Re: Ur Quattro HELP!

[Brett N Augsburger <augsbbn@eng.auburn.edu>]

On Wed, 29 Nov 1995, Gerry Haney wrote:

> Ailing vehicle:
> 
> 1983 Ur Quattro
> 
> On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, I was cruising down hiway 280 
> (SF Bay Area) at approx 80mph and the Seat Belt Warning Lamp began to 
> flash.  The flashing became more rapid and the lamp intensity 
> increased.  Eventually, after about 2 minutes, the lamp stayed on and 
> about 2 minutes after that the engine and electrical systems ceased to 
> function!  I was unable to restart the car, so the tow truck was 
> summoned.  On Monday & Tuesday the trusty mechanics at Anderson-Behel 
> attempted to ascertain the cause of the malfunction.  They were unable 
> to trouble shoot the symptoms and resorted to borrowing a variety of 
> components from a fellow Ur Quattro owner.  After much substitution 
> they have determined the following components need to be replaced:

  Don't know how much I can help, but I had something similar happen 
in my 5000CSTQ (on the interstate, 200 miles from home, in a 
thunderstorm, and at night, of course). Some of my warning gauges came 
on, and then a few minutes later all functions ceased. My problem was 
only an alternator belt. I would thorougly check the charging system if I were 
you. It sounds like it might be a simple charging problem. Oh yeah, the 
voltage indicator light on my car didn't come on until the last minute.


> > ECU                       $1738.00
> Hall Sensor                 160.05
> Ignition Control Module     237.25
> Relay                       100.65
> Battery Cable                37.55
> 
> Labor       `               504.00
> 
  Hmmm, looks like someones trying to save up for Christmas presents. 
Sounds completely ridiculous to me, unless something completely fried 
your entire electrical system. The first three items on that list would 
all give obvious problems if truly faulty each by themselves. You also 
said the car would not start. I assume you mean it wouldn't crank? How 
would any of these parts (except maybe battery cable) cause your car not 
to turn-over? Find another mechanic, these guys sound real suspicious!

> The question that I have is:  "Does it seem likely that all of these 
> components failed at the same time?

No
 
> If so, what could have possibly caused this to happen?

After much deliberation I have came up with several theories:

Theory 1:
Last time car was in this mechanics shop, the aforementioned items were 
each modified to self-destruct via remote detonation at the mechanics 
discretion. By modifying subsequent vehicles, the mechanics have 
devoloped a system where they can determine when a customer brings a car 
in, ensuring constant, steady business.

Theory 2:
When mechanics were swapping out parts to determine which were faulty 
they accidently, or maybe purposely, destroyed your parts.

Theory 3:
The customer with the other Quattro bought your good parts and exchanged his.

>  Anybody out there have working components that 
> they are willing to sell?  According to the Kelly Blue Book the car is 
> only worth about $8k so it does not make much sense to to put over 1/3 
> of the value into parts for it.  I know, I know -- we do it because we 
> love the cars!  But, I would like to make it as painless as possible!
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Gerry Haney
> 
> Voice (after 6:00p)  (408) 248-4185
> 


Brett Augsburger
86 5000CSTQ