What have you done to your Audi A4 B7 today?
- Thread starter Dani_B19
- Start date
I believe it is for the starter motor; or at least it can produce exactly the non start you have.
I believe there should be three relays, two silver ones and a smaller black one: part no. 8Z0 951 253 (395) https://www.autodoc.co.uk/car-parts/oem/8z0951253 - did you replace it recently and was it with a new one?
Really sorry to hear of this trouble, Northpole - I hope you get it sorted quickly.
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Well I bypassed the starter and all the relays by simply using a direct connection to the startermotors 2 poles whilst the contact was on....yeah power is at both cables, but no click no noise actually nothing, just sparks as soon as I touch the plus and ground... I tapped on the housing with a rubber mallet... no change.
So it's not the relays afterall it points to the startermotor.. now the hunt begins for a local scrappy having it as the relays came from a scrappy a good 40 miles away on the account of it being the only one open on a Saturday all day, and for my luck they do have a few audi's for breaking.
Anyway I'll have a look tomorrow and see if there isn't anything else wrong.
It could be, but the starter doesn't do anything when directly powered of a jumper cable from another car. So it seems to be the culprit
ps there is power at the startermotor on the 12v pole, but the battery was low from me trying to run diagnostics... so I used my jumper cables off a running car and gave it a healthy dose of power. And it didn't even click, try to turn etc.
So I guess the original giving up after 20 years of service is what happened, plus I don't trust that 359 relay so will buy a new one to replace it for good measure too.
yeah not looking forward to removing it though... means i'll be laying under the car for a few hours judging by how hard it is to get to the bolts, without removing loads of parts that have nothing to do with the starter other than being to close to it.
Well, I got the startermotor off, it works after me hitting it a few times whilst it was hooked up to direct power from a 3.0 diesel with a 120 AH battery and a 150 AH alternator... and when it spinned, it was so weak it wouldn't be able to turn the flywheel at all.
So it is officially dead, checked the amps on the jumper cable, and that was close to 110AH
long story short, I ordered a new starter motor as with how hard it was to get it off, I don't even want to chance a used one. Just in case it decides to stop working prematurely because it's got worn down parts.
Will pick it up tomorrow and finish the installation. I also ordered the relay 359 replacement from the aftermarket and will put that on under the ecu... I pulled the battery off the car and put it on a trickle charger so that it will be at full power once the car is all build back up.
Took me a few hours to get the top bolt off from the startermotor... the previous person that removed the bolt decided to put exhaust paste on it.. it needed some serious leverage to break its seal... ps i needed to use a 3/8 ratched so had to be careful to not snap it in 2(happened to me more than I can count to the point where my toolkit doesn't even have 3/8's anymore) so that 3/8 ratched and socket were lend to me by one of my neighbours.
Oww, and one more thing that slowed me down, the cable connected to the startermotor... it refused to come off gently, simply because it created a vacuum seal. In the end, I got it off with a pair of pliers applying steady pull.
In total, more than 5 hours to get it out and tested.
But deffo a dead startermotor
So it is officially dead, checked the amps on the jumper cable, and that was close to 110AH
long story short, I ordered a new starter motor as with how hard it was to get it off, I don't even want to chance a used one. Just in case it decides to stop working prematurely because it's got worn down parts.
Will pick it up tomorrow and finish the installation. I also ordered the relay 359 replacement from the aftermarket and will put that on under the ecu... I pulled the battery off the car and put it on a trickle charger so that it will be at full power once the car is all build back up.
Took me a few hours to get the top bolt off from the startermotor... the previous person that removed the bolt decided to put exhaust paste on it.. it needed some serious leverage to break its seal... ps i needed to use a 3/8 ratched so had to be careful to not snap it in 2(happened to me more than I can count to the point where my toolkit doesn't even have 3/8's anymore) so that 3/8 ratched and socket were lend to me by one of my neighbours.
Oww, and one more thing that slowed me down, the cable connected to the startermotor... it refused to come off gently, simply because it created a vacuum seal. In the end, I got it off with a pair of pliers applying steady pull.
In total, more than 5 hours to get it out and tested.
But deffo a dead startermotor
So I went to pick up the starter motor... They never got it delivered on the account of them NOT having it in stock anywhere... so they ordered it in from a shop 3 hours away... ready to be picked up at 14:00 today... they better have it at that time.
