What is the purpose of this list?

[Mark Besso]

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Tyson,

I feel your pain - really I do.  On the other hand, it would seem to me that
your very first purchase after getting a vintage Audi should've been the
corresponding Bentley manual.  Anyone that wants to work on their [older]
Audi should have one.....or access to one.  Period!

As I sold my 4KQ Bentley after the car was destroyed I cannot help you with
the picture you need.  As you noted, there doesn't seem to be anyone else
leaping up to help with a copy from their Bentley.  Your next step should be
to contact the shop that caused these problems and ask THEM to fix it.  If
they're not willing to, or you don't want to deal with them, then you better
start calling other VW/Audi repair shops in your area 'til you find one that
has a Bentley for that year/model.  You could even check the local library
to see if they have a Bentley you can copy pages from.

When I've asked for help from this list the response has been varied.  Once,
while on a cross-country trip, I damaged a strut bearing on a particularly
large pothole.  There were offers from members all along the way with
replacement parts and places to repair the vehicle.  I lost less than 6
hours from the trip which was pretty impressive considering it also required
the purchase of (4) tires and a complete alignment.  Conversely, when I
asked for advice and/or assistance with a problem related to the sunroof
operation I heard virtual crickets!  Nothing...nada...zippo!  It seems to be
a gamble as to which maladies this list chimes in with real, honest help.

Good luck,
Mark



-----Original Message-----
From: Tyson Varosyan
Subject: What is the purpose of this list?

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Hi guys,

I am a bit frustrated and want to vent. A few days ago, after resurrecting
my 4kq I ran into problems with my diff locks that were caused by the
mechanic that did the clutch job. Although my first inquires about the
center diff lock got helpful responses (directing me where I can find the
control rod) my subsequent requests for help were pretty much brushed aside.


Anyone that has done work on the tranny likely knows that for whatever
reason everything (shifting linkages, clutch cylinders and this diff switch)
are very inaccessible. It is obvious that a vacuum solenoid is going to have
2 nipples and that pressure-vacuum on the diaphragm inside is what makes the
control rod move. (stating that the sky is blue and the sun is yellow does
not help me guys!) What would be helpful is some sort of a drawing showing
how things are down there. I am going solely by feel with my hand twisted
into shapes not intended for the human body and with all the garbage in that
small area it is hard to tell what is what. Having a drawing of what I am
supposed to be feeling, would help a great deal! I would guess that the
vacuum lines are color-coded and correspond to the switch inside the cabin
(which would help troubleshoot etc.) - THIS information is useful! My
indicator light for the center diff is also not working. I found a 2-pin
sensor-type-thing and 2 wires that were not long enough to stretch to it - I
am guessing that this is the sensor. Indecently, my reverse lights are not
working either. In the process of trying to work the wires free, I tore one
of them. The harness dives somewhere between the car body and tranny and
disappears. A diagram of the wiring for this system would be helpful in
figuring out how I can re-run some new wires for this sensor, etc.

Guys, here is the thing. I know that we are busy and it's not like I am
paying for the help or that anyone here owes me something. It's just that we
will get 20+ post tirades going about American vs German cars, Ford vs
Chevy, Audi vs Volvo, but when a genuine topic (that I have no doubt many of
you are informed about) comes up, I get a few responses to the tune of,
"check the nipples on the actuator". It is not for lack of trying to find a
diagram (and I could have sworn that I saw a hand-drawn one at some point
online), but I really need one! The whole reason that I just spent almost
$1000 to revive a car that is worth $500-800, is so that I can play with a
traction-locked drivetrain.

As I am sure many here, I work 80-90 hours per week, but I also belong to
this and some other online car lists. I take time to help people when I can
and if it takes 20-30 minutes to type something up that will be helpful, I
very often do it - if not for the questioner's sake, then to have it in the
archive. I really need some help here guys. Can someone PLEASE scan a few
pages from a manual or take a camera to the garage, or something! I want my
diff lock to work!

Tyson Varosyan