Faulty Haldex control Unit

[Richbod]

Hi, My ESP light comes on as soon as I reach @ 10MPH and stays on, Audi tested and said it's the Haldex Control Unit, quoted £800 odd to fit new one, Has anyone else had a problem with this ? wondered if it was a common fault. Also I've noticed a slight roughness in the transmission when I decelerate around 80 MPH in top ( not in this country of course !) but smooth at other speeds, The car seems to go through a vibration point, has anyone else experienced this, and would it have anything to do with the Haldex CU ? Any help much appreciated - Rich

 

[thegoal007]

If that was me I would want to know exactly what error or errors showed up - after all you probably paid for the diagnosis.
or check it yourself with vagcom.
With regards to vibration - could be a simple balancing problem on your alloys ?

 

[Chlippo]

euuh...i dont know if i am getting you right, but if it the the haldex controller for 800...then get a performance one for around 550 i think!

 

[thegoal007]

euuh...i dont know if i am getting you right, but if it the the haldex controller for 800...then get a performance one for around 550 i think!

And my point is.....is this really the faulty item ? Unless there is a definite error showing the haldex controller failure I would not change it. Most problems, in that ball part/area are always diagnosing by Audi as the haldex controller if no error is showing on vagcom and the question is how many then go on to replace other parts to rectify the problem ?
it's just a pity Audi do not guarantee it, but I suppose if they did they would simply say you had multiple problems !

But do agree with your above comments if another controller was required.

 

[Richbod]

£800 would include fitting and change Haldex oil & filter, Don't have facilities to do any of that myself. - I don't think the vibration is wheel balancing - it's a definite rumble through the gearstick - It's only done 16000 miles - and seems better now I've used it a few times , so maybe not used enough if thats possible.

 

[thegoal007]

I still maintain you really need to find out whether there is a specific error showing up on the haldex controller and it's not just an educated guess by Audi.

 

[Richbod]

Thanks very much for the advice, I will look into getting it checked with vagcom

 

[s3dave]

£800 would include fitting and change Haldex oil & filter, Don't have facilities to do any of that myself. - I don't think the vibration is wheel balancing - it's a definite rumble through the gearstick - It's only done 16000 miles - and seems better now I've used it a few times , so maybe not used enough if thats possible.

16000 ? gearbox or car...

 

[Richbod]

Car - 1 owner for 10 years - 16000 miles, engine still feels a bit 'tight' and all like new - bodywork, interior etc but for this haldex problem .

 

[jojo]

Car - 1 owner for 10 years - 16000 miles, engine still feels a bit 'tight' and all like new - bodywork, interior etc but for this haldex problem .

You've owned the car for 10 years and only just managed to join this forum? 16k miles though, that's proper low, it's awesome infact! I take it @10 years old, it's a prefacelift? pics please.

 

[Richbod]

Hi, No I've just joined because I bought the car a couple of weeks ago , always wanted one - Have had 2 Mk4 GTI's 1.8T and like the engine/platform. This came up in unbelievable condition and miles - But True!! I'll get some pics on soon,

 

[jojo]

Hi, No I've just joined because I bought the car a couple of weeks ago , always wanted one - Have had 2 Mk4 GTI's 1.8T and like the engine/platform. This came up in unbelievable condition and miles - But True!! I'll get some pics on soon,

Ahh, fair enough, so you are the 2nd owner, I'm curious how much you paid for it now.

 

[Deleted member 47221]

I have the same problem mate! Long story took my car for a £99 service audi crashed the car on the rear. anyway after alot off arguin cars fixed unto our standard, apart from electronic clicking that sounds like it's coming from te rear diff. Audi have had "a look" but because they think they haven't caused any damage there not prepared to spend time on it. But report says faulty haldex control unit, and corroded wires!! My ESP light does the same as yours, but audi think that the steering wheel which is slightly out of aligment is the cause of the ESP light.... Well now I've found out the price I can see why they don't wanna admit liability. Whilst finding out the price I also found out audi have never sold a control unit.

