? Problem with start stop function

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Tom75

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Hi all,

I have recently noticed that the start stop function in my A3 seems not to work anymore. Earlier it worked without problems and therefore I wanted to ask if anybody has seen anything like that or am I maybe missing something such as has it been somehow disabled etc.

- The function is definitely switched on with the button next to the drive select button
- As soon as the engine is warm the start stop should start to function automatically however now when I have to stop and touch the brake hard enough that the start stop should work I always get the message in the display that start stop is disabled which is strange?

I have already checked the car settings in the MMI but there is nothing about start stop.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
Tom
 
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misthills said:
Start/Stop can't be disabled by default (as much as some would like it). I suspect that it is a problem with your car and you may need to see your dealer. See the following post where a fellow forum member had a similar problem:-

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-8v-chassis/205169-s3-service-book-start-stop.html

Unfortunately there was no resolution on the thread so I'm not sure if it got sorted.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the information.

then I guess I need to get this checked at the dealer.

Regards,
Tom
 
Could it be the rear window demister or heater? If you are drawing too much current or need heating/cooling the start stop will be disabled.
 
Could be any number of things at this time of year that would disable it....
 
You may have a problem, but there are many parameters which seem to affect whether or not its enabled.

Switch AC off and set the heater on a low temperature and as suggested no heated rear screen of front demister, seat heaters or anything that might put a significant load on the alternator then try it.
 
Thanks a lot everybody for the comments.

In this case I will try around some more I just thought it is strange that it doesnt function anymore because in summer it functioned normally but maybe it is really connected to the winter, cold season, heating etc.

Thanks ai will do some more testing.

Regards,
Tom
 
Tom. let us know how you get on......
 
I am still learning its personality. Just a couple of days ago it switched the engine off at some lights but after 30 seconds or so it thought better of it and started the engine again. I had heated seats and radio on so not particularly surprised, but first time I have seen this behaviour.
 
Its normal, my focus with the function did the same in the summer but for opposite reasons. it detected the cabin was getting too hot thus started up the engine to let the CC cool the cabin down...
 
@silky-s3 I am really curious how start/stop can be defaulted to disabled by VCDS - it is the biggest dislike I have for my A6 and was dreading similar pain with my S3 when it arrives in March.

I find it a PITA that the onus is on me to remember to disable it every time I get in the car. When Audi spend so much time and money on tuning the user interface of their cars.

Is there an article on the VCDS coding you can point me to?

Cheers!
 
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gtiller said:
@silky-s3 I am really curious how start/stop can be defaulted to disabled by VCDS - it is the biggest dislike I have for my A6 and was dreading similar pain with my S3 when it arrives in March.

I find it a PITA that the onus is on me to remember to disable it every time I get in the car. When Audi spend so much time and money on tuning the user interface of their cars.

Is there an article on the VCDS coding you can point me to?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

This is the location of my original post about this. The information came from the GTiForum for the Mk7 Golf. On the A3 you need the security code of 31347 to access the module. The item on the GTiForum also has some screen shots of VCDS.

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-8v-chassis/206515-8v-vcds-mods-2.html

And here is the original post on the GolfMk7 forum which was referred to in the GTiForum with the VCDS screen shots. Look at post #12.

GOLF MK7 VCDS TWEAKS - GOLFMK7 - VW GTI MKVII Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVII Forum
 
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gtiller said:
@silky-s3 I am really curious how start/stop can be defaulted to disabled by VCDS - it is the biggest dislike I have for my A6 and was dreading similar pain with my S3 when it arrives in March.

I find it a PITA that the onus is on me to remember to disable it every time I get in the car. When Audi spend so much time and money on tuning the user interface of their cars.

Is there an article on the VCDS coding you can point me to?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

It's part of the consumption and emissions figures of the car, which are values on the V5, a legal document, and define your tax rate in this country at least. So it's obvious that they wouldn't let you turn it off permanently through the controls of the car.
 
gtiller said:
@silky-s3 I am really curious how start/stop can be defaulted to disabled by VCDS - it is the biggest dislike I have for my A6 and was dreading similar pain with my S3 when it arrives in March.

I find it a PITA that the onus is on me to remember to disable it every time I get in the car. When Audi spend so much time and money on tuning the user interface of their cars.

Is there an article on the VCDS coding you can point me to?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

If you don't have access to VCDS or the code change does not work there is another alternative. The company KUFATEC sell a module that plugs in to the OBD socket which will switch the Star/Stop off permanently for £30.00. Here is a link to the item on their UK website:
Coding interface disable start / stop MQB-40019
 
Getting used to the stop start and its idiosyncrasies, doesnt like working with heated seats, or window demist on. Needs time to store the energy, or rather doesnt always work on short journeys.

I am not sure but it seems pressing the brake slowly and gently to come to a rest the car stay stopped but engine on, press te brake a little harder and the engine powers off.

The stronic, with the auto stop start and the hold assist seem to work as a dream package, less than a second from the lights changing to green the cars engine is on, its in gear, hand brake off and driving away.
 
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gtiller said:
@silky-s3 I am really curious how start/stop can be defaulted to disabled by VCDS - it is the biggest dislike I have for my A6 and was dreading similar pain with my S3 when it arrives in March.

I find it a PITA that the onus is on me to remember to disable it every time I get in the car. When Audi spend so much time and money on tuning the user interface of their cars.

