I posted about this a little while ago, but still need more info.

My newly-acquired 1991 A4 2.8Q (14,000 miles) has very erratic, jerky and
unpredictable throttle response, especially when starting from a stop. I
never know how it will respond. My wife nearly had an accident due to
throttle delay, and I hate driving in close quarters, like when parking.
The car is likely to do nothing at the first application of throttle, then
leap ahead. It's impossible to provide smooth acceleration, unless you
apply the throttle so slowly and carefully that you are willing to be the
last one away from the traffic light, with the car behind eating your
bumper. Mid-range throttle is better, but still poor, compared to any other
car I've driven.

The dealer had the car for a day, and said it was "normal". Screw that --
if it's normal, I want them to buy it back! They did a throttle adaptation
(I think) and that seemed to help a tiny amount (maybe) for a short time,
but then it was back to the old tricks. I'm beginning to hate driving this
otherwise-nice car.

I've read other complaints about something similar -- mainly throttle lag --
in various forums, but haven't read of anything exactly like this, nor of a
fix. HELP!!!!

RapidRon

--
Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply

 

>From: "RapidRon" No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com
>
>I posted about this a little while ago, but still need more info.
>
>My newly-acquired 1991 A4 2.8Q (14,000 miles) has very erratic, jerky and
>unpredictable throttle response, especially when starting from a stop. I
>never know how it will respond. My wife nearly had an accident due to
>throttle delay, and I hate driving in close quarters, like when parking.
>The car is likely to do nothing at the first application of throttle, then
>leap ahead. It's impossible to provide smooth acceleration, unless you
>apply the throttle so slowly and carefully that you are willing to be the
>last one away from the traffic light, with the car behind eating your
>bumper. Mid-range throttle is better, but still poor, compared to any other
>car I've driven.
>
>The dealer had the car for a day, and said it was "normal". Screw that --
>if it's normal, I want them to buy it back! They did a throttle adaptation
>(I think) and that seemed to help a tiny amount (maybe) for a short time,
>but then it was back to the old tricks. I'm beginning to hate driving this
>otherwise-nice car.
>
>I've read other complaints about something similar -- mainly throttle lag --
>in various forums, but haven't read of anything exactly like this, nor of a
>fix. HELP!!!!

I have seen things from soft/broken motor mounts to broken/cracked boots to the
throttle body causing problems like that. Something might shift unexpectedly
when you first start to accelerate.
Check those boots first and let us know what you find!

later,
dave
Reminder........
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way,
when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their
shoes. Frieda Norris

 

> >From: "RapidRon" No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com
> >
> >I posted about this a little while ago, but still need more info.
> >
> >My newly-acquired 1991 A4 2.8Q (14,000 miles) has very erratic, jerky and
> >unpredictable throttle response, especially when starting from a stop. I
> >never know how it will respond. My wife nearly had an accident due to
> >throttle delay, and I hate driving in close quarters, like when parking.
> >The car is likely to do nothing at the first application of throttle, then
> >leap ahead. It's impossible to provide smooth acceleration, unless you
> >apply the throttle so slowly and carefully that you are willing to be the
> >last one away from the traffic light, with the car behind eating your
> >bumper. Mid-range throttle is better, but still poor, compared to any other
> >car I've driven.
> >
> >The dealer had the car for a day, and said it was "normal". Screw that --
> >if it's normal, I want them to buy it back! They did a throttle adaptation
> >(I think) and that seemed to help a tiny amount (maybe) for a short time,
> >but then it was back to the old tricks. I'm beginning to hate driving this
> >otherwise-nice car.
> >
> >I've read other complaints about something similar -- mainly throttle lag --
> >in various forums, but haven't read of anything exactly like this, nor of a
> >fix. HELP!!!!
>
> I have seen things from soft/broken motor mounts to broken/cracked boots to the
> throttle body causing problems like that. Something might shift unexpectedly
> when you first start to accelerate.
> Check those boots first and let us know what you find!