 

[thegoal007]

I still maintain when it comes to Audi's report - Has VAGCOM actually shown a Haldex controller error ? or is it just their belief it could be that ? Also here is a classic example of what I have been saying one dealer says the esp light coming on could be steering wheel alignment and yet the initial poster's dealer told him it's the haldex control unit. Unless there is a specific error - then they are guesssing.
It's fair enough to make a good educated guess, but I would add there could be other reasons which never seem to get a mention....well, not initally.
My PC is not booting up - oh it must be a faulty PSU, or it could be the motherboard, memory, disk ?
I do not understand why their is not a comprehensive direct Haldex controller tester unit - to test it in isolation and not via VAGCOM.
The comprison I draw here with a pc is that you can stick a psu tester directly on it and check voltages, general health, etc. Having a diagnostic card on the motherboard may not show the problem.

 

[Richbod]

Well I had the Haldex controller replaced,and oil & filter, no more light and seems to work well, at least if Audi do it you get 2 years parts & labour warranty... I read on here someone had problems with the back wheels locking momentarily when reversing into gaps on full lock and that he was told about the Haldex Cu - well I had that before, and now I don't. --- However I still get a slight vibration... If I accelerate at 80 it's smooth, hold on a steady throttle or ease off gently it's smooth, but occasionally when you snap the throttle back you get a slight rumble through the back - can be felt through the gearstick...but only at that speed - I know I am fussy and maybe they all do it ... I am used to Mk4 GTI's FWD .... I didn't ask Audi - I thought I'd run it for a while and see if gets worse and tackle it at the next service. Anyone else get this?

 

[Deleted member 47221]

Thats my exact problem mate! So what was the final bill at audi??

I've just had my cam chain temsioner and cam chain done at audi Stockport (which thy broke.) only to be called up that they've managed to bend four valves JOKE

 

[Deleted member 47221]

Sorry not the rumble I have a electrical clicking an clunk noise when reversing on full lock!.. Let us know ASAP as need to find the funds until take audi to court....

 

[thegoal007]

Richbod, will you be driving the car regularly or will it be staying very low mileage ?
I bet you left with a much lighter wallet from Audi, so much so you must have thought they stole it !

 

[jojo]

Well I had the Haldex controller replaced,and oil & filter, no more light and seems to work well, at least if Audi do it you get 2 years parts & labour warranty... I read on here someone had problems with the back wheels locking momentarily when reversing into gaps on full lock and that he was told about the Haldex Cu - well I had that before, and now I don't. --- However I still get a slight vibration... If I accelerate at 80 it's smooth, hold on a steady throttle or ease off gently it's smooth, but occasionally when you snap the throttle back you get a slight rumble through the back - can be felt through the gearstick...but only at that speed - I know I am fussy and maybe they all do it ... I am used to Mk4 GTI's FWD .... I didn't ask Audi - I thought I'd run it for a while and see if gets worse and tackle it at the next service. Anyone else get this?

Good stuff, don't suppose you managed to get the old broken unit back?

 

[s4mark]

Had a similar problem on my s3 about 5 months ago and a serious juddering when turning as well as the warning light light coming on. Audi told me that i needed a new control unit at a silly price but went to an audi specialist near me and he done a haldex oil and filter change for me. He said he needed to do some racing starts etc to get the haldex plates to seperate as they had become permantly engaged due to the state of the oil in the unit. Eventually he got them to seperate and have not had the problem since, no juddering or warning light whatsoever. Changed the oil and filter again after 1000 miles as a precaution but its all good. Sometimes pays to get friendly with a specialist if theres one local

 

[Richbod]

Thanks for all you replies, I genuinely think my Haldex CU packed up because the car has not been driven hard and not driven very much - until I got it ! I think I disturbed something - It was owned by a 'more mature' lady who sold the car because of ill health, and impractical to keep. - The bill was £860 from Audi in the end, and yes i have the old unit. I also got the cambelt / water pump /tensioner done - because of the 10 year old, not 16000 miles - and yes I kept the old parts - except the exchange water pump - and yes they are like new !! - but what if they had gone?? -- Now I'm getting used to car - I think the 'vibration' could be the exhaust resonating - it's the original - how long are they supposed to last ? Because the car drives like a dream and seems to run better now I'm stretching it's legs a bit. I have every Audi invoice for every year of ownership the car has had oil/haldex/brake fluid/aircon services - even though only 1500-2000 miles covered in between. I'll get some pics on soon -- I do about 8000 a year so when I've finished with it It'll be a great buy !