Is there an article on the VCDS coding you can point me to?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

If you try the VCDS coding and it works let us know so we can add it to the VCDS list. :)
 
I will now after all these comments just keep an eye on this and come back with what I learn.

Thanks everybody for the response.

Regards,
Tom
 
I expect this technology will be part of an MOT test in the near future...
 
cuke2u said:
I expect this technology will be part of an MOT test in the near future...
Click to expand...

If it does become part of the MOT the best option would be to purchase the module from Kufatec that I referred to in post #15 of this thread. It costs £30.00, just plugs in to OBD port and can be removed for the MOT and then put back after. Just a 2 minute job.
 
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I don't really understand why it's a big deal, what's wrong with stop/start being there?

I'm also not sure how it can be tested in an MOT because the car often has valid reasons for not doing it (DPF regen, engine not warmed up, battery level not high enough, heaters on, etc etc), so they couldn't say that the system has failed just by it not happening when they try it.
 
I am sure that the testers will be briefed upon all of that before hand...
 
It seems like
'' if it came from the factory with it, it needs to be there and working ''

I'm curious about all the DPFs that have been removed - and how owners, possible not the people that removed them, will respond to the Failure notification!
 
cemerson said:
I don't really understand why it's a big deal, what's wrong with stop/start being there?

I'm also not sure how it can be tested in an MOT because the car often has valid reasons for not doing it (DPF regen, engine not warmed up, battery level not high enough, heaters on, etc etc), so they couldn't say that the system has failed just by it not happening when they try it.
Click to expand...

With manual transmission it is not really a problem. With an 8P and most other Audi models with s-tronic you have to keep your food on the brake pedal to prevent the engine from starting again. This is not too bad during the day but at night it means your brake lights are 'blinding' the driver behind. When I was taught to drive in the years when driving manners were also taught this was always regarded as bad manners and to use the hand brake. A lot of drivers with automatics have always done this and I said if I ever drove an automatic I would not do it.

With the new 8P Audi have changed the system slightly for cars with s-tronic and hold assist. Once you have braked the engine will start automatically when you take your foot off the brake pedal. BUT if you have hold assist switched on the engine will not start until the accelerator is pressed. This is a much better arrangement and should mean it is less annoying.
 
ditto with the manners !

that sounds good.... I hate sitting behind all the brilliant red lights at night - and I bet most of them do not have autos !
 
Can't say I've ever been 'blinded' sitting behind red lights, I've said in another thread - I find it strange that people find this annoying.
 
I do get blinded by brake lights, especially now that they are usually at eye level in modern cars. So I always put the car in N and apply the handbrake so that I can take my foot off the brake. Wish I had HA!
 
I also find it a pain being dazzled by brake lights from the car in front when queuing; especially at night and at this time of year with the nights getting dark so early.

Hold Assist doesn't solve the problem as it leaves the brake lights on when functioning. The LED brake lights on S-Line illuminate the people in the car behind as if they were in Amsterdam and you can see the pained expression on their faces....
 
cemerson said:
Can't say I've ever been 'blinded' sitting behind red lights, I've said in another thread - I find it strange that people find this annoying.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you're just blind anyway!!
 
It's also in the highway code that you should take your foot off the brake when stationary (not that I'm whiter than white, just pointing it out!):

https://www.gov.uk/general-rules-all-drivers-riders-103-to-158/lighting-requirements-113-to-116

In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
Law RVLR reg 27

Glad I've ordered manual :yes:
 
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AllanG said:
Can anyone with s-tronic and Hold Assist confirm that this is correct, as I would find this VERY annoying.
Click to expand...

This is correct. A good feature IMO
 
got to disagree,
if I use the brakes, stop, pull on handbrake, I take my foot off the brake - (and the brake lights go off) I don't continue to leave my foot on the brake as well - so with Hold Assist ( it puts the brakes on ) why should the brake lights remain on ?
 
h5djr said:
Perhaps you're just blind anyway!!
Click to expand...

Or perhaps I'm not in the habit of staring straight at things that I think are too bright! Can't say it bothers me really.
 
Kingfisher said:
got to disagree,
if I use the brakes, stop, pull on handbrake, I take my foot off the brake - (and the brake lights go off) I don't continue to leave my foot on the brake as well - so with Hold Assist ( it puts the brakes on ) why should the brake lights remain on ?
Click to expand...

Because hold assist doesn't use the handbrake, it effectively holds the foot brake for you without you having to use the pedal.
 
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cemerson said:
Because hold assist doesn't use the handbrake, it effectively holds the foot brake for you without you having to use the pedal.
Click to expand...

On page 95 of the Owner's Manual is a paragraph which reads:
In certain circumstances, the hold assist transfers the job of holding the vehicle to the parking brake. It does not however, give any indication of what those circumstances might be.
 
I thought it held the brakes on by electrically activating the calipers ,via a small motor and a screw thread onto the pads.
I know there is no longer any type of mechanical 'hand brake ' on these cars - not of the style I and h5djr have been used to for many years .
What you describe is like the old Line Lock used in Drag Racing back in the 60s 70s etc ? Push the pedal, pull a switch and a valve shuts in the lines holding brake pressure in the lines, thereby continuing to activate the lights ?
 
I'm sure it does, because I can tell you. It happens when the door opens, the driver's seatbelt comes off, or you turn the ignition off.
 
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