2004 A4 Avant 3L quit running while driving on the freeway!

On Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:22:16 -0500, Flyingspur wrote:

>My 2004 A4 quit running while driving on the freeway. Fuel pump fuse
>is ok, plenty of gas in tank, cranks normally.

Cranks normally.... Does it sound like the starter motor is not
meeting much resistance? Maybe a little higher pitch when you try to
start it? How much mileage on the car since you changed the timing
belt?

In my experience when a car suddenly stops while driving, and refuses
to start, it is the timing belt.

Dave
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 A4 Avant 3L quit running while driving on the freeway! 

Flyingspur wrote in
_a05ccfe9bce71009dd8af0acada65bcd DeleteThis @autoboardz.com:

> My 2004 A4 quit running while driving on the freeway. Fuel pump fuse
> is ok, plenty of gas in tank, cranks normally.
>
> I cannot hear the fuel pump "prime" when I turn the key on. I
> disconnected the fuel line, cranked the motor but, no fuel at the
> disconnect.
>
> Any thoughts, anyone?
>

Have you run it real low on fuel? The pump uses the fuel in the tank to
disipate heat. Low fuel leads to an overheat and kills the in-tank pump.
Look at the pump first, a lot cheaper than a trashed timing belt.
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 A4 Avant 3L quit running while driving on the freeway! 

Flyingspur knastet i vei:
> My 2004 A4 quit running while driving on the freeway. Fuel pump fuse
> is ok, plenty of gas in tank, cranks normally.
>
> I cannot hear the fuel pump "prime" when I turn the key on. I
> disconnected the fuel line, cranked the motor but, no fuel at the
> disconnect.
>
> Any thoughts, anyone?
>

Sounds like the fuel pump. Eh, no sound from the pump, indicates
where the problem is. Due to climate change, CO2, heavy something,
whatever -- this small electrical pump may fail.

Had the same with my A4. First there were some /warnings/ - engine
almost stopped several times, then a short time afterwards - it died
on the highway. The tow-man used a hammer under the gas tank (right
under the pump), while I was cranking - when he hit with the hammer,
the engine was running. His diagnose came from experience.

Got my car towed back home, and started testing - took the pump out
from the gas tank and tested with a jump wire. For two minutes the
pump was spinning up, surely because of the bumps when removing,
then it was dead - forever.

Took an hour to replace. In fact, it could be done in 20 minutes,
if you're not nosy - "whats that, how about" etc.
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 A4 Avant 3L quit running while driving on the freeway! 

Steve Daniels wrote:
> On Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:22:16 -0500, against all advice, something
> compelled Flyingspur , to say:
>
>> My 2004 A4 quit running while driving on the freeway. Fuel pump fuse
>> is ok, plenty of gas in tank, cranks normally.
>>
>> I cannot hear the fuel pump "prime" when I turn the key on. I
>> disconnected the fuel line, cranked the motor but, no fuel at the
>> disconnect.
>>
>> Any thoughts, anyone?
>
>
> Magnets on the fuel line. Do you have one?

Do they draw the fuel along the fuel line?

Mike
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On Sep 2, 6:29 am, Dave LaCourse wrote:
> On Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:22:16 -0500, Flyingspur wrote:
> >My 2004 A4 quit running while driving on the freeway. Fuel pump fuse
> >is ok, plenty of gas in tank, cranks normally.
>
> Cranks normally....  Does it sound like the starter motor is not
> meeting much resistance?  Maybe a little higher pitch when you try to
> start it?  How much mileage on the car since you changed the timing
> belt?
>
> In my experience when a car suddenly stops while driving, and refuses
> to start, it is the timing belt.


But if he isn't getting fuel with the line disconnected, it's probably
a problem with the pump - a broken timing belt wouldn't cause you to
not get fuel, I don't believe.

What sort of sound should the fuel pump make when the car is started?
Not sure I've ever really heard it.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 A4 Avant 3L quit running while driving on the freeway! 

Dano58 knastet i vei:
> On Sep 2, 6:29 am, Dave LaCourse wrote:

>> In my experience when a car suddenly stops while driving, and refuses
>> to start, it is the timing belt.

Could be - a seldom time, but not for sure. Worst case - the engine
will not crank over at all, or just whining when cylinders doesn't
get compressed.

>
>
> But if he isn't getting fuel with the line disconnected, it's probably
> a problem with the pump - a broken timing belt wouldn't cause you to
> not get fuel, I don't believe.

You're right! The (electric) fuel pump works indepentenly.

>
> What sort of sound should the fuel pump make when the car is started?
> Not sure I've ever really heard it.

bzzzzzz, like a vibrating thing some girls use to have ... Then a
softer/lower sound when the gas line is filled and have normal
pressure. Eh, the fuel pump.
 >> Stay informed about: 2004 A4 Avant 3L quit running while driving on the freeway!