Very stupid question: Does it do the same thing when standing in
neutral? If yes, did you try to turn the throttle at the engine (I
don't know what it is called, I mean this thing where the cable from
the acellerator cable ends at the engine and turns something). If you
turn there, you might be able to narrow down whether there is a
problem in the transmission from the paddle to the engine or in the
engine.

Just a thought, I am not an expert,

Christoph
--
Important: Emails sent to me which contain my full name
in the "to:" or "cc:" field will bypass my spam filter.
With most programs "Reply" should do the job.

 

Chris,

Thanks for the thought, but this is a drive-by-wire throttle, that is, an
electronic wire. There is no cable. The throttle is moved by an electric
motor. It's all software magic - bad magic, in this case!

OOPS!!! I posted as a 1991 A4! I meant 2001. I don't think there was an
A4 in 1991, was there?

--
Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply
"Christoph Bollig" <laserpower@gmx.net> wrote in message
news:ste7b0hda225lsri6vhg7dg7b2d65bk3op@4ax.com...
> > >From: "RapidRon" No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com
> > >
> > >I posted about this a little while ago, but still need more info.
> > >
> > >My newly-acquired 1991 A4 2.8Q (14,000 miles) has very erratic, jerky
and
> > >unpredictable throttle response, especially when starting from a stop.
I
> > >never know how it will respond. My wife nearly had an accident due to
> > >throttle delay, and I hate driving in close quarters, like when
parking.
> > >The car is likely to do nothing at the first application of throttle,
then
> > >leap ahead. It's impossible to provide smooth acceleration, unless you
> > >apply the throttle so slowly and carefully that you are willing to be
the
> > >last one away from the traffic light, with the car behind eating your
> > >bumper. Mid-range throttle is better, but still poor, compared to any
other
> > >car I've driven.
> > >
> > >The dealer had the car for a day, and said it was "normal". Screw
that --
> > >if it's normal, I want them to buy it back! They did a throttle
adaptation
> > >(I think) and that seemed to help a tiny amount (maybe) for a short
time,
> > >but then it was back to the old tricks. I'm beginning to hate driving
this
> > >otherwise-nice car.
> > >
> > >I've read other complaints about something similar -- mainly throttle
lag --
> > >in various forums, but haven't read of anything exactly like this, nor
of a
> > >fix. HELP!!!!
> >
> > I have seen things from soft/broken motor mounts to broken/cracked boots
to the
> > throttle body causing problems like that. Something might shift
unexpectedly
> > when you first start to accelerate.
> > Check those boots first and let us know what you find!
>
> Very stupid question: Does it do the same thing when standing in
> neutral? If yes, did you try to turn the throttle at the engine (I
> don't know what it is called, I mean this thing where the cable from
> the acellerator cable ends at the engine and turns something). If you
> turn there, you might be able to narrow down whether there is a
> problem in the transmission from the paddle to the engine or in the
> engine.
>
> Just a thought, I am not an expert,
>
> Christoph
> --
> Important: Emails sent to me which contain my full name
> in the "to:" or "cc:" field will bypass my spam filter.
> With most programs "Reply" should do the job.

 

I just got the same car and it does the same thing.

"RapidRon" <No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com> wrote in message
news:ioQsc.56574$oQ6.27378@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> Chris,
>
> Thanks for the thought, but this is a drive-by-wire throttle, that is, an
> electronic wire. There is no cable. The throttle is moved by an electric
> motor. It's all software magic - bad magic, in this case!
>
> OOPS!!! I posted as a 1991 A4! I meant 2001. I don't think there was an
> A4 in 1991, was there?
>
> --
> Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply
> "Christoph Bollig" <laserpower@gmx.net> wrote in message
> news:ste7b0hda225lsri6vhg7dg7b2d65bk3op@4ax.com...
> > > >From: "RapidRon" No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com
> > > >
> > > >I posted about this a little while ago, but still need more info.
> > > >
> > > >My newly-acquired 1991 A4 2.8Q (14,000 miles) has very erratic, jerky
> and
> > > >unpredictable throttle response, especially when starting from a
stop.
> I
> > > >never know how it will respond. My wife nearly had an accident due
to
> > > >throttle delay, and I hate driving in close quarters, like when
> parking.
> > > >The car is likely to do nothing at the first application of throttle,
> then
> > > >leap ahead. It's impossible to provide smooth acceleration, unless
you
> > > >apply the throttle so slowly and carefully that you are willing to be
> the
> > > >last one away from the traffic light, with the car behind eating your
> > > >bumper. Mid-range throttle is better, but still poor, compared to
any
> other
> > > >car I've driven.
> > > >
> > > >The dealer had the car for a day, and said it was "normal". Screw
> that --
> > > >if it's normal, I want them to buy it back! They did a throttle
> adaptation
> > > >(I think) and that seemed to help a tiny amount (maybe) for a short
> time,
> > > >but then it was back to the old tricks. I'm beginning to hate
driving
> this
> > > >otherwise-nice car.
> > > >
> > > >I've read other complaints about something similar -- mainly throttle
> lag --
> > > >in various forums, but haven't read of anything exactly like this,
nor
> of a
> > > >fix. HELP!!!!
> > >
> > > I have seen things from soft/broken motor mounts to broken/cracked
boots
> to the
> > > throttle body causing problems like that. Something might shift
> unexpectedly
> > > when you first start to accelerate.
> > > Check those boots first and let us know what you find!
> >
> > Very stupid question: Does it do the same thing when standing in
> > neutral? If yes, did you try to turn the throttle at the engine (I
> > don't know what it is called, I mean this thing where the cable from
> > the acellerator cable ends at the engine and turns something). If you
> > turn there, you might be able to narrow down whether there is a
> > problem in the transmission from the paddle to the engine or in the
> > engine.
> >
> > Just a thought, I am not an expert,
> >
> > Christoph
> > --
> > Important: Emails sent to me which contain my full name
> > in the "to:" or "cc:" field will bypass my spam filter.
> > With most programs "Reply" should do the job.
>
>

 

Ouch! Now what do we do? Let me know if you find a solution, and I'll do
the same for you. BTW, mine seems to be fairly decent when the engine is
"cold", and for maybe the first 5 minutes. Does yours behave that way too?

Ron

--
Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply
"Dennis W" <dwyattgrNOSPAM@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:PeTsc.4121$kh5.3625@newssvr32.news.prodigy.co m...
> I just got the same car and it does the same thing.
>
> "RapidRon" <No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com> wrote in message
> news:ioQsc.56574$oQ6.27378@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> > Chris,
> >
> > Thanks for the thought, but this is a drive-by-wire throttle, that is,
an
> > electronic wire. There is no cable. The throttle is moved by an
electric
> > motor. It's all software magic - bad magic, in this case!
> >
> > OOPS!!! I posted as a 1991 A4! I meant 2001. I don't think there was
an
> > A4 in 1991, was there?
> >
> > --
> > Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply
> > "Christoph Bollig" <laserpower@gmx.net> wrote in message
> > news:ste7b0hda225lsri6vhg7dg7b2d65bk3op@4ax.com...
> > > > >From: "RapidRon" No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com
> > > > >
> > > > >I posted about this a little while ago, but still need more info.
> > > > >
> > > > >My newly-acquired 1991 A4 2.8Q (14,000 miles) has very erratic,
jerky
> > and
> > > > >unpredictable throttle response, especially when starting from a
> stop.
> > I
> > > > >never know how it will respond. My wife nearly had an accident due
> to
> > > > >throttle delay, and I hate driving in close quarters, like when
> > parking.
> > > > >The car is likely to do nothing at the first application of
throttle,
> > then
> > > > >leap ahead. It's impossible to provide smooth acceleration, unless
> you
> > > > >apply the throttle so slowly and carefully that you are willing to
be
> > the
> > > > >last one away from the traffic light, with the car behind eating
your
> > > > >bumper. Mid-range throttle is better, but still poor, compared to
> any
> > other
> > > > >car I've driven.
> > > > >
> > > > >The dealer had the car for a day, and said it was "normal". Screw
> > that --
> > > > >if it's normal, I want them to buy it back! They did a throttle
> > adaptation
> > > > >(I think) and that seemed to help a tiny amount (maybe) for a short
> > time,
> > > > >but then it was back to the old tricks. I'm beginning to hate
> driving
> > this
> > > > >otherwise-nice car.
> > > > >
> > > > >I've read other complaints about something similar -- mainly
throttle
> > lag --
> > > > >in various forums, but haven't read of anything exactly like this,
> nor
> > of a
> > > > >fix. HELP!!!!
> > > >
> > > > I have seen things from soft/broken motor mounts to broken/cracked
> boots
> > to the
> > > > throttle body causing problems like that. Something might shift
> > unexpectedly
> > > > when you first start to accelerate.
> > > > Check those boots first and let us know what you find!
> > >
> > > Very stupid question: Does it do the same thing when standing in
> > > neutral? If yes, did you try to turn the throttle at the engine (I
> > > don't know what it is called, I mean this thing where the cable from
> > > the acellerator cable ends at the engine and turns something). If you
> > > turn there, you might be able to narrow down whether there is a
> > > problem in the transmission from the paddle to the engine or in the
> > > engine.
> > >
> > > Just a thought, I am not an expert,
> > >
> > > Christoph
> > > --
> > > Important: Emails sent to me which contain my full name
> > > in the "to:" or "cc:" field will bypass my spam filter.
> > > With most programs "Reply" should do the job.
> >
> >
>
>

 

Ron,
I just got back from the dealer(Mercedes, Volvo, VW) where we bought the
car. It has 59,000 miles and runs great,except for the throttle response
from a standing start. We just got it monday so I have'nt driven it much. My
wife drives it. I spoke with the salesman and a VW mechanic. The mechanic
said there should be a little lag in initial throttle response and is
typical with a "drive by wire". The salesman drove it and said he thinks it
drives like it is supposed to. The cars transmission is "adaptive" and after
500 miles or so should adapt to how the wife drives it.(maybe the previous
owner was a lead foot and the car was responding to this type of driver.)
Anyway as I drove it, I became a little more comfortable with its response
and have decided to give it 500 miles or so to adapt and then if not happy
will take it to a different dealer(Audi) for a second opinion. Good luck
with yours and keep me informed. Feel free to email with questions or
comments.
Dennis

"RapidRon" <No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com> wrote in message
news:KV9tc.61188$oQ6.1254@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> Ouch! Now what do we do? Let me know if you find a solution, and I'll do
> the same for you. BTW, mine seems to be fairly decent when the engine is
> "cold", and for maybe the first 5 minutes. Does yours behave that way
too?
>
> Ron
>
> --
> Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply
> "Dennis W" <dwyattgrNOSPAM@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:PeTsc.4121$kh5.3625@newssvr32.news.prodigy.co m...
> > I just got the same car and it does the same thing.
> >
> > "RapidRon" <No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com> wrote in message
> > news:ioQsc.56574$oQ6.27378@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> > > Chris,
> > >
> > > Thanks for the thought, but this is a drive-by-wire throttle, that is,
> an
> > > electronic wire. There is no cable. The throttle is moved by an
> electric
> > > motor. It's all software magic - bad magic, in this case!
> > >
> > > OOPS!!! I posted as a 1991 A4! I meant 2001. I don't think there
was
> an
> > > A4 in 1991, was there?
> > >
> > > --
> > > Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply
> > > "Christoph Bollig" <laserpower@gmx.net> wrote in message
> > > news:ste7b0hda225lsri6vhg7dg7b2d65bk3op@4ax.com...
> > > > > >From: "RapidRon" No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com
> > > > > >
> > > > > >I posted about this a little while ago, but still need more info.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >My newly-acquired 1991 A4 2.8Q (14,000 miles) has very erratic,
> jerky
> > > and
> > > > > >unpredictable throttle response, especially when starting from a
> > stop.
> > > I
> > > > > >never know how it will respond. My wife nearly had an accident
due
> > to
> > > > > >throttle delay, and I hate driving in close quarters, like when
> > > parking.
> > > > > >The car is likely to do nothing at the first application of
> throttle,
> > > then
> > > > > >leap ahead. It's impossible to provide smooth acceleration,
unless
> > you
> > > > > >apply the throttle so slowly and carefully that you are willing
to
> be
> > > the
> > > > > >last one away from the traffic light, with the car behind eating
> your
> > > > > >bumper. Mid-range throttle is better, but still poor, compared
to
> > any
> > > other
> > > > > >car I've driven.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >The dealer had the car for a day, and said it was "normal".
Screw
> > > that --
> > > > > >if it's normal, I want them to buy it back! They did a throttle
> > > adaptation
> > > > > >(I think) and that seemed to help a tiny amount (maybe) for a
short
> > > time,
> > > > > >but then it was back to the old tricks. I'm beginning to hate
> > driving
> > > this
> > > > > >otherwise-nice car.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >I've read other complaints about something similar -- mainly
> throttle
> > > lag --
> > > > > >in various forums, but haven't read of anything exactly like
this,
> > nor
> > > of a
> > > > > >fix. HELP!!!!
> > > > >
> > > > > I have seen things from soft/broken motor mounts to broken/cracked
> > boots
> > > to the
> > > > > throttle body causing problems like that. Something might shift
> > > unexpectedly
> > > > > when you first start to accelerate.
> > > > > Check those boots first and let us know what you find!
> > > >
> > > > Very stupid question: Does it do the same thing when standing in
> > > > neutral? If yes, did you try to turn the throttle at the engine (I
> > > > don't know what it is called, I mean this thing where the cable from
> > > > the acellerator cable ends at the engine and turns something). If
you
> > > > turn there, you might be able to narrow down whether there is a
> > > > problem in the transmission from the paddle to the engine or in the
> > > > engine.
> > > >
> > > > Just a thought, I am not an expert,
> > > >
> > > > Christoph
> > > > --
> > > > Important: Emails sent to me which contain my full name
> > > > in the "to:" or "cc:" field will bypass my spam filter.
> > > > With most programs "Reply" should do the job.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

 

Guys,

My 2000 A4 1.8T did the exact same thing after about 25k. The
throttle body was gummed up. The dealer cleaned mine out and
everything was good to go after that. HTH!

Elroy
2000 S4



On Thu, 27 May 2004 00:50:51 GMT, "Dennis W"
<dwyattgrNOSPAM@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>Ron,
>I just got back from the dealer(Mercedes, Volvo, VW) where we bought the
>car. It has 59,000 miles and runs great,except for the throttle response
>from a standing start. We just got it monday so I have'nt driven it much. My
>wife drives it. I spoke with the salesman and a VW mechanic. The mechanic
>said there should be a little lag in initial throttle response and is
>typical with a "drive by wire". The salesman drove it and said he thinks it
>drives like it is supposed to. The cars transmission is "adaptive" and after
>500 miles or so should adapt to how the wife drives it.(maybe the previous
>owner was a lead foot and the car was responding to this type of driver.)
>Anyway as I drove it, I became a little more comfortable with its response
>and have decided to give it 500 miles or so to adapt and then if not happy
>will take it to a different dealer(Audi) for a second opinion. Good luck
>with yours and keep me informed. Feel free to email with questions or
>comments.
> Dennis
>
>"RapidRon" <No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com> wrote in message
>news:KV9tc.61188$oQ6.1254@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>> Ouch! Now what do we do? Let me know if you find a solution, and I'll do
>> the same for you. BTW, mine seems to be fairly decent when the engine is
>> "cold", and for maybe the first 5 minutes. Does yours behave that way
>too?
>>
>> Ron
>>
>> --
>> Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply
>> "Dennis W" <dwyattgrNOSPAM@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> news:PeTsc.4121$kh5.3625@newssvr32.news.prodigy.co m...
>> > I just got the same car and it does the same thing.
>> >
>> > "RapidRon" <No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com> wrote in message
>> > news:ioQsc.56574$oQ6.27378@twister.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>> > > Chris,
>> > >
>> > > Thanks for the thought, but this is a drive-by-wire throttle, that is,
>> an
>> > > electronic wire. There is no cable. The throttle is moved by an
>> electric
>> > > motor. It's all software magic - bad magic, in this case!
>> > >
>> > > OOPS!!! I posted as a 1991 A4! I meant 2001. I don't think there
>was
>> an
>> > > A4 in 1991, was there?
>> > >
>> > > --
>> > > Remove "No-Spam" from return address to reply
>> > > "Christoph Bollig" <laserpower@gmx.net> wrote in message
>> > > news:ste7b0hda225lsri6vhg7dg7b2d65bk3op@4ax.com...
>> > > > > >From: "RapidRon" No-SpamRapidRon@pclink.com
>> > > > > >
>> > > > > >I posted about this a little while ago, but still need more info.
>> > > > > >
>> > > > > >My newly-acquired 1991 A4 2.8Q (14,000 miles) has very erratic,
>> jerky
>> > > and
>> > > > > >unpredictable throttle response, especially when starting from a
>> > stop.
>> > > I
>> > > > > >never know how it will respond. My wife nearly had an accident
>due
>> > to
>> > > > > >throttle delay, and I hate driving in close quarters, like when
>> > > parking.
>> > > > > >The car is likely to do nothing at the first application of
>> throttle,
>> > > then
>> > > > > >leap ahead. It's impossible to provide smooth acceleration,
>unless
>> > you
>> > > > > >apply the throttle so slowly and carefully that you are willing
>to
>> be
>> > > the
>> > > > > >last one away from the traffic light, with the car behind eating
>> your
>> > > > > >bumper. Mid-range throttle is better, but still poor, compared
>to
>> > any
>> > > other
>> > > > > >car I've driven.
>> > > > > >
>> > > > > >The dealer had the car for a day, and said it was "normal".
>Screw
>> > > that --
>> > > > > >if it's normal, I want them to buy it back! They did a throttle
>> > > adaptation
>> > > > > >(I think) and that seemed to help a tiny amount (maybe) for a
>short
>> > > time,
>> > > > > >but then it was back to the old tricks. I'm beginning to hate
>> > driving
>> > > this
>> > > > > >otherwise-nice car.
>> > > > > >
>> > > > > >I've read other complaints about something similar -- mainly
>> throttle
>> > > lag --
>> > > > > >in various forums, but haven't read of anything exactly like
>this,
>> > nor
>> > > of a
>> > > > > >fix. HELP!!!!
>> > > > >
>> > > > > I have seen things from soft/broken motor mounts to broken/cracked
>> > boots
>> > > to the
>> > > > > throttle body causing problems like that. Something might shift
>> > > unexpectedly
>> > > > > when you first start to accelerate.
>> > > > > Check those boots first and let us know what you find!
>> > > >
>> > > > Very stupid question: Does it do the same thing when standing in
>> > > > neutral? If yes, did you try to turn the throttle at the engine (I
>> > > > don't know what it is called, I mean this thing where the cable from
>> > > > the acellerator cable ends at the engine and turns something). If
>you
>> > > > turn there, you might be able to narrow down whether there is a
>> > > > problem in the transmission from the paddle to the engine or in the
>> > > > engine.
>> > > >
>> > > > Just a thought, I am not an expert,
>> > > >
>> > > > Christoph
>> > > > --
>> > > > Important: Emails sent to me which contain my full name
>> > > > in the "to:" or "cc:" field will bypass my spam filter.
>> > > > With most programs "Reply" should do the job.
>> > >
>> > >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>