7A lost all power and doesn't start anymore

[Sleeper_Avant]

You are looking into AFR`s too much if its spark related, but mega rich is usually an early sign of ignition parts failing

i see loads of cars every day that fail idle cat tests due to crap plug leads or failing coils/plugs

[Kyzyl]

Thanks for the link, I'll try giving a look in a bit. I'll get another distributor from a friend of mine.

[Kyzyl]

Changed the stupid distributor, still doesn't frigging start. I'm about to give up.

[newsh]

Maybe the timing has slipped, have you checked that the timing marks all line up? You need to get the zero (0) mark lined up in the bell housing window and then check that the cams and dizzy are spot on.

Has the car got a vac line to the Fuel Pressure Regulator? If not then that could explain it running lean on boost.

[Kyzyl]

Do you have any clue on how to properly check for it? I'm pretty much of a visual guy.

[Kyzyl]

I was looking at wires and stuff when I came over something, don't know if it can be related to my problem but I'll post it.

The A plug simply has NOTHING on it, what is it?

[Kyzyl]

While I'm here, posting a pic:

[Kyzyl]

She does look mean, but she ain't running ='(

[mcandmar]

I was looking at wires and stuff when I came over something, don't know if it can be related to my problem but I'll post it.

The A plug simply has NOTHING on it, what is it?

On a late model 7A (1990 onwards) it should connect to the front of the throttle body beside the idle adjustment screw. Pre 1990 cars were plumbed a little differently so i dont know for sure, but i think it connected to the port on the rear of the throttle body.

[Cottis]

A long shot and not even sure it is the same on your slightly later version?? but I used to have an old Audi CQ 10v on I think an 89 plate. I had very similar problems to you. One day it literally would not start. Quickly found there was no spark, investigated the usual diz cap/leads/plugs/timing etc and went as far as sourcing a new dizzy just to check. Same, wouldn't start. In the end, a South African Auto Electrician told me to check behind the drivers side footwell cowling. In my old CQ car, the FEI module is located under here. It is a small pinned electrical plug in component. He took it away and tested it, called me and said it was knackered, ordered me a new one and it ran perfect immediately. Took over 3 weeks to suss out and easily the most annoying audi problem I've had. I recall getting "some" change out of a hundred quid for the part and my car had done approx 160k from memory when the FEI mod went south. Hope you find out what it is.

[mcandmar]

^ had similar fun with a 10v before, the ignition and fueling are two separate ECU's in those cars, even though they are mechanical fuel injection they still have an ECU to fine tune things and control idle etc. The ignition module is what gave me grief as it just refused to do anything with a faulty temperature sensor plugged into it, took me a while of head scratching to figure that one out.

7A is a very different beast in that its full electronic fuel injection, if the ecu sees a signal from the crank trigger and engine speed sensor it should do its thing. It should also (depending on age) be able to communicate with vagcom and give you some clue as to what the issue is. To be honest if the above hose is disconnected you have a very large vacuum leak, wouldn't surprise me at all if it was enough to prevent it starting.

[newsh]

Give us a pic of the engine bay, so we can see what we're dealing with.

[Kyzyl]

I'll manage to get some tonight.

[Kyzyl]

I found it unplugged, it's a rather large ground wire, I put it aside where it comes from on the picture.

From another point of view.

This little vaccum was unplugged, replugging it didn't fix the problem.

This plug always been unplugged, don't know what it is used for.

This is the breather hose plug that has nothing on it.

I guess it is where she should be going. I asked the guy who worked on my car and he said that hose which was supposed to be here was useless on my car.

And here's my engine bay.

[Kyzyl]

http://s875.photobucket.com/albums/ab316/kyzyl123/?action=view&current=WP_20120710_232034Z.mp4

Cranking the car, he's jumping or I don't know how you call this. Wasn't doing it the moment it broke down, after I tried replacing the distributor it started doing this weird thing. Hope I didn't mess up anything.