Technical bulletin

[pburv]

Just dropped my car off at the dealers today for it's first service..
A recall was flashing up on their system..
96E1 Software Update for Power Management...
Thought you lot might be interested..
Not sure if this covers all A3 models or just bespoke to S3's ??
They also told me that they will look into any software updates that are available...

 

[SamR92]

My A3 is in for servicing next week, so shall see if anything is flagged for mine

 

[MikeParkin]

Mine was in there September and didn't mention anything?

 

[Daveotto]

Had the same flag when I booked mine in for its first oil change last weekend, cars not going in until 9th November though as they are investigating an exhaust rattle I get on cold starts.

 

[azibux1]

Had the same flag when I booked mine in for its first oil change last weekend, cars not going in until 9th November though as they are investigating an exhaust rattle I get on cold starts.

I notice a slight (but obvious) rattling noise, almost like stones in the exhaust, but I always notice it after a drive, so maybe just cooling down? Doesn't sound like the normal cooling down crackling though, may make a video if I remember

 

[Daveotto]

I am sure mine is not to serious, just a sticky valve or something similar, but they need it for 2 days so they can investigate when the engines cold. Is a good excuse to get a courtesy car for 2 days, just need to sweet talk the head of sales into giving me a FLS3 saloon or an S4 or even higher S number while its in.

 

[GSB]

It'd be interesting to know what the changes are, but I doubt they'll ever tell. For some reason they're a bit touchy about engine management software...

 

[pburv]

It'd be interesting to know what the changes are, but I doubt they'll ever tell. For some reason they're a bit touchy about engine management software...

Picking it up this afternoon after work....Will let everyone know what's happening..

 

[slinemfc]

I rang the dealer this morning to see if mine had anything flagged and they said it didn't so would be interesting to see what you find out @pburv

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

 

[pburv]

Well!......My service has been carried out and is ready for pick up....Had a call from a lovely girl Jasmine and she told me that because I mentioned an issue with the car spinning it's wheels every now and then when I give it the 'beans'...They had a look and apparently there is a TPI on getting the Haldex pump replaced and new oil...
So car is going in again in two weeks time to have this work done...
Will quiz her more about this when I pick it up..

 

[davc]

Is that the front wheels spinning a bit until the haldex catches up and sends more power rearwards?

Mine does this sometimes pulling out of side roads etc on full throttle, thought it was just a feature as others have mentioned the same thing. I will mention it as well when mine goes in for it's service.

 

[pburv]

Is that the front wheels spinning a bit until the haldex catches up and sends more power rearwards?

Mine does this sometimes pulling out of side roads etc on full throttle, thought it was just a feature as others have mentioned the same thing. I will mention it as well when mine goes in for it's service.

Yep same problem at junctions ect...Also I notice it struggles between all four wheels for traction when going up a steep incline...Not sure if this is how the traction control is meant to work?

 

[Chris90]

Haldex should kick all 4 wheels in as soon as it sees the front wheels starting to accelerate faster than the rear wheels (wheelspin).

 

[deanshaw24]

Haldex should kick all 4 wheels in as soon as it sees the front wheels starting to accelerate faster than the rear wheels (wheelspin).

Which it should do far quicker than anyone would notice so you shouldn't get wheel spin.

 

[pburv]

Which it should do far quicker than anyone would notice so you shouldn't get wheel spin.

If that's the case then I have had a problem with the haldex since new...

 

[mikemod]

Yep same problem at junctions ect...Also I notice it struggles between all four wheels for traction when going up a steep incline...Not sure if this is how the traction control is meant to work?

I get the same issue in my FL, can repeat it every time.

Come round a corner to a bit of a hill, floor the throttle and the car just sits there for about 5 seconds with the TC flashing and then suddenly takes off. There is no sign of wheelspin. Must try it with the TC turned off.

 

[pburv]

I get the same issue in my FL, can repeat it every time.

Come round a corner to a bit of a hill, floor the throttle and the car just sits there for about 5 seconds with the TC flashing and then suddenly takes off. There is no sign of wheelspin. Must try it with the TC turned off.

Was kinda hoping the F/L had the wheelspin issues sorted? Oh well!
Will let you know if anything has changed on my car..

 

[GSB]

Haldex should already have the rear wheels engaged as a matter of course, they've moved on a bit from the mk1 versions that required a different speed between front and rear to start working. Even my old haldex coupled Mazda of a decade ago was full time full wheel drive except in some very exceptional circumstances.

 

[pburv]

Haldex should already have the rear wheels engaged as a matter of course, they've moved on a bit from the mk1 versions that required a different speed between front and rear to start working. Even my old haldex coupled Mazda of a decade ago was full time full wheel drive except in some very exceptional circumstances.

I must admit that my old B6 and B7 A4 quattro's had the better system fitted(proper quattro) as some people on here say...
I found them more sure footed on the road....Don't get me wrong I love my A3 it's just a different feeling altogether..
I wonder how the A3 would have been if they fitted the 'full fat' quattro system ?