And i wasn't the only one stood there for 20 minutes waiting for for them through rummage through a delivery for someone else just to give him the wrong part... than check to find the same scenario and order it in from another shop, he literally told them to tell them to hold it as he came all the way down from there to pick it up here as he had a job early in the morning to finish in Ipswich. He finished it and was on his way there so they phoned the shop to tell them to not send the part to their shop...
Kinda was a foreboding for my part to be honest... maybe a glitch in their sulllystem but I need the car sorted out today!
They best not mess me about.
And i wasn't the only one stood there for 20 minutes waiting for for them through rummage through a delivery for someone else just to give him the wrong part... than check to find the same scenario and order it in from another shop, he literally told them to tell them to hold it as he came all the way down from there to pick it up here as he had a job early in the morning to finish in Ipswich. He finished it and was on his way there so they phoned the shop to tell them to not send the part to their shop...
Kinda was a foreboding for my part to be honest... maybe a glitch in their sulllystem but I need the car sorted out today!
They best not mess me about.
Got there and took them a while 25 minutes to find the delivered lucas startermotor... mind you I got there at 14:35 due to traffic. Anyway... got it home and fitted it... left the old relay 395 where it was, and turned the key.
Car started like a new one! Problem sorted... got a spare startermotor relay 395 in the glovebox.
Ps putting the new startermotor on, took only 30 minutes. An hour, including putting tools back.
Car started like a new one! Problem sorted... got a spare startermotor relay 395 in the glovebox.
Ps putting the new startermotor on, took only 30 minutes. An hour, including putting tools back.
so with the allroad now here and ready for a few upgrades, nothing silly , i'm off this eveing to view a B7 special edition avant in need of some tlc , i'm not expecting much but maybe a good basis for a new project .
After years of putting up with the faded and watermarked brightwork around the windows on B7 and with no real sucess, I may have found a solution.
My allroad is also afflicted to a similar degree, so ive been experimenting today with different methods.
My allroad is also afflicted to a similar degree, so ive been experimenting today with different methods.
having tried everything in the past inc wd40 that works great for 10 mins..lol
I had some maguires all metal polish paste , applied with a scotch bright pad using soft light motions , then buff off and use a sealant of choice it does the trick really well.
will whack up some before and after pics in the morning , why i didnt try this method before i just dont know.....
I had some maguires all metal polish paste , applied with a scotch bright pad using soft light motions , then buff off and use a sealant of choice it does the trick really well.
will whack up some before and after pics in the morning , why i didnt try this method before i just dont know.....
Right , been to see this supossed tidy , needs some TLC B7 special ed, one word comes to mind scap.....
It may have been cheap, but that was the only thing good about it. ive seen better in scrap yards, so gave it a miss with a very, very long barge pole.
So back on the hunt.
It may have been cheap, but that was the only thing good about it. ive seen better in scrap yards, so gave it a miss with a very, very long barge pole.
So back on the hunt.
Yeah any b7 at 500 pounds asking price needing some TLC usually means either the bodywork is bad or the car needs a complete suspension and engine overhaul (where in most cases, the engine is best replaced with a good running one)... I've been there when I was looking and at that time the B7's were very hard to find that needed just some TLC. Nowadays it's even harder...
Well done Northpole! Rotten bad luck I reckon, I watch a lot of these barn finds on Youtube and the one thing that's always still working no matter how old is the starter motor. But it's a salutory reminder that these cars are getting quite old now, and just about anything, you least expect, can let you down
I bought something called 'Hindsight Window Trim and Roofbar Kit'; promised the earth with aluminimum; not bad actually, have to try again. I've got boxes of snake oil and paste in the house; promised myself I'm not buying anymore; most of it little better than household much cheaper products; although pleasantly suprised with good old Autoglym leather cleaner and balm, for my steering wheel, gear and handbrake leather, recently; cheapest in that field too. But I might be up for giving this a try; Rob, let's see the before and after pics, please. What sealant are you going to use?
The problem with this kind of trim is the milky appearance is half the annodisation gone, and the subsequent corrision setting in. So probably the only thing is removing it entirely. I suspect the sealant will need applying regularly; I can't imagine any permanent solution, sadly. I've thought about chrome wrapping before too; and although black wrapping is common, I've never seen chrome wrapping.
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Yes I think £500 is around the scrap value now. Reasonable petrol ones seem to have slightly risen in price; possibly due to them still being ULEZ compliant. Obviously it depends how much of a project you want; but something like this might be more of a prospect: https://tinyurl.com/5y4yj9ejIt may have been cheap, but that was the only thing good about it. ive seen better in scrap yards, so gave it a miss with a very, very long barge pole.
