S3 Haldex problem

[sportquattro]

Hi Guys

Got a 1999 pre-facelift S3 and the drive to the rear is non existant, I have run VAG-COM on it and there are no fault codes showing, I have also had it up on a ramp looking for the ever so common earth strap issue, but there does not seem to be an earth strap???? I have read somewhere that pre-facelifts dont have one, can anyone confirm?

Any suggestions as to what else it could be, greatfullly appreciated, my only other idea was handbrake switch, but that seems to be OK according to VAG-COM

Thanks in advance

Nige in Snowy Devon

 

[LiveWire]

Stating the obvious, but have you checked the fuse?

 

[S3 Paul]

If you get VAG COM to comunicate with the AWD i would say the fuse will be ok?
The only problems i have ever come across on pre face lift S3 was Brake switch, ABS sensor problem and no comunication with the Haldex...
All of which a full VAG COM scan would find

 

[sportquattro]

Stating the obvious, but have you checked the fuse?

Hi Livewire, yes the fuse is A-OK it was the first thing i checked.

Nige

 

[sportquattro]

If you get VAG COM to comunicate with the AWD i would say the fuse will be ok?
The only problems i have ever come across on pre face lift S3 was Brake switch, ABS sensor problem and no comunication with the Haldex...
All of which a full VAG COM scan would find

Hi S3Paul, VAG-COM says everything is OK, Only thing I can't find to check is the earth strap, but, have read somewhere pre-facelifts dont have it so may not be there to find, just need someone to confirm.

Nige

 

[Mpathe]

why not just make your own earth strap and fit it and then you will know if it needs strap

 

[sportquattro]

why not just make your own earth strap and fit it and then you will know if it needs strap

Easier said than done in 2 inches of cold snow with no 4-post lift, but its an idea. Though if it was designed without one then the fault would in theory lay elsewhere (And it prsumably didnt require one). I blagged a opportunity to get it on a lift earlier and for the life of me couldnt see anything that looked remotely like an earth strap, but would love someone to say finitely yes or no that a pre-facelift S3 has a strap or otherwise and if it does, where its located. if i can establish that there is no earth by design then I'll know it's something more serious and can get in to Audi.

 

[s3dave]

Have you tried cycling the haldex through vcds? see if you can hear it....

 

[sportquattro]

Have you tried cycling the haldex through vcds? see if you can hear it....

Hi Dave, Yes I have or at least i think I have, can definately hear the pump running.

Nige

 

[s3dave]

maybe silly here but how do you know its not working?

 

[sportquattro]

maybe silly here but how do you know its not working?

Well a pretty big clue is the fact that the front wheels are spinning very easilly in the snow and ice we have at the moment, whilst the back wheels are not.

 

[s3dave]

I told you it maybe silly and did not want to sound patronising,im clueless then mate sorry i can not think of anything else...
Your diff isnt buggerd is it?

 

[sportquattro]

I told you it maybe silly and did not want to sound patronising,im clueless then mate sorry i can not think of anything else...
Your diff isnt buggerd is it?

Hi S3Dave, That's OK Im open to any and all suggestions as at the moment as Im at a loss as to what it is, I've checked eeverything I can think of with VAGCOM and visualy, I guess the rear diff could be fubard but would have thought unlikely, Im going to have aniother look undeneath it to day and if can't find aything get it into Audi ASAP

 

[sportquattro]

Well, the plot thickens,.............. had a good look under the rear yesterday afternoon and could not see any earth strap so am going with the assumption that pre-facelifts dont have one. Today Exeter awoke to 8 inches of snow, and I drove to work, despite the snow the car coped well, retuning back to the parents this evening trying to get up their drive, which was still thick with snow, all 4 wheels span, then just the fronts, then all 4, half an hour with a shovel later and she went up the steep drive ok. The puzzling thing is what could cause the lack of drive to be intermittent? Yesterday definately only front wheels driving, today 4 most of time but on occassion 2. Any thoughts welcome as it's booked in with Audi on Friday and would prefer to be able to solve the root cause before then and save the cost.

Thanks in advance

Nige

 

[LiveWire]

Mayby your haldex controller is fu**ed!

Good excuse to buy a uprated one if it is.

 

[s3dave]

what about a filter and oil change mate?

 

[barters3]

bit of a long shot;
when you operate the handbrake it cuts out the haldex system. there could be a fault on the switch?
My handbrake does not cut the haldex system out as i have tried it (pulling handbrake up 1 notch so as light on dash is illuminated) so there may be a fault on mine, ie, it will not turn it off.

 

[Mpathe]

barter is yours a pre face lift

the hand brake doesn't turn the haldex off on pre face lifts

 

[sportquattro]

what about a filter and oil change mate?

Filter and oil on the Haldex done less than a year ago (12,000 ,mile ish)

 

[sportquattro]

bit of a long shot;
when you operate the handbrake it cuts out the haldex system. there could be a fault on the switch?
My handbrake does not cut the haldex system out as i have tried it (pulling handbrake up 1 notch so as light on dash is illuminated) so there may be a fault on mine, ie, it will not turn it off.

I thout that myself, but, in VAG-COM I did think to check it and as I apply and relase the hand brake it shows the change of state in VAG-COM
so discounted that possibility.

 

[superkarl]

im having the exact same problem. friday i took it out in the snow, gripped well, blatantly all four wheels turning.
saturday comes and just the front two.

someone help us :'(

 

[sportquattro]

Im glad it's not just me Superkarl, if i find an answer you'll be the first to know, it's driving me nuts.

 

[superkarl]

cheers buddy.
i was convinced its electrical problem somewhere. but where?!?

 

[barters3]

barter is yours a pre face lift

the hand brake doesn't turn the haldex off on pre face lifts

mine is a face lift, i tried pulling the handbrake when i had the car on a 4x4 rolling road but it wouldnt disengage the haldex...?
Not sure that this helps you guys a great deal though.

 

[sportstractor]

Hmmm sounds a bit dodgy. Surely any electrical fault wouldn register under the controller(s).

Could be a mechanical problem. Sticky haldex pump? or maybe needs a fluid change if water has some how got in.

There is also the steering sensor which switches it off under full lock... It can malfunction if not properly tracked, but would bring up an error.

Handbrake cuts off my haldex on my 2001 AMK.

 

[superkarl]

Mine is amk facelift, the very first of them. I'm goin to inspect my handbrake switch asap. Although when I next get the car out it'l probably work fine.

 

[musty]

Did anyone find out the reason why the haldex did not work? I am having the same problem as the OP.