88 S4 Auto.

I could say 'WTF' and see what neat theories come up..

But all she has to do is tap on the CE panel cover, and I lose the engine.

All other electrics work fine, just instant complete engine stall.


I dont think its fuel pump relay..that takes a short moment to sputter out...this is instant off engine.


I have a stack of new #53 relays..and its allllmost time to pull the car down for a spell, to do a few things, including the CE panel work.

Just thought I'd pass this fun learning along.

 

Well if you will let me know what it is when you find it, I want to document it and sell it to guys that would rather go for a rip alone.

I might have to mount a kill switch under her seat. he he

 

lol took the wife for a drive in the mts, points on the 911 burned out. Wife scared the car will get us stranded, re gapped the points, got home put in a pertronixs system, and leave the wife at home now!

 

Instant stall, maybe cps?

 

Nah..if she taps the wood over the CE panel in -1- spot, it dies...then its fine on restart.

Kinda funny "Honey...dont tap there, ok?"

 

The exact same thing happened to S4ordie's '90 near the end of its refresh. Greg ended up pulling the CE panel to discover a PO-bodged FP fuse socket and piggybacked inline fuse holder that was corroded enough to go intermittent when the wood cover pushed on the wiring. Might be time to move that CE panel refresh up the to-do list.

 

I'd check to make sure the fuel injection harness isn't getting crushed, pinched, or have a short. The good news is it is reproducable.

 

Where is the spot she pushes to kill it? Near the ECU's? Check the ignition monitoring system relay is seated properly (its the clear one mounted on the frame that holds the EZ-K and LH). If that isn't connected, ignition no worky - its the most likely candidate I can think of to cause that, ahead of a really busted up harness from alarm installs as a close second.

If you haven't pulled the CE panel out yet, do it - remove all fuses, clean all contacts, inspect all the wires on the back of the panel, make sure all grounds are bolted to the ground points, etc. etc. - then use a fuse chart to put the correctly rated fuses back into the car too.. chances are a bunch of yours are rated too high due to PO laziness.

 

Hi Hilton , I think from memory the ignition monitoring system is from the 1989 year type ?

 

Try replacing the whole unit and if the new one doesn't cause this problem, you're good.

Wait, are you attached to her?

 

Oops, yep correct - I thought the OP had an '89 from previous threads but you're right he has an '88.

 

Dude, this is an easy one... you have back seats!

 

leave the wife at home. Problem solved.

 

remove the CE cover lower wood portion see if one or more of the harness wires are shorted to the CE panel uprights,
this can be catastrophic if left to continue

 

Bout the location of the ignition system relay location, to be specific.