Diff problem?

[velcrobix]

I've started to notice that sometimes, usually when the car is cold, when i go to full lock it feels like the rear, inside wheel, locks slightly then releases then locks again and so on untill i start to turn back to straight.
Its booked in at my local specelist tomorrow for a haldex oil and filter change as the guy i spoke to sugested this is the best place to start. (car is due a haldex oil change in 4k anyway).
Has anyone had simular problems or has anyone any ideas what the prob could be? I'm hoping it's not a knackered diff - sounds expensive.

 

[dummi]

thats what ESP does on cars with it fitted. have you got it? it is a switch above the heater controls marked, press it once to deactivate it, there will be a marker on the dash to say it is off. its a driver aid so should be left on when driving motorway etc.

 

[velcrobix]

My car hasn't got ESP - it's one of the early S3's.

 

[Lovegroover]

Sorry to drag this up from the past but I am now having exactly the same problems as this, although my Haldex oil was changed only 4000 miles ago. This topic relates also:

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=33708

but no answers seem to be apparent anywhere. Any one any other ideas?? I have to use my car every day, but i'm seriously worried these occasional lockings of the wheel in the morning are harming the haldex system. Hoping someone may have found a solution for this fault before......

 

[Jiny_P]

Hi

I sort of had the same problem with my 2000 S3, except with mine when i used to turn right or left i used to get a knocking noise and sounded like it was coming from the back? and when it used to knock it felt like it was catching on something but in a straight line it was ok, but before this my esp and abs light were on, when it happened i droped it of to a garage and it sat there for five weeks all they did was change the wheel speed sensor which turned the lights of but they said it still had the knocking noise and after 5 weeks they said they cant find the problem, so went and picked the S3 up but there was nothing wrong with car drove the car home with no problems so im totaly confused? but i have not driven it since because the road tax has run out and havnt had a chance to go get it, but got a feeling it might start knocking again.

 

[Lovegroover]

Your problem does sound similair, although mine doesn't knock as such (yet). I can just feel the wheel lock momentarily. I am most worried about not being able to diagnose the cause if the problem continues, such is the problem that Jit is having in the above link (even all the specialists he's been to are stalling). I can't afford to not have my car nor do I want to risk damaging it :Flush:

 

[thegoal007]

reason for me asking is that I too have the exact same problem on an Audi S3 2002. Generally on starting up the car when attempting a full lock on the steering whether it's left or right or when reversing on full lock the rear wheel/s seems as though the lock and release so as you can imagine I am eager to find out what it might be. Normal driving appears perfectly OK.

This may well turn out to be a common problem, does anyone have any Audi main dealer contacts to check this out. I cannot believe Audi have not heard of this problem and secondly don't know exactly what it is

 

[HODD]

If it was a ford , i would have said transfer box as thats what it sounds like.

 

[VAGTECH]

Hi
We have seen quite a few S3’s in the past with similar symptoms. There are a number of things that can cause this type of issue. It is very important to maintain regular haldex oil changes and this would be the first thing to ask has the haldex servicing been kept up to date. If a performance haldex is fitted then I would recommend more regular haldex oil changes. Has the car had a knock clipping a curb or similar can throw out alignment which can cause issues with the haldex system. The haldex system is computer controlled, there are several sensors that feed the system to enable it to work, any one of these sensors could be at fault which could cause haldex issues. There is a steering angle sensor that tells the computer if the car is going round a corner this is calibrated at the factory and is very often not factored in when wheel alignment is carried out, this sