Re: audi coupe gt

[ejfluhr@ulc231.residence.gatech.edu]

Mike,

> I have a problem with the front left hand side of my car.  I am 
> suspicious of the cv joints as nearly every time that I accelerate, turn, 
> stop, or hit a bump, there is a sound like a spring being broken right 
> under the hood.  I have had it suggested that it is possibly the lower 
> control arm, having worn bushings, clanking around down there.  I hope 
> that it is just the joint as the control arm was quoted at over 600 
> dollars.

I had a similar problem.  I think a combination of items fixed it.
First, I replaced the front struts and strut bearings (w/ Boge Turbo
Gas).  That reduced the problem a bit, but I would still hear the
sound when turning while backing up, and then moving forward again.
Replacing/repacking the CV joints did not solve the problem.  In the
end, the control arm bushings did the trick.  I haven't heard any
sound from the front end since I replaced them last summer.

> Second,  the coolant light is constantly flashing regardless of 
> the amount of coolant in the tank.  

I would certainly suspect the cooland switch.  You might try pulling
the connector off of the switch, and manually making & breaking contact
while someone in the car tells you if it goes off.  It should be a very
simple circuit, so not much can go wrong.  If I had my Bentley, I'd
look it up, but I left it in the car (a 10 minute walk, one-way).
If you don't solve this problem within two weeks, let me know and I
can diagram the circuit for you.

> Third, the temp and fuel gauges only work part of the time.

Gee, I have this same problem.  :-)
I don't know what year car you have, so I cannot say for sure.  I have
an '85 with the analog gauges, and my problem is (I'm 90% sure) the
blue printed circuit board/plastic sheet on the back of the cluster that
connects all the gauges to the rest of the car.  It could have a short
or intermittent contact that is causing the problem.  Mine was quite
corroded, and one of the wires was burned up, breaking contact.  You
might want to pull the top cover off and look at the back side of the
instrument cluster to see what condition it is in.
I don't know if the digital dash has the same setup, though.

>  Fourth, (I don't think that it is electrical) the 
> speedometer and odometer have stopped working after a very large bronco 
> hit my front fender going 45 mph.  

If you have an analog dash, does the speedometer cable spin where it
enters the speedometer?  That will tell you where the problem is.
Again, if your dash is digital, I have no clue.  

I'm leaving for spring break tomorrow, but I'll be back in 1 1/2 weeks if
you want any more information.

Later,
Eric


Eric J. Fluhr                    gt6493c@prism.gatech.edu :: Georgia Tech!
http://ulc231.residence.gatech.edu/                      '85 Audi Coupe GT
"Those who strive for the very best in life, very often achieve it."  Unknown