So back on the hunt.
I've decided to give mine away, to the right person, when the time comes, rather than suffer the indignity of the 500 quid, I'd inevitably get for a cloth seated 300k mile diesel; no matter how good I've kept and made it.
Lol we think alike... i was looking at getting mine wrapped in chrome. I abandoned that idea when I got quoted way to much for my liking bit it's a hard job to do it right. And I quoted the conpany: they remove them from the car as you can see all around it. So extra work is involved. And they won't do them on the car.
So I'm thinking get a used set and have it anodized... that should bring them back to looking new.
So I'm thinking get a used set and have it anodized... that should bring them back to looking new.
I thought of the same; very expensive and quite difficult on such delicate trim, when I last looked; plus it's maybe a must of taking it from a 'breaking' car yourself, since if they bother to take it off, they tend to do so with brute force now. Careless ebay sellers with not even the gumption to clean a part simply for more, seem to be the norm now.
You are right about that last part, actually most ebay sellers let youbremove the part yourself as they can't be ***** to take them off... and they don't tell you that goodthing I always carry tools just incase but sometimes more is needed and that is ine if the reasons why I decided to just buy a new startermotor.
Worstcase I'll just endup using some sort of metal polish on mine again. Not that I like doing that it just takes to long and it doesn't last.
Case in point, I just bought a OS headlight, as the bracket on mine is broken (glued in place though); advert clearly showed bracket intact; arrived broken and obviously previouly glued. Photos submitted and instant refund though and no need to return.
I'll just have to buy new in the end I think, like I was trying to avoid
I did snag a great condition gearstick surround though, so not all bad.
I'll just have to buy new in the end I think, like I was trying to avoid
I did snag a great condition gearstick surround though, so not all bad.
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Yeah the teeth of time does start to show it's head with those parts... I'm considering buying new headlight lenses and replacing the old ones... they aren't that bad but i rather replace them... plus i keep putting off the LED projectors that are just gathering dust at the moment including the switchback DRL/ flowing indicator that are in the same big container in the shed... the reasn why i haven't done it is because: MOT rules might change again and rule them illegal ( even though the complete refelctor and unit will be replaced with better) and that will mean a waste of money... like i did before with the LED upgrade bulbs that where legal just before the change they are in that same container too, as are the HID's i had that didn't glare at all but hey the law says they are illegal....
I don't want OEM xenon headlights either as i dislike the new price, but just like you i might endup buying new headlights completely than do the mods. My car is from '05 so it's the first B7 model... so do i really want to spend big on it? nope it all has to be within a certain price range for me to even consider it, mainly because of the age of the car and knowing full well that to others it's just an old car... (doesn't look like it though)
I don't want OEM xenon headlights either as i dislike the new price, but just like you i might endup buying new headlights completely than do the mods. My car is from '05 so it's the first B7 model... so do i really want to spend big on it? nope it all has to be within a certain price range for me to even consider it, mainly because of the age of the car and knowing full well that to others it's just an old car... (doesn't look like it though)
Yes well mine is in an even worse bracket with it being a NA fwd automatic s-line cloth interior too... but I've been trying to get a heated s-line leather interior in black... seems like the hardest thing to do.. in the meantime i just added flappy pedals to the CVT and it works like a charm. Not something you run into on the b7 platform unless someone retrofitted it. anyway i want those things for myself, but already know i need more boot space... so if the right car comes along at the right price i'll snap it up and take whatever they offer me for mine.
Well then, it seems very quiet over on A6 C6 forum, maybe too quiet.....
No real modding stuff in progress, well, not much of anything.
Its a Good job I'm staying on the B7 forum or I'll fall asleep with excitement on the c6 forum.
No real modding stuff in progress, well, not much of anything.
Its a Good job I'm staying on the B7 forum or I'll fall asleep with excitement on the c6 forum.
Simply because most a6 models are not messed with, usually it stops at retrofitting wanted options or some wheels and lowering.
The rest is all how to solve problems... I noticed this across most brands where the more luxury models hardly get touched... and when they are being touched, it's tuning companies or influencers that do youtube videos.
Just look at how little gets done to the all the models past the a4 platform... not much other than a honeycomb grill and some lowering and wheel swaps.
