Random Warnings

[Conneh]

I picked up a B8 avant last week out of desperation after my B7 2.0T SE was wrote off. It’s only a 1.8T on a 59 plate, 95k - nothing special but does the job while things calm down.

All in all I’m really impressed, comfy, cabin is a nice step up, pulls well and drives nicely (I’m now in the S Line suspension is too hard camp!)

While driving it I have noticed I get random errors/messages (no dash lights). Some are comical, as they have nothing to do with my car. It usually starts off with a “rear trailer light not working”, the maybe the right one. And then maybe I’ll get rear light indicator bulb etc etc.

I also get ones like “Stop! Add ad-blue” or “hybrid drive ready”. The cars neither a diesel, or a hybrid. Others can be Audi side assist is unavailable or fault in the brake system.
Now nothings wrong from what I can tell and these errors have no rhyme or reason. I recall in my B7 I may get a lighting error when a bulb was on its way out - maybe that’s the case here.

I’ve trawled google search and not found much similar. Has anyone come across this before and can advise where to look first? I’ll get it scanned when I get some free time but mechanically - all seems relatively well (minus the odd suspension knock!)

 

[jdp1962]

Random fault warnings can sometimes be an indication of a tired battery.

 

[pelhamsdetailing]

If you don't have one yourself, head to a local halfords. They'll do a free battery test and can check voltage and ampage. Had plenty of cars come in throwing random lights and faults, which turned out to be the battery getting low.

 

[ninjag]

If not battery then the next thing I'd look for is water ingress somewhere, specifically ECU, fuse boxes, control units etc.

 

[Conneh]

So I’ve had the battery checked and the chap seemed to think it’s ok. He did say it was pulling 360a but i looked it up and it should be around 580a cold start crank - he pushed some buttons and went yeah that’s all fine. Must be ok, he didn’t try and up-sale me a battery?
That aside, the car starts on the nose everytime - no hesitation.
I have had a little snoop for water but not properly. ECU box looks all dry (assuming it’s still under the scuttle on the drivers side).
Foot wells are all bone dry.
Few things I’ve noticed;
1. The MMI is fine. Nothing weird going on there.
2. If I don’t get warnings, the speedo “computer” flashes off then on - like a reboot.
3. The drivers side wing mirror heater doesn’t work
4. The wipers don’t seem to fully go back to their normal place (look an inch or two higher)
5. Today I had the odd seatbelt not on light flicker
6. On the dash computer, the trip odometer is always at 0
7. If I get a warning, sometimes my mileage reads “NGJ” or something

 

[NyB8]

I replaced my battery last year as I was getting fed up of my alarm randomly going off. I got my battery checked prior to changing it and everything pointed towards the battery being fine. However with the battery being the original battery and the car being 10+ years old I took the punt and replaced the battery. Thankfully the alarm has stopped going off randomly. How long have you had this battery?

 

[jdp1962]

If it's five years or more old, I wouldn't rely on a check; just replace it.

 

[pelhamsdetailing]

A decent battery checker will tell you the ampage and cell condition. I use a yuasa battery tester at my work place and have every bit of confidence in it. Any Halfords will do a free battery test and tell you the ampage. If it's got good health and plenty of amps, say 75 - 90% of maximum capacity, then changing it may not accomplish anything.

 

[Conneh]

It was Halfords that checked it using a Yussa checker. When I get some time and some daylight I’ll get in there and have a look at it.
Today I had XG miles. Unsure how many miles that is .
I did notice a puddle of water under the car while out shopping today, it wasn’t coolant or oil. I’m leaning towards a blocked drain causing some issues somewhere - possibly under the battery tray (if anything like the B7). It was in that area where the water was dripping. If the ECU is still to the left it may be getting damp.

 

[Conneh]

Just took the scuttle out and hoovered… compost which was to the top of the ECU box. The gromit on the right side was also block so gave all that a clean out. Will have to get it up and do the gromit under the steering column but hopefully problems may subside if it gets a chance to warmup and dry out a little!
Wondering if the previous owner had it garaged, not a drop of rust anywhere and now it’s living in the rain it’s feeling sorry for itself.

 

[ninjag]

So I’ve had the battery checked and the chap seemed to think it’s ok. He did say it was pulling 360a but i looked it up and it should be around 580a cold start crank - he pushed some buttons and went yeah that’s all fine. Must be ok, he didn’t try and up-sale me a battery?
That aside, the car starts on the nose everytime - no hesitation.
I have had a little snoop for water but not properly. ECU box looks all dry (assuming it’s still under the scuttle on the drivers side).
Foot wells are all bone dry.
Few things I’ve noticed;
1. The MMI is fine. Nothing weird going on there.
2. If I don’t get warnings, the speedo “computer” flashes off then on - like a reboot.
3. The drivers side wing mirror heater doesn’t work
4. The wipers don’t seem to fully go back to their normal place (look an inch or two higher)
5. Today I had the odd seatbelt not on light flicker
6. On the dash computer, the trip odometer is always at 0
7. If I get a warning, sometimes my mileage reads “NGJ” or something

re. wipers, mine do this and then after a bit will automatically move fully down, presumably to a fully docked position or something.

 

[pelhamsdetailing]

re. wipers, mine do this and then after a bit will automatically move fully down, presumably to a fully docked position or something.

My A5 B8 did the same.

 

[jdp1962]

My A5 B8 did the same.

Mine too

 

[Conneh]

The battery is a Platinum 096E - which is the right spec/beefy enough. Can’t see any date as Audi decided to put the battery in the boot in what I can describe as a chastity belt.

whipped the ECU cover off and all looked well, bone dry (kudos to Audi, the B7 was a pig to remove l). Thought I could smell burning from that area, maybe just heat/breaks in the rain.

Did notice that someone had replaced the ignition coils at some point and butchered the clips. 2 are broken, one they had zip tied tight and another was a little loose so sorted that out - maybe some short causing my issues. No idea.

Would it be worth updating the MMI? I think it’s a 3G Low Spec. This is the version info - although the unit is fine. No issues.

The most common random signal is trailer turn signals follower by normal lights. Etc etc. Other times it will cycle through stuff like Driver Mode and other options I do not have.

I did notice in the boot compartment that there was a red plug not connected to anything - thought this maybe the optical bypass?

I’ll get a Carista or something on payday and see if this gives any insights.

Its a head scratcher, and ****** annoying despite everything working as it should.

edit** interestingly 2009 models didn’t have 3G basic from what I can tell. Should be 2g? Maybe it’s a retro fit causing me issues.

 

[Conneh]

I picked up Carista in the Black Friday sale for £25 with no expectations. I now have gauge needle sweep, because race car. And turning lights.

it picked up a few faults, heated mirror and some minor things that cleared.

now the one that I couldn’t clear was “16348 - instrument cluster” which sounds promising (as that’s where my issue is). Quick google isn’t giving much help and takes me back to a 000003 ECM fault. I also had 00927 terminal 30 (right)

few things to note/questions;

- do all Audis have ambient outside temp sensors? I have the option in my setting but no where that displays a temp.
- like above, I have an option to turnt on gear select indicator - but nothing shows up
- my journey timer doesn’t work (just displays 0h)
- my journey milage doesn’t count up, just shows 0m

 

[Conneh]

Instrument cluster
Part #: 8K0920980L
Component: KOMBIINSTR.
Software version: 0255
ASAM/ODX identifier: [none]
Coding: 2F05100003002600010400 (hex)
Fault codes:
16348 Manufacturer-specific code

Body/convenience system
Part #: 8K0907064BN
Component: BCM2 1.1
Software version: 0249
ASAM/ODX identifier: [none]
Coding: 013B0622203904400030020000000000 (hex)
Fault codes:
02615 Locking fuel tank cap
02616 Unlocking fuel tank cap

Driver's door
Part #: 8K0959793J
Component: TSG FA
Software version: 0306
ASAM/ODX identifier: [none]
Coding: 011002204001410001 (hex)
Fault codes:
00920 Heated Outside Mirror (Z4/Z5)

Ignition authorization
Part #: 8K0907064BN
Component: BCM2 1.1
Software version: 0249
ASAM/ODX identifier: [none]
Coding: 031200 (hex)
Fault codes:
00955 Key 1