Bad thing solved!

[WARATAP@aol.com]

I wrote:

<<...Engine cutting out while accelerating, no trans downshifts, check engine
light coming on, staying on, then turning off again.  When on, car whould not
downshift (staying in 3rd gear like limp-home mode).  Hooked up timing light
to each plug wire -O.K.  Let car sit overnight, drove first thing this
morning, and everything seemed O.K.  Had breakfast, and then problem started
all over again as I drove to work!  Any Ideas?  Seems like fuel cutoff when
accelerating, then back on again (poss Hall sending unit?).  I'd like to
check it over again when I get home tonight before I have to bring it into
the shop.  Where are the hall sending units on this engine, anyway.  Any help
would be much appreciated.>>

So I get to report on my own query:

Problem didn't go away, so since I had to run across town anyway I stopped by
my favorite Audi tech's shop and he hooked up the 1551? code reader.  After
clearing out the codes, the one that wouldn't clear was wide open throttle
switch -grounded.(THE one I hadn't checked, being somewhat tucked out of the
way underneath the Coolant hose but still attached to the throttle body up
front).  He unhooked the connector and there was visible corrosion on one of
the contacts and standing water in the switch connector receptacle!  Probably
not the first time water got in there, due to the plastic sheathing having
backed out from the protective rubberconnector boot.  Some pressurized air
and contact de-oxidizer?/cleaner and she runs like new.

I haven't seen any responses yet, but if you run into the same situation, you
might want to check your WOT switch.

Ingo