The rest is all how to solve problems... I noticed this across most brands where the more luxury models hardly get touched... and when they are being touched, it's tuning companies or influencers that do youtube videos.
Just look at how little gets done to the all the models past the a4 platform... not much other than a honeycomb grill and some lowering and wheel swaps.
Its a Good job I'm staying on the B7 forum or I'll fall asleep with excitement on the c6 forum.
Glad you're staying Rob, you're valued over here
Yes I reckon this is the most active section of all; says a lot about the good old B7 I think and it's loyal active fans.Just a warning to anyone contemplating buying a new S-Line perforated gearstick from here: I've had to pay over £45 customs. I've bought from the same place before never occured, post Brexit too. Nor does this happen with oemVWshop. Turned out more expensive in the end than if I bought the complete original brand new replacement with leather gator too! Oh well, we live and learn, even in your sixties, lol.
Can't recommend LLParts neither - I've been waiting for those tracking bolts, Rob linked to since the 4th, and still no sign of them, I told them so too.
I've grown to really appreciate cloth, especially in hot Spanish summer and in winter here too; the S-line sports seats in Strato cloth look very nice in good condition (much better in the flesh than photos, where they look drab and grey); seem a better fit than leather, especially in the rear, and are very hard wearing - I've only got almost invisible slight fraying on the driver's lower right side seat base, bolster and seam, which I've treated for protection. They do mark much more easily though and are harder to clean and maintain than leather. Fortunately mine have no stains. I found this recently though: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1634702440/car-seat-cover-audi-a4-2015-2023-s-line about the best fitting seat covers I've seen, nice to be able to tailor a set too to your liking.
At least you don't have a turbo to deal with lol. They're surprisngly rare to, I don't think I've ever come across another. Most people then, by far, ordered the 2.0tdi exec repomobiles like mine, because Gordon Brown said it was good to; followed by the TFSIs.
I've grown to really appreciate cloth, especially in hot Spanish summer and in winter here too; the S-line sports seats in Strato cloth look very nice in good condition (much better in the flesh than photos, where they look drab and grey); seem a better fit than leather, especially in the rear, and are very hard wearing - I've only got almost invisible slight fraying on the driver's lower right side seat base, bolster and seam, which I've treated for protection. They do mark much more easily though and are harder to clean and maintain than leather. Fortunately mine have no stains. I found this recently though: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1634702440/car-seat-cover-audi-a4-2015-2023-s-line about the best fitting seat covers I've seen, nice to be able to tailor a set too to your liking.
On the Allroad had to address a rear wiper issue.
Noticed it wasn’t doing g a full sweep or parking properly.
Turned out to be totally knackered wiper arm , the motor shaft was just spinning in the arm as it was broken.
Had to dremel off the splined bush , anyway all ready for a new wiper arm.
First bill of my ownership.
Noticed it wasn’t doing g a full sweep or parking properly.
Turned out to be totally knackered wiper arm , the motor shaft was just spinning in the arm as it was broken.
Had to dremel off the splined bush , anyway all ready for a new wiper arm.
First bill of my ownership.
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In my search for perfect fit leather covers i came across this now I'm seriously considering this as for one they'll make the interior look better.. can be customised as to what you actually want but more importantly you can have the S logo embossed to... so if i was to go for a set it would be an embossed s logo all black... i don't care for the red stitching ( it'll go dirty) also this will raise the price of the car considerably... if not than i'll just tae them out an sell them seperately with the person buying them having to give me his old interior.
but pricewise it'll come with added import costs and added VAT so will be closer to buying a set of full recaro S4 heated leather seats.
It's worth silicone sealing the water pipe inside - it's the cause of all failures you see. I did this with my OEM Valeo replacement 5 years ago - no problems since. No matter the replacement wiper arm, Bosch, whatever, they always end up drooping down onto the edge; that I haven't found a cure for, no matter how much you adjust them. I'd love to hear of one. Oh and the Goddamned water jets that sit on the metal spindle - they are almost impossible to get aimed right. One of the most useful tools I ever bought though is the windscreen wiper arm removal tool.
I just don't fancy anything Chinese anymore; had a lot of problems with poor quality (except the Xtrons, touch wood, which has been stellar), I have to be honest Northpole, I don't like that style at all, and I don't fancy having to have conversations with them to get what I would like neither. The other link is from Turkey, seems more on the ball, more OEM in style, and you can have a cloth combination with the PU leather, which I wouldn't want entirely. Don't get me started on the term 'Vegan' leather neither - vinyl is vinyl and it used to be the cheapest seat covering of the lot; now they try and market as 'luxury' lol.
As I say I've been ready to drop for a full S-Line interior a few times, some good ones too, but I have no where to store the originals for sale, and work on it, and most are collection only; a hassle to get a van and all. And I think all black or black/grey leather looks a little oppresive to me. But this Turkey job if you can get it to fit as well as the photos, would look much newer and fresher, maybe with a cream cloth centre panels too.
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Ok so got the discount code today from Fisher Motor Factors in Lincoln.
fmfcoatings.co.uk
In the search box on their website type, that will bring up a few items, click the Global touch-up pen. It will ask for the make, model and colour of the car, I add paint code there too.
Place in the basket. View basket and you'll see the box to apply coupon.
Use coupon code TOUCHUP25 and it will deduct about 17% off the pre VAT price for the stick.
It should then all calculate and add shipping etc.
Fisher Motor Factors
Lincolnshire’s Premier Automotive Paint Supplier based in Lincoln. Supprting Automotive ,Commercial Transport and Industrial Coatings Markets.
fmfcoatings.co.uk
In the search box on their website type, that will bring up a few items, click the Global touch-up pen. It will ask for the make, model and colour of the car, I add paint code there too.
Place in the basket. View basket and you'll see the box to apply coupon.
Use coupon code TOUCHUP25 and it will deduct about 17% off the pre VAT price for the stick.
It should then all calculate and add shipping etc.
I've had only good things coming from alibaba.com... sure vegan leather isn't what I would order nope cowhide or alcantara... IIt's worth silicone sealing the water pipe inside - it's the cause of all failures you see. I did this with my OEM Valeo replacement 5 years ago - no problems since. No matter the replacement wiper arm, Bosch, whatever, they always end up drooping down onto the edge; that I haven't found a cure for, no matter how much you adjust them. I'd love to hear of one. Oh and the Goddamned water jets that sit on the metal spindle - they are almost impossible to get aimed right. One of the most useful tools I ever bought though is the windscreen wiper arm removal tool.
I just don't fancy anything Chinese anymore; had a lot of problems with poor quality (except the Xtrons, touch wood, which has been stellar), I have to be honest Northpole, I don't like that style at all, and I don't fancy having to have conversations with them to get what I would like neither. The other link is from Turkey, seems more on the ball, more OEM in style, and you can have a cloth combination with the PU leather, which I wouldn't want entirely. Don't get me started on the term 'Vegan' leather neither - vinyl is vinyl and it used to be the cheapest seat covering of the lot; now they try and market as 'luxury' lol.
As I say I've been ready to drop for a full S-Line interior a few times, some good ones too, but I have no where to store the originals for sale, and work on it, and most are collection only; a hassle to get a van and all. And I think all black or black/grey leather looks a little oppresive to me. But this Turkey job if you can get it to fit as well as the photos, would look much newer and fresher, maybe with a cream cloth centre panels too.
But my concern is the quality of the foam and the supporting parts to fit the seat frame to support the new shape.
As I said I do like that newer style seat, but they don't hold a candle to oem leather s-line seats. The only real plus is the fact you can personalise them... but that means longer waiting and not even knowing how much it'll come to in the end.... I might just pass on that idea... And endup just getting oem s-line leather seats...
Ps my cloth seats need a deep clean to bring them back to their former glory... something I might just do soon. They aren't seriously dirty but I do have 2 spots on the rear bench and one on the passenger seat purely from me just putting parts in the car that came from the engine whilst I was covered in CV joint grease.
Although it's no where as easy as leather to clean, the Audi cloth seems very high quality and can be cleaned remarkably well; my driver's seat looked like it had faded, I thought premantly and one or two minor water marks. A thorough clean recently, brought it all back to like new. You can use Scotchguard, or I use a product from Sam's Detailing, called Fabric protectant, to seal cloth without losing it's breathing properties. Water and liquid just run off it then in beads.
Thanks Matt, appreciate that
In my quest for info i came across this on the tube, which now has me thinking , love the rotas on it with the side skirt.
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QqdjIj30xBs
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QqdjIj30xBs
Brightwork comparison.
Better by miles
View attachment 282415View attachment 282416View attachment 282416
Better by miles
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Better pics
A massive improvement, still , a bit more than acceptable now.
A massive improvement, still , a bit more than acceptable now.
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