S4 cab 07 owner- do you know better than Audi techies? Help

meshedup

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New to this and desperate for help.
It’s a long story so I try to keep it short S4 cab in perfect condition on 2007 plate gets broken in to in January. Cockpit vandalized, main upper dash, all buttons, cd auto changer, vents, screens, radio, seats, stalks, rear mirror. Finiished off with plant pot from neighbours drive onto gear selector.
Damage to mine was £8K, 2 x neighbours £4K
Insurance Co.nominated repairers arrive to collect car, cant move gear selector, further dismantle in attempt to get to solenoid(?) to free gear selector, they tell me they have done this but tell me there is a second one underneath that they cannot get to. I leave them on drive struggling. I return home in evening to see car still on drive, all brake lights blazing with no key in ignition. Garage returns following day and skates car onto wagon.
Early March collect vehicle at 5.30pm, when pulling off notice ABS and ESP warning lights on, reverse, speak to engineer who advise that battery might be a bit flat and that warning lights should go off a few miles and ‘to bring car back if doesn’t’
These lights only come as gear is being selected not while driving. To get rid of them, take key out, put key back in re-start on majority of occasions they clear. These lights come on about one in four turns on average although have a gone nearly a week without lighting and then……
This has gone on for two and half months
Had the car serviced at local VAG specialist two weeks after collecting, had a new battery, generic diagnostics logged faulty brake switch, had it replaced, lights came back on following day.
Have also had CD change itself, faulty rear Brake warning light come on maybe 10 occasions, now have tyre pressure light on.
Insurance company refusing to pay for any more work as believe faults are mechanical, normal wear and tear, already present prior to vandalism.
Insist I take to Audi franchise for diagnostics report to show faults and discuss findings.Had to turn car over 4 times to get ABS and ESP show, diagnostics done while warning lights show.
Result was ABS module OK, faulty brake switch, I advised technician replaced a few weeks ago with no improvement but go ahead with replacement on understanding that garage will refund charges if does not solve problem.
Following day lights come back on…
Possibly unrelated but have park sensors malfunction.
So, many lights flashing at me, not a lot of technical knowledge, very little assistance from insurance company or Audi dealer and an MOT looming on the horizon.
I think the nominated repairers have wired something up wrong but would appreciate your thoughts.
 
I would have thought your Indy Garage would have helped with diagnostics etc.

You could try to find someone with VCDS (Diagnostics) nearby who could help. Where are you located?
 
Hello Stu
Although the guy is helpful, he only has a generic diagnostics module.From a previous visit he thinks it's electrical.
If diagnostics is run with out the lights up it shows no fault, if lights are on it shows brake switch.
I'm in Nuneaton, Warks.
Any ideas ?
 
Does sound like something has not been connected properly.

Have a look in the VCDS section and see if there is someone near you that can help.
 
Ok can you be more specific about the damage, as in did they remove all buttons, did they cut wiring, was cluster removed, dash replaced, etc etc as vandalism could just be things like scratched, paint, radio nicked etc
 
Thanks for getting back to me,, main upper dash was smashed in ,glove box lock smashed to allow access to smash cd auto changer, air vents smashed , LCD screen on radio/cd player smashed,stalks broken from steering column, rear mirror broken off. Finiished off with plant pot from neighbours drive onto gear selector.
The complete upper dash was replaced, the gear selector and surrounding gaiter was placed , CD auto changer and radio/cd replaced., stalks replaced
Wiring was not cut but was possibly damaged at back of cd changer, definitely left with broken wires when stalks were smashed off steering coulmn. the 4 buttons accross the dash including the EPS button were bashed but looked intact. I am fairly sure they were replaced.

I took the car back to Audi dealership with the faults showing on Friday, was told that the break light swith was still showing faulty and was refunded for the replacement. I am told thay have no idea what the issue is. they do remove the tyre pressure warning which has not reappeared.

I then went to collect the sat nav cd which was waiting for me at the insurance specified garage which did the rebuild. Outside chief techie apologisestells me he would have the car back but insurabnce co. has put block on it. Also tells me that they replaced the brake light switch during repairs also. So now on 3rd one.
Any help ?
 
Perhaps it's time to get the insurance ombudsman involved.

I think you really need to go to a good independent who'll look at it for you. Perhaps do that, keep the receipts and challenge the insurance company.

Where are you based?
 
I've threatened them (the NIG) with that- didn't seem fazed.
The guy at the insurance specified garage told me that it wasn't only me but NIG was playing up on loads of claims.
Problem is it could cost a lot to start ripping out dash to see what they have done behind
Im'based in Nuneaton Warks
 
I'd happily look at it for you, but the bill could be large tracing wires through & verifying circuits are correct, with possibility of new parts, could take me days, but its an option.

Tbh the garage that supposedly fixed this should take it back regardless of the insurance company as they were/will be paid to do the repair full stop, if its not done correctly they wont get paid.

Insurance companies are a law unto themselves, really are pita.
 
Thanks NHN -appreciate the offer.
Exactly my thoughts. let me threaten again to go down the Ombudsman route and see if it rattles any cages.
I'll figure out how to send you a PM and let you know one way or another.

I want my old car back.........