Anyone ever feel sad about junking a cat?

[Ou2mame]

So I have a 96 Audi a4 that I got about 10 years ago... And now I have to junk it. Perfectly running car with very few issues. One of those issues is that the obd2 can't be read, so I can't inspect it in new york, which means I can't re-register it.

My mechanic had it for 4 days and couldn't figure it out. My audi mechanic charges over a hundred an hour for diagnostic work and its just not worth it to take that gamble. I put it on cl to see if anyone's up to the challenge but I don't think anyone's gonna bite. It just sucks throwing away a car that runs great because of stupid regulations. One year older and I wouldn't have to worry about it. Anyways, I'm just venting really. I don't know what I'm gonna do with all the parts and wheels I have for it. I have 3 sets of snow tires alone.

I hate the government. What's worse for the environment, my car running as good as it was new, or burying it in a ditch to pollute the ground water... And what about the amount of carbon emitted during the manufacturing of my next car?

....I really wish I could edit the title haha damn auto correct

 

[Sonata Dusk]

I had to click on this just to see what "junking a cat' meant . . . lol.

 

[Mediumrarechicken]

It's stupid how the gov does this, it's a perfectly useable car.

Sounds like your mechanic has a crappy scan tool/doesn't deal with Audi often. Audi is a finicky brand, it's best to suck it up and hit the dealer. Honestly it won't take long for them to do a diag.

I don't understand how it can't read obd2. Is this mechanic a single guy or a well known operation? Thing with a single guy shop is he can only rack his brain, so what he thinks is as far as it goes. I'd rather pay 200 bucks than have my car off the road for 4 days.

 

[Ou2mame]

I took it a very well respected indy audi shop and they couldnt track it down. They didn't charge me tou much, but couldn't find the cause. I have a vagcom cable and I've been working on it for months. I've had people look at it, nobody could track it down. The port has power and ground and the data wires are connected. I bought an 04 volvo xc90 to hold me over, but this really sucks. I know this car inside out. But realistically it's not worth it to throw a bunch of money into it tracking down the problem. If I lived in PA, I wouldn't have to worry. I wouldn't care if they hooked up a smog machine, but this computer .... is annoying..

My current mechanic has been working on my car since i got it. It's a shop with 4 or 5 guys. His cousin has my car, same year and everything, and he used to work there up until last year. Anyways, they know the car very well. But i have had other people look at it too. Nobody can figure it out. It just sucks that this beuecratic nonsense is making me toss out a perfectly good car. I tried to get a waiver, because there is a law saying that if I spend more than 450 to fix it they will waive the inspection for a year, but my mechanic is already in court for 2 other infractions, and no other shop is willing to process a waiver. I went to the dmv, I called the dec, I went to every shop in town and everyone either plays dumb, is dumb, or is already in trouble with the inspection police.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

A computer issue I would think. Replacing the computer should fix the problem. Either that or a wiring issue. Most mechanics are poor at electrical/electronics.

 

[Robert Cromwell]

The wiring issue if it is that should be with the diag connector itself or with the wires between it and the computer.
If you love the car enough you could move to another state

 

[Rossum]

2.8L V6? The Hitachi ECUs used on the 1996 and 1997 2.8L 12V V6 engines re known to be a bit weird.

Don't junk it. If it's in decent shape, put it on eBay and sell it to someone who lives in a state that doesn't have such strict regulations. Some states will allow a tail-pipe test on 1996 and 1997 models because they realize that the first two years that OBD-II was required were difficult at best for some of the manufacturers. Other states (and regions) have no mandatory testing at all.

 

[Ou2mame]

I replaced the ecu and still have the same issue. It is the Hitachi ecu. There's a k-wire, the diagnostic connection between the tranny ecu, climate control, airbag module, and abs, and there may be a short in the wiring harness behind the dash somewhere between any of those but I checked it all and it checked out. My audi friend took a look and couldn't find the problem either. I do love the car but I'm already past due on inspection and I can't register it without inspection. It's at my sisters house now cause I can't park it at my apartment without plates, so I'll keep trying til someone buys it. But it's not looking good

 

[Maseratilife89]

5spd? If so I'll come get it! I'll pay you a good price.

 

[ckquatt]

Man! I thought I was going to have to report you to the ASPCA!!! You're talking about a caR!

Whew!

Carry on!

 

[Ou2mame]

It's an auto I was looking for a stick but ended up finding that 10 years ago. Wanna come get it anyways? It's in long Island I know a guy who has a whole 5spd setup with matching rear differential

 

[Maseratilife89]

What you want for it bro? I'm very interested! Drives good?

 

[Ou2mame]

Well I've got a guy offering me 750. It's got brand new suspension. All the arms. New heater core too! It drives great. I just can't justify spending more money to fix it. I just bought a Volvo xc90 anyways,so it's sitting at my sisters house.

 

[inspects]

So I have a 96 Audi a4 that I got about 10 years ago... And now I have to junk it. Perfectly running car with very few issues. One of those issues is that the obd2 can't be read, so I can't inspect it in new york, which means I can't re-register it.

My mechanic had it for 4 days and couldn't figure it out. My audi mechanic charges over a hundred an hour for diagnostic work and its just not worth it to take that gamble. I put it on cl to see if anyone's up to the challenge but I don't think anyone's gonna bite. It just sucks throwing away a car that runs great because of stupid regulations. One year older and I wouldn't have to worry about it. Anyways, I'm just venting really. I don't know what I'm gonna do with all the parts and wheels I have for it. I have 3 sets of snow tires alone.

I hate the government. What's worse for the environment, my car running as good as it was new, or burying it in a ditch to pollute the ground water... And what about the amount of carbon emitted during the manufacturing of my next car?

....I really wish I could edit the title haha damn auto correct

I had an A4.....never again....same madness.

 

[Maseratilife89]

I'll throw 900 at you?

 

[Ou2mame]

If this guy doesn't buy it today it's yours. Seriously. I need rid of it and I hate letting cars sit.