Ok, here's the scenario:

1998 C5 A4 with 34k on the odometer. Only mods are K&N FIPK and ZO6 Ti's. Rear wheel bearing and new calipers installed on Saturday. After this install I take the car to a local closed course for some straight line runs with other drivers. When I get to the starting line I go through my normal procedure for a quick tire warm-up/clean-off. Put the car in first gear, hold the brake down, and floor it. RPM's go up to 2k and then.......nothing. Car doesn't squat down and start to spin the tires. Brakes are not straining against the car's power. Nothing. Car feels absolutely dead! Like if I was missing 100 horsepower. I put the car in second and it does a burnout fine. Put it in third and the same thing....perfect burnout. I line up for a run with a CLK55. Car is really soft on lauch and first gear feels sluggish. CLK gets two car jump. Second and third feel about normal and I catch and pass him by about a car in the 1/4 mile.

We line up for another run and I again attempt a first gear burnout. Again I get nothing. Car stops at 2k RPM's. I guess the best way to describe it is like a "clogged cat" feeling or reduced power mode sensation. Put it in third and do a small burnout with no issues. Line up and I see the coolant temp creeping over 220. Hit it and first feels really slow. But now second and third are hurting too. CLK ends up taking my by about 3 to 4 cars in the 1/4 mile. Glance down at the gauges and coolant temp is at 230 and tranny temp is at 236. Throw on the a/c and cruise back to the staging lanes. Temp drops rapidly. I shut her down when the temp reaches 200 and tranny temp is at 206.

About two hours later we are all leaving. I start the car and everything is fine. Coolant and tranny temps are all normal. Car idles and runs fine. Try the first gear burnout once more for ***** and giggles as someone suggested it might have been too hot. Same thing......no go in first but fine in second and third. Drive home about an hour on the Turnpike with no issues. No codes from the DIC and nothing wrong upon visual inspection of fluids, belts, and underhood components.

Any guesses or suggestions? Anyone have a similar experience? Could it be the torque converter or first gear in the tranny going out? Any help would be appreciated.....

 

How long have you owned the car?

Have you even tried turning off Traction Control via that button on the console?

Ranger

 

Traction control was off. I tried a burnout when I first got the car with the TC left on accidentally and when it stops you because of traction control it's a TOTALLY different feeling. You feel the ABS pulsate and the engine sort of surge/stop. This is just like a "soft," dead feeling to the car in first gear only.......second and third are good to go. It really feels like something computer/electronics related versus a mechanical difficulty but I'm no mech. Any other suggestions?

 

ttt for the night crew...

 

Have you pulled the codes? If so, what were they.

Then I'd clear them, go out and do a 1st gear launch and then check the codes again.

If no codes show, then I'd put a tech2 on it and go for a ride.

Ranger

 

Ranger,

No codes.....and no Tech II available at the moment. I guess it means a trip to the local speed shop so I can have them scan it. thanks for the advice.