96 Audi A4 squeaking and sounds like its running on diesel

Question

I have a 96 Audi A4 with 109,600k miles on it. The car makes a squeaking sound, similar to jumping on a squeaky bed, when I'm driving. It's really loud and obnoxious, are there any suggestions other than replacing the shocks (which would cost about what the car is worth)?

Also, when I start the car up and while it is running it sounds like a school bus or tractor trailer (the rumbling/rattling sound of a diesel vehicle). Some people say its the muffler, others say its the catatylic converter.. I personally have no idea. It just passed inspection in April, so I'm assuming the car is safe?

Finally, my speedometer only works about every 6 times I turn on the car, and if it is working and I turn the car off - the next few times I start it up, it won't work again. I've bought a GPS to use as a speedometer, but I know its not broken because it works every once in awhile. Also, my thermostat digital display blinks and sometimes goes blank unless I turn up/down the temp. or fan control. Whats the deal?

Answer 1

as far as your squeking goes it could be just the struts and there are plenty of places to buy aftermarket parts out there that wont be to bad on your pocket.  if the car still runs good its probably worth puting the money in it because 109600 is nothing on a audi, it should be good for atleast 4-500000 miles if properly maintained,struts and other normal wearing parts are just part of the life of mechanical machines, as far as the diesel sound goes it might need the valves ajusted and i would get the timing belt change first. u probably just have some loose conections on the other stuff, speed-temp.  take it to some one who specialize's in foreing cars and have them check it out.

Answer 2

Could be the AC belt. Same thing happen to me. Either that or the rotation belt. Of course, it could be somthing else, but the AC belt is the most common.

Answer 3

I  also have a 96 A4 and had the same problem.  I've had 5 Audi's and each one has had uniques problems.  I've done my own work on all of them and made one actually get 425,000 miles on it before I got rid of it ('87 4000CSQ).   The diesel sound is probably coming from the cats.  The cores make that noise when they start breaking apart.

The squeaks could come from worn control arms, sway bar connectors, bad shock mounts.  You didn't say whether the sound seems to be coming from the front or back.  Sway bar bushing could be worn or need oiling.

Could be loose connections on the speedometer/thermostat control.  Audi is known for electrical problems, etc. Sounds like your car needs some TLC.

Drop me a line, I might have another solution for you.

Good luck!