Erasing Falt Memory '88 80Q

[Huw Powell]

> OK,Re: Bently page D2-125-1 "Permanent Fault Memory, Erasing"
> Can someone give me the correct procedure for doing this? I have a
> 'California Car" but from what I hear, all 88's were California Cars.
>
> The Bently sez....
>
> 1. Insert fuse in top of fuel pump relay with ignition off
> 2. Turn ignition on
> 3. Wait at least 4 seconds and remove fuse
> 4. Repeat this step three times until indicator flashes code 4443. (OK, this
> is the first place I get confused, when you 'repeat this step three times'
> do you leave the ignition ON all the time? or do you go back to the beginning
> each time and shut the ignition off?
>
> Now without any other comment they say that ....
>
> 5. A signal should appear that comes on for 2.5 seconds, and goes off 2.5
> seconds repeatedly .....(but if the indicator is already flashing 4443
> something else has to be done to get it to flash on and off for 2.5 sec
> ???????)
>
> 6. Reinsert fuse in top of fuel pump relay
> 7. Wait at least 10 seconds then remove fuse
> 8. If the fault memory now stays on (they must mean OFF) continuously, you
> have successfully cleared the fault memory.......BS!
>
> Please help me with the correct procedure

Jim,

I recently played with the fault codes in my '89 90Q, which should be
identical to the setup on your car.

They are volatile - turn off the key, and no codes remain.

To read them, drive the car, do whatever it takes to get whatever code
you think you might be getting (this usually means get the coolant
warm/hot, and bury the pedal in a couple of gears at a few different
rpms).

Then do not turn the car off.

With it still running, take a spare fuse and jump the FPR for that 4
seconds, then remove it.  I think this does seem to need to be done 2 or
3 times in succession, which is a pain, as that is an awkward location.

Then the check engine light (often not installed at the factory - does
yours light up when you first turn the key "on"?) will flash out any
codes stored.  4-4-4-4 is the signal for there being none.

To make this easier, you either make a harness that plugs into the FPR
with a switch on it, or see if you have the little code reading sockets
under the drivers knee panel - a similar harness could be installed to
them, and neatly made into a permanent installation with a discreet
little switch.  Then you can check for codes any time, without even
getting out of the car.

hope this helps somewhat...

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/