got the vehicle (yesterday) and I'm not really comfortable letting a less competent driver like my sister (16yrs old) get behind the wheel of a car that won't stop fast. Any thoughts as to what the problem is?

Secondly, I'm not satisfied with the 3-spd automatic transmission. The tranny feels like it's ripping the engine apart under harder acceleration, it just revs too high to get used to. Are there any 4- or 5-spd autos from other Audis that match up to the 5000S? If not, how easy would it be to convert it to a standard? The tranny isn't a huge issue, there aren't any problems with it, it just doesn't feel right.
Still, performance isn't necessary at this point, I'm just looking at the options.

Oh, and then there's the rear window defogger that doesn't work, windows that fog up when the defrosters are blowing wide open (yeah, i sweat my bum off in that thing), reverse lights that don't work (I checked the bulbs, which fuse controls that?), front door latches that don't work (pain in the butt), and the power steering that feels non-existent compared to other cars I have driven. Any pointers?

Anyways, thanks for the help, I'm going to love working on this car!

- Lucus

 

[Rob-D]

Originally posted by titan5000S@Jan 10 2005, 02:49 PM
HI everyone, I'd like to introduce myself to the Audi scene and this board. I have just acquired a 1984 5000S FWD non-turbo from a family member (actually it's my sister's, I'm just the "novice" family mechanic with friends ) The previous owner dumped money into this car (about $3K) restoring the hydraulic system (braking and steering), radiator and numerous other components (they gave me the receipts to back it up, this thing looks like a money pit  :huh: ).

My major concern is the brakes aren't working very good. Upon startup, and periodically during normal driving, the brake pedal seems to stiffen up so much that I cannot apply much pressure to the brakes no matter how much force is applied to the pedal, it just won't move. Periodically, however, the brake pedal softens up and works fine. The break light in the instrument cluster has been flashing since we got the vehicle (yesterday) and I'm not really comfortable letting a less competent driver like my sister (16yrs old) get behind the wheel of a car that won't stop fast. Any thoughts as to what the problem is?

Secondly, I'm not satisfied with the 3-spd automatic transmission. The tranny feels like it's ripping the engine apart under harder acceleration, it just revs too high to get used to. Are there any 4- or 5-spd autos from other Audis that match up to the 5000S? If not, how easy would it be to convert it to a standard? The tranny isn't a huge issue, there aren't any problems with it, it just doesn't feel right.
Still, performance isn't necessary at this point, I'm just looking at the options.

Oh, and then there's the rear window defogger that doesn't work, windows that fog up when the defrosters are blowing wide open (yeah, i sweat my bum off in that thing), reverse lights that don't work (I checked the bulbs, which fuse controls that?), front door latches that don't work (pain in the butt), and the power steering that feels non-existent compared to other cars I have driven. Any pointers?

Anyways, thanks for the help, I'm going to love working on this car!

- Lucus

Quoted post​

Ok, a couple of questions
1. how long did it sit after the brake job was done? some times vehicles that sit for a long time have problems with the hydraulic components of the brake system sticking.
2. Is the power steering belt on and adjusted correctly? The power steering pump also supplies the pressure for the power brakes and this may be the heart of both issues.

If you do not have a manual for working on the car I would highly reccomend buying one before going to far with repairs.
Amazon.com will show used manuals along with new ones.
Some of the used ones are quite inexpenisive and will do fine even if they already have a few fingerprints on them.
The Haynes manuals will do for most general repairs while the ones by Bentley Publishing are more complete but cost a lot more too.

I haven't figured the front door latches out either. If you mean that you can't open the doors with the outside handle, there is probably a part broken in the handle assembly. This is common I have found out. Replacements are available from several sources. The cable that goes from the inside handle to the latch is also rather fragile.
I have no info or ideas on the rear defogger. Nor the trans.

 

[titan5000S]

Originally posted by Rob-D@Feb 23 2005, 04:23 AM
Ok, a couple of questions
1. how long did it sit after the brake job was done? some times vehicles that sit for a long time have problems with the hydraulic components of the brake system sticking.
2. Is the power steering belt on and adjusted correctly? The power steering pump also supplies the pressure for the power brakes and this may be the heart of both issues.

If you do not have a manual for working on the car I would highly reccomend buying one before going to far with repairs.
Amazon.com will show used manuals along with new ones.
Some of the used ones are quite inexpenisive and will do fine even if they already have a few fingerprints on them.
The Haynes manuals will do for most general repairs while the ones by Bentley Publishing are more complete but cost a lot more too.

I haven't figured the front door latches out either. If you mean that you can't open the doors with the outside handle, there is probably a part broken in the handle assembly. This is common I have found out. Replacements are available from several sources. The cable that goes from the inside handle to the latch is also rather fragile.
I have no info or ideas on the rear defogger. Nor the trans.

Quoted post​

Alright, I don't have a clue how long this thing sat before I picked it up, but I parked it again until the snow goes off here in Michigan so I can work on it...

As for the belt, How can I check if it's adjusted correctly? Another thing, could bleeding the brakes do anything for it? (shows how much experience I have... ^_^ )

I do plan on getting a FSM for this car, i'd be crazy not to, but thanks for the refferal!

One more thing, these replacement sources for the door handles, do you know any right off hand?

Anyhow, I'm not breaking out the tools until the snow goes off, so I have plenty of time, thanks!

 

[urq20v]

Quite likely the brake problem is the "bomb".This is the brake pressure accumulator and looks like a big German hand grenade!It sits low down on the left side of the engine compartment.(usually).
To test it,run the engine for a minute or so,then turn off the engine then turn the igntion on again.(engine not running).Pump the brake pedal and count the number of pumps before the brake warning light comes on.You should be able to get 20 pumps before the light comes on.If not,chances are the bomb is faulty.
Also possibly the brake servo is faulty.The servo is attached behind the brake master cylinder and goes through the firewall into the cabin.

 

[titan5000S]

Yeah, I read about the bomb, I'll have to go charge the battery and test it. Thanks for the info!

 

[Rob-D]

on the outside door handles, they are made of all plastic and there is a lever that snaps off easily causing them to fail. new replacements are readily available on Ebay for around 20.00. I haven't priced them at the dealer. You need to make sure of drivers or passenger side handle though. Note you wiil have to pop the chrome strip out of the center of the handle to reach a screw, not doing so will cause you to damage the welded in nut in the door. There are also two screws under a cap on the back edge of the door and be carefull of the linkage.

 

[A6_25TDI]

For the fogging problem of the front windows, get a new pollen filter! If it's colgged, then your blower won't be able to defog the windows.

The rear window defroster is electrical, so the above does not apply. Check for a blown fuse first.

 

[Papinki]

I would like to add, yes get bentley manual it will explain brake system and how to check all the components. pump/servo/accumulator all have to be working that is why you have the warning light. transmission 3 speed should show even needle movement between speed and tach ie no over drive should be correct not over rev. Like 60mph would be just under 3k tach. window fogging, there is a large dampener door with spring that must be working to prevent fogging, bentley manual explains where and how to repair. Door handles are fragile, powdered metal, never force door handle inner lever, free frozen door or push door in so handle operates smoothly, Lubricate mechanism often, outside dirt blasts right into mechanism while driving, can be replaced easily, italian company sells a solid milled steel handle for around 40 bucks. Put new handles on and learn how to use them. Inspect and change timing belt if over 50k miles, sounds like everything else you are on top of. See my post on buying 5000cs avant wagon for good part/info source.