 

[Daveotto]

Haldex should already have the rear wheels engaged as a matter of course, they've moved on a bit from the mk1 versions that required a different speed between front and rear to start working. Even my old haldex coupled Mazda of a decade ago was full time full wheel drive except in some very exceptional circumstances.

Is it safe to a Haldex discussion on this forum now ?

 

[pburv]

Is it safe to a Haldex discussion on this forum now ?

Lol....That's done it!..........My guess ummm!

 

[GSB]

I must admit that my old B6 and B7 A4 quattro's had the better system fitted(proper quattro) as some people on here say...
I found them more sure footed on the road....Don't get me wrong I love my A3 it's just a different feeling altogether..
I wonder how the A3 would have been if they fitted the 'full fat' quattro system ?

A centre diff equipped car is always going to appeal more to the mechanical fundamentalists, but does it mean it's 'better'? Not really, it's just a different way of achieving the same thing. All things considered the smaller A3 probably wouldn't be as good all round with the proper Quattro, since it's heavier, less efficient, and far harder to package. Interior space would take a dent or two, fuel economy would suffer, and the car's already quite lardy enough without having to cope with the inertia of all the additional tyre, brakes and drivetrain mass required.

Feel is a very subjective thing though, one persons surefootedness is another persons dull, inertia laden, unresponsiveness. The A3, by virtue of its smaller dimensions is never going to feel as stable a platform as a bigger model anyway, no matter which system is installed. If you really want to experience feel, jump in a caterham, or book yourself on a days rally driving. It's weird, but after a couple of hours of practise you'll find nothing feels as sure footed and responsive as a battered tinny old mk2 escort fitted with all the high technology of a Newcomen steam engine. Especially when you're hammering it around a gravel hairpin at impossible angles and ludicrous amounts of opposite lock, relying totally on your right foot to maintain any notion of directional control. It's a very strange feeling indeed.

 

[S3 Turbo]

I must admit that my old B6 and B7 A4 quattro's had the better system fitted(proper quattro) as some people on here say...
I found them more sure footed on the road....Don't get me wrong I love my A3 it's just a different feeling altogether..
I wonder how the A3 would have been if they fitted the 'full fat' quattro system ?

You have downgraded to an A3?

Btw, may I ask while at warranty fixes and TSBs...

Have you experienced the clonking/noise that some magride cars have when going over speed bumps? And if so, have they fixed it?

On Us forums they say there is a TSB for that too...

 

[S3 Turbo]

A centre diff equipped car is always going to appeal more to the mechanical fundamentalists, but does it mean it's 'better'? Not really, it's just a different way of achieving the same thing. All things considered the smaller A3 probably wouldn't be as good all round with the proper Quattro, since it's heavier, less efficient, and far harder to package. Interior space would take a dent or two, fuel economy would suffer, and the car's already quite lardy enough without having to cope with the inertia of all the additional tyre, brakes and drivetrain mass required.

Feel is a very subjective thing though, one persons surefootedness is another persons dull, inertia laden, unresponsiveness. The A3, by virtue of its smaller dimensions is never going to feel as stable a platform as a bigger model anyway, no matter which system is installed. If you really want to experience feel, jump in a caterham, or book yourself on a days rally driving. It's weird, but after a couple of hours of practise you'll find nothing feels as sure footed and responsive as a battered tinny old mk2 escort fitted with all the high technology of a Newcomen steam engine. Especially when you're hammering it around a gravel hairpin at impossible angles and ludicrous amounts of opposite lock, relying totally on your right foot to maintain any notion of directional control. It's a very strange feeling indeed.

Nice explained as always!

I guess Haldex is more than enough for most drivers needs and if cheaper and lighter that was a wise design choise...

But when doing some more inspired driving, as many here sometimes do hehe, and having owned a 'real' quattro car before, there are moments when you miss it...

Not enough to switch back though in my case...

 

[pburv]

You have downgraded to an A3?

Btw, may I ask while at warranty fixes and TSBs...

Have you experienced the clonking/noise that some magride cars have when going over speed bumps? And if so, have they fixed it?

On Us forums they say there is a TSB for that too...

Yes mate...It was done a few months after I took delivery....Not sure what they done? Replaced rear top mounts I think??
They told me at the time that it's only done if the customer complains....This is because it is not a safety related recall...It was first brought to there attention on the RS3's with mag ride. If I was you then I would go straight to your dealer and complain or at least make an inquiry..
ps Yes it did cure the crashing on the rear suspension..

 

[S3 Turbo]

Yes mate...It was done a few months after I took delivery....Not sure what they done? Replaced rear top mounts I think??
They told me at the time that it's only done if the customer complains....This is because it is not a safety related recall...It was first brought to there attention on the RS3's with mag ride. If I was you then I would go straight to your dealer and complain or at least make an inquiry..
ps Yes it did cure the crashing on the rear suspension..

Nice to hear that it helped!
I'll pay them a visit then...

Seems to get more and more usual with tsb:s that are only applied if customer complains.
Is there perhaps a list available with all bulletins for the S3/A3?

 

[pburv]

Nice to hear that it helped!
I'll pay them a visit then...

Seems to get more and more usual with tsb:s that are only applied if customer complains.
Is there perhaps a list available with all bulletins for the S3/A3?

Not sure mate....Have you 'googled' it?

 

[S3 Turbo]

Not sure mate....Have you 'googled' it?

Well, just because you said it I had to google...

Based on some quick googling, Vw/Audi Uk seems to keep the list of tsb:s secret...
(Except for full recalls.)

However, there is a Us goverment site collecting tsb:s for all brands sold over there:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/

You select make, model and year.
(Can only select A3 but not S3 though.)

Then you can select between several issue categories:
Recalls, manufacturer communications, complaints, etc.

The upon-complaint tsb:s like the mag ride issue are in the 'manufacturer communications' category.

It's very clear that the dealers are only supposed to care about these things if the customer complains...
Example of pre condition for navi related tsb below:

"
Condition
The customer complains of one of the following concerns:
• The navigation map does not show the latest roads or points of interest.
• The map download provided by the myAudi web site (my.audiusa.com) cannot be performed.
• The customer does not know how to obtain the data or cannot perform the update after downloading the data.
• The MMI is slow to respond or freezes during the map update.
"

 

[4K]

Yup had my ECU flashed by them last week. Same update. They couldn't give me much technical info. As one said, they keep it close to their chest....

 

[pburv]

Well, just because you said it I had to google...

Based on some quick googling, Vw/Audi Uk seems to keep the list of tsb:s secret...
(Except for full recalls.)

However, there is a Us goverment site collecting tsb:s for all brands sold over there:
https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/

You select make, model and year.
(Can only select A3 but not S3 though.)

Then you can select between several issue categories:
Recalls, manufacturer communications, complaints, etc.

The upon-complaint tsb:s like the mag ride issue are in the 'manufacturer communications' category.

It's very clear that the dealers are only supposed to care about these things if the customer complains...
Example of pre condition for navi related tsb below:

"
Condition
The customer complains of one of the following concerns:
• The navigation map does not show the latest roads or points of interest.
• The map download provided by the myAudi web site (my.audiusa.com) cannot be performed.
• The customer does not know how to obtain the data or cannot perform the update after downloading the data.
• The MMI is slow to respond or freezes during the map update.
"

Nice one 'Sherlock'...
Will have a looksee..

 

[Rob2k68]

If that's the case then I have had a problem with the haldex since new...

What plate is your car Paul ?

Just out of interest it looks like the Haldex controller ECU went from revision D and S/W version 7076 on 15 plate cars to revision H and S/W version 7083 on 65 plate cars. You can only buy rev H now so wonder what's changed ???

 

[pburv]

What plate is your car Paul ?

Just out of interest it looks like the Haldex controller ECU went from revision D and S/W version 7076 on 15 plate cars to revision H and S/W version 7083 on 65 plate cars. You can only buy rev H now so wonder what's changed ???

65 plate mate. I am having the pump replaced on the 16th of November . It will have the same one that is fitted to the F/L model. Apparently It,s an updated rev?
Will enquire what rev of haldex I have and let you know.

 

[pburv]

65 plate mate. I am having the pump replaced on the 16th of November . It will have the same one that is fitted to the F/L model. Apparently It,s an updated rev?
Will enquire what rev of haldex I have and let you know.

Have you had your issues with the haldex sorted Rob?

 

[Terminator x]

A number of people have had flat battery warnings after this update. Post update I had an airbag warning that they had to come back and clear for me.

TX.

 

[Rob2k68]

Have you had your issues with the haldex sorted Rob?

No mate it's being looked at right now.

 

[pburv]

No mate it's being looked at right now.

Is it the pump which is at fault?
If so the you have grounds on warranty to get it replaced?
Just don,t tell the about your mods....lol

 

[pburv]

A number of people have had flat battery warnings after this update. Post update I had an airbag warning that they had to come back and clear for me.

TX.

Is this the software update on the power management or is it the new haldex pump rev that,s given you the problem?

 

[pburv]

Nice to hear that it helped!
I'll pay them a visit then...

Seems to get more and more usual with tsb:s that are only applied if customer complains.
Is there perhaps a list available with all bulletins for the S3/A3?

Have you had any success from the dealers regarding you rear top mounts?

 

[Terminator x]

Is this the software update on the power management or is it the new haldex pump rev that,s given you the problem?

Software patch.

TX.

 

[pburv]

Software patch.

TX.

Cheers buddy ..Will keep an eye on battery power levels...