2005 S4 (Tiptronic) @ 155k miles (stock timing parts, no tune, minimal mods). APOLOGIES - this is a long post :-[ but it’s kicking my butt and I want to address this before it progresses into something worse. :-\
- Oil Change @ every 5-7k miles.
- Daily Driver @ 75 miles/day
- Rotate and Roadforce balance every ~6k miles
- Never had a check engine light come on or flash in the 3 years I’ve owned the car (seems impossible, but it’s true!!). Lights up briefly on start-up so the bulb is good! :
Recent Work
92k - new front brakes+rotors
122k - new snub mount, belt/tensioner/idler assembly, IM spacers
130k - new front CV axles, control arms (upper & lower), wheel bearings, rear brakes+rotors
135k - new tires
151k - new wheels
154k - trans fluid & filter, alignment, inner tie rods
I had it in the shop last week for the 154k work mentioned above; I was hoping they could disgnose the following, but they could not figure anything out. Anyone have any thoughts? [headbang]
Diagnostic #1: High Speed Vibration
Problem:
Starting at around 60mph and beyond, there is a fairly significant vibration in both the steering wheel and seats. Is worse at some speeds, changing 1-2mph can make a big difference, however every day is a little different. It is worse in the 2-3 weeks following a wheel rotation then settles down a bit.
History/My Thoughts:
Had vibration issues from Day 1 although it was very minor then. Progressively getting worse as car ages, much worse in recent months. Seems speed related. Down or up-shifting at speed does not change frequency or severity. On second set of tires. First set had “flutter” identified in two, I thought changing tires would do it but nope. Unless I got unlucky with tires again. No mention of out of round tires by tire shop this time though. Rotating/balancing/etc doesn’t help, almost makes it worse for the first week or two. Seems worse when first driving until things warm up (4-5 miles). An alignment I had at 130k mentioned a bolt in the rear was “frozen”, but I was at the very edge of the spec for being OK so they left it. Could this being so close to “off” mess the tire wear up enough to create the vibration? The frozen bolt was replaced last week and alignment is now deadnuts on spec.
Diagnostic #2: Low Speed Wheel Noise
Problem:
Around 35-45mph, there is a “cyclic” noise. Speed dependent. No vibration accompanies it and it is really only around 35-45mph. Seems to come from the front and started maybe 10k miles ago?
History/My Thoughts:
Don’t think it is a wheel bearing since (1) they are faily new and (2) it does not get worse with swerving or faster speed. Not a constant drone either.
Diagnostic #3: Traction Control Light Intermittent On/Off
Problem:
Traction light turns on every few trips. Sometimes it comes on after driving a while. Other times it’s on immediately and shuts off after driving for a while.
History/My Thoughts:
Has done this since I’ve owned the car. Recently getting more frequent (from 2/10 times to 6/10 times.) Seems to get worse after rain/wet/damp. It doesn’t affect driving much (traction control still works) but it affects the acceleration/shifting only sometimes, (upshifting too fast; poor accelareation). Has never impacted downshifts.
Diagnostic #4: Intermittent Rough Idle
Problem:
More recently, at idle, if I am at a stoplight/stopped for more than maybe 15 seconds, sometimes the RPMs drop momentarily and the car very lightly shudders. This comes and goes, sometimes it happens a few times then is fine for the remainder of the light.
History/My Thoughts:
No idea what this is, perhaps related to the code below?
There were a few faults stored and pulled at time of service. I know the cooling sensor is wonky and only works 1/2 the time. I don’t see it as causing any of the other issues but I included it anyway just in case. My biggest concern is the Camshaft A code. Again, I’ve never seen a CEL.
Address 01: Engine
19497 - Powertrain Databus
P3041 - 004 - Implausible Engine Temp. Message from Inst. Panel - Intermittent
16395 - Bank 1: Camshaft A (Intake)
P0011 - 008 - Retard Setpoint not Reached (Over-Advanced) - Intermittent
Address 03: ABS Brakes
01826 - Sensor for Steering Angle (G85); Supply Voltage Terminal 30
35-00 - -
Address 17: Instruments
01039 - Coolant Temperature Sensor (G2)
30-10 - Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent
My Questions
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What exactly does the P0011 code mean? Is my timing off? I thought I read somewhere a bad mechanical adjuster throws the code P0021 (the other camshaft). Is this code pointing to a failed adjuster or something else in the timing, or someting else entirely? Why isn’t my CEL coming on?
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Any ideas on the vibration? It is wheelspeed dependent, not RPM. Would the driveshaft carrier bearing cause this? Shop said brakes, shields, etc looked good. They don’t know.
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Is the coolant sensor issue causing any of the issues, maybe the idle issue?
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Any other diagnostic work I can try?
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I plan on pulling the engine in the spring to do the timing service. Unless I start getting a misfire or severe chain rattle, then I will do it then.
Thanks for reading, hopefully a few of you have the patience to pick through this mess. If the mods want I can split this up.
- badger