interesting enough I tried an idea I had this morning. I went out and took the old ASV that I took off the car and placed it on the top of the engine. I then unplugged the connector from the insalled new ASV. I started the car and then shut it off. The old ASV swept shut/open/then shut open. I tried this a couple times then I plugged the connector back into the new installed part and started the car. After shut down I could her the ASV sweep closed and open, closed and open. I tried just turning the key but not starting the car. When I shut the key off I can hear the ASV working several times. Also you hear like a buzzing of some sort almost sounds like a faint tone/sound buzzing while the ASV is sweeping. When it finishes then buzzing stops simultaneously.
Also, once I performed this test, I was now able to clear the fault code with VAGCom. It had gotten to a point where I could not clear the code at all.
I don't know what all this means right now but it does tell me a few things.
1. I don't have to start the engine to hear the ASV working.
2. I know exactly what it sounds like now so I know what to listen for.
3. I know the new ASV (and the old ASV) are working properly.
So I think that I continue to narrow it to some kind of wiring problem. probably not a ground problem because it is intermitant, unless it's a chafed ground wire?
What do you guys think?