Audi S3 recent faults, anyone got advice?

Conor.demo7

Conor.demo7

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Hello, I have finally joined the S3 8L gang after wanting one for so long.
I am extremely pleased with the car so far during my ownership, but have recently encountered a few faults, one of which has just occurred which is rather alarming.

Current faults are;
  • Intermittent Cooling Fans - Should these run all the time, when stopped or when the engine reaches a certain temp. This has caused one temperature overheat warning so far, when I was outside talking to my mates with the car on idle.
  • Brake Squeal upon low speed 'feathering', it has Mov'It front brakes and new callipers/pads/discs on the rear. (I have been told that filing the pads lightly and putting a leading edge on the pads could solve this)
  • The new alarming fault - It seems that the car is loosing power, the power seems to drop off for a moment or it feels as if the car is juddering.
  • Drivers side window doesn't wind down, no sound of the motor attempting it - When pushed in the 'up' position, the motor is activated, but then senses it is already at the top, and stops.
The car has been MTM tuned prior to my ownership, I thought it may be turbo related when I first noticed it on 'boost', but now I have realised that it even does it at low RPM in first, etc..

Any assistance would be appreciated folks, thanks!
 
Welcome to audi-sport.net. Where are you located? Any pics of the car? The guys will be along shortly, in the meantime, have a read at the faqs threads, there is a lot of good info in there. Enjoy the forum. :) x
 
Thank you Sandra! :)

I will try to get some uploaded, only had it since last Monday.

I'll add my details into my signature.

Hope to see some of you in the near future!

I am currently looking for a VagCom unit, looking for a genuine one as I like the idea of all the functions.
 
Thank you gen.heinz, I will do.

To connect to my 2002 S3, will I need the VagCom unit, plus this VCDS cable?

Thanks.
 
Conor.demo7 said:
Thank you Sandra! :)

I will try to get some uploaded, only had it since last Monday.

I'll add my details into my signature.

Hope to see some of you in the near future!

I am currently looking for a VagCom unit, looking for a genuine one as I like the idea of all the functions.
Click to expand...

For local meets with other members, link below. :) for vcds cable contact NHN,he is a site sponsor and supplies these. :) x

Smaller (Local) Events
 
Hi

Welcome to the 'money pit'.

For all of your problems I think google is your friend ( https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=site:http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-forum-8l-chassis ) if you use this google link you can type your search after the URL that appears.

... or try the search function on the forum - but it's a bit naff IMO.

For the windows take the door car off, search for guides, it's easy, 5 screws then lift off the card and careful unclip the wires and the handle cable. Have a look and see what's occurring.

My brakes squeal, I just live with it. New pads made it almost disappear but not quite.

When I got my S3 I had a garage do some bits on it and they told me I needed to spend £400 on some new fans as mine didn't work at all - I ignored them, googled, did some testing with a multimeter and found it was the fan controller, I got a fan controller for £25 from a breakers.

You could probably do with a VCDS scan, you'll probably find all the common stuff will need doing if the car hasn't been looked after. vac & breather pipes, sensors, thermostat etc.

HTH. Liam
 
Don't forget to check out the stickies too... :thumbsup:

<tuffty/>
 
Cheers guys, I'm booked in at JBS for a VCDS scan tomorrow, they're lead was broken today..
I asked the guy if he had experienced my problems before, he said the fan could be the internal resistor failing, causing the fans to come on full blast upon a cold start, and be intermittent the rest of the time.
Also the 'stuttering' issue, he asked when the spark plugs were last changed (I don't know as the dealer was a sack of....), possibly cool packs or MAF.

Any of you guys have any suggestions? Think this diagnosis could be it?
P.s I had a young kid in a mk6 gti come by me today booting it... I need my baby back ;)

Cheers! Conor.
 
My PM function seems to be faulty, or does it have to be activated somehow?

Tried to PM NHN about the VCDS lead, sent it off, checked my 'Sent Messages' folder and it has no history of any messages sent?

Cheers.
 
Conor.demo7 said:
My PM function seems to be faulty, or does it have to be activated somehow?

Tried to PM NHN about the VCDS lead, sent it off, checked my 'Sent Messages' folder and it has no history of any messages sent?

Cheers.
Click to expand...

I will pm you how to change your settings. :) x
 
Where abouts in derbyshire are you? i may be able to pop over this evening and run a scan if your not too far.
 
Thank you folks for your input.

I've just had Tom over checking my car with VCDS, I'd like to say a special thanks to him for dedicating his afternoon.

The logs highlighted that I may have Oxygen Lambda sensor issues, possible water temperature sensor issue and misfiring on cylinder No.2.

I will be servicing the car this weekend, so I'm probably gonna bang new Plugs and Packs in there too, take a look at this water temp sensor.
 
Post those logs up, the second shorter one, im sure there are others on here more clued up with your engine, I drive a derv!
But looks like coil pack possibly on cylinder 2, one had been changed previously to a cheapy aftermarket looking one, and o2 sensors looked iffy, possibly the exhaust blow not helping things there either.

Not sure regarding the fans, they come on with the aircon, but dont activate with output tests on vcds. Temp rose to 96 c with no fans running still in vcds before i switched the aircon on. Rad was hot. no blown fuses. Maybe a relay somewhere controlling them or an iffy temp switch?

Ive pm'd you about the replacement keys, but if you buy vcds yourself you will be able to program them yourself with the SKC code i pulled.
 
Just been out and changed the Coilpacks and Spark Plugs, will be doing an engine service this weekend, give the poor girl some love..

The 'stuttering' problem seems to have disappeared.... For now.... ;) Horrreeyy!

Next I will look into testing the Cooling fans, try and get them working as they should.
Had a warning light come on today - 'Brake light failure'... But all three brake lights are working perfectly fine. This warning light doesn't stay on, only appears from time to time.
 
Jeez, no offence mate but it sounds like you bought a dog. I hope you got it cheap.

Brake light issue, could be an issue with the switch at the pedal. This rings a bell from somewhere.
 
Aye pal, just been to JBS today and let them have a look at it for a pre-MOT inspection..... I needed to sit down!!!! :(

The stuff mentioned earlier on is fixed now :)
Now the more recent stuff haha!

Got it for a reasonably alright price, but bit disappointing its all going wrong :p Old car... haha
 
Thank you cjsuk, I appreciate that! Already gave it a read, just need to buy the bits. I had a look, it seems my regulator cable has chaffed through, causing it to snap.

Going to mk4golfs.co.uk breakers in my town tomorrow, they specialise in mk4 golfs, S3, TT etc..
 
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