Car starts and runs great for 30 to 60 seconds, then goes unbeleivably rich and dies. Flags the P0243 code (turbo wastegate solenoid malfunction).The valve checks fine as does the the connection. Found several rotted vacuum lines and replaced. Still no change. I know this code is trying to tell me something? but I don't see the connection with the wastegate making it run rich? (also has unusual exhaust odor?) Does anyone have a clue whats going on?

 

Check your CBV it maybe worn out. Also check to see if your wastegate is ok. It may need to be replaced.

Also check your turbo hoses.

 

Ditto on the turbo hoses.
Sounds like you have a very big vaccum leak.

 

All you 98 T5 owners pay attention to this one! If your car posts the p0243 code and refuses to idle and bucks and kicks when you try to drive it ( not to mention the BAD rotten egg converter smell ) save yourself alot of headaches, buy a new M.A.F. I know it doesn't make sense, but this is the 3rd case of this erroneous p0243 fault code that I've found in my research ( after checking every vacuum hose, wastegate control solenoid and everything else I could think of) Every case was on a 98, all had the same symptoms ( some would finally flag a p0103 fault if you kept flogging the engine to try to keep it lit ) and all were magically and totally fixed by a M.A.F. replacement. If you can pull the MAF connecter off and clean up the idle (it will still stink like the dickens) then you have run across the same problem. Thanks for trying fella's If you know someone with this set of problems pass this info on.