Problem with Audi A3 - Top speed randomly limited

[Sinizter]

We have a problem with our Audi A3.

While driving around - the last two times it was on the motorway - the car became speed limited to 60mph without the driver doing anything. Putting the accelerator to the floor does nothing ... No more power being delivered. Sometimes the limit then slowly decreases, making it impossible to go beyond 40mph or even lower on occasion.

To make it work properly again, we switched the ignition off, went through the procedure to reset the speed limit warning function on the car as per the manual and then drove off. On occasion the problem has recurred which was then again fixed by following the above procedure.

Does anyone know how it may be sorted out ? Or had any experience or heard about this problem ?

I will be contacting Audi shortly to have it checked out. But it might be quite difficult to explain it to them as the fault is intermittent and usually only turns up after driving for about 1.5-2 hours.

[matty-hodgson]

is it the soft-top convertible model? 2004?
apparently they had some problems with the electronics controlling their ignition timing and speed limiting on the 2004 Audi A3 soft-top convertible.. can't remember when or where i read about that.. but it was on a motoring forum a while ago.

[Barakka]

How old and what mileage ? You sure it's a limiter thing ?

Just sounds similar to something my old Fiat Bravo was doing when one of the injectors was starting to go.

Eventually went completely and needed a new injector and leads.

[kalniel]

There's a specific speed limit warning sign lighting up? Sounds like an electronic glitch then. That should be fully logged on-board so even if it's intermittent they should be able to pick it up just reading the logs.

[Sinizter]

2004 Audi A3 Sport 2.0 DSG 140hp - slightly under 16000 miles done.

There is no speed limit warning signs lighting up at any point. The manual does not really indicate that the speed limited can physically reduce your speeds - but only warn you when you are over the limit you set. Since no one else we know has an Audi, I cant verify this.

My wife felt that accelerator go slightly "soggy" or just give way slightly when this happened. After that, no more real power ... And impossible to go over 60. The engine sound also changed enough for us to notice ...

[Skii]

probably a coil failure, get it checked out, if so easily fixed.

[Sinizter]

probably a coil failure, get it checked out, if so easily fixed.

Ignition coil ? How would that affect that car while running and at speed?

Not very clued up with cars so I would appreciate a little more details. Thanks

[matty-hodgson]

2004 Audi A3 Sport 2.0 DSG 140hp - slightly under 16000 miles done.

sounds like the problem i quoted.. electronics failure.
you got a local Audi garage?
get them to take a look at it.. i'm pretty sure it'll be quite easily fixed by them just plugging in their computer and just 'updating'.

good luck mate

[Sinizter]

Googled the ignition coil failure thing - the symptoms seem more like those. But it could be the electronics.

Thanks for the help - will get in touch with the dealers.

[Barakka]

Does sound like an ignition problem, my Fiat needed one new injector, new leads and an ECU reset, but it had got 120k on the clock.

Being a Volkswagen brand and the age it is, coil pack would be most likely.

[SHare]

Its not electronics, the speed warning doesn't limit the cars speed, its just a warning. It'll be coil packs, your best replacing them all though, once one goes they all go soon after.

[J4MES]

dsg related is my guess (mechatronic what-not) - same thing happened when i test-drove one. suffice to say i didn't buy it...

[J4MES]

Its not electronics, the speed warning doesn't limit the cars speed, its just a warning. It'll be coil packs, your best replacing them all though, once one goes they all go soon after.

only one coil pack iirc

[Sinizter]

only one coil pack iirc

Each piston has one coil from what I read online ... So can be between 4-6 depending on engine size etc. I think the 2.0 TDi has 4. Unless you mean that a coil pack = all coils.

[Sinizter]

dsg related is my guess (mechatronic what-not) - same thing happened when i test-drove one. suffice to say i didn't buy it...

We did try manual shifting of the DSG gear box - seems to work fine at lower speeds.

[filbert]

Each piston has one coil from what I read online ... So can be between 4-6 depending on engine size etc. I think the 2.0 TDi has 4. Unless you mean that a coil pack = all coils.

If it's a TDi then it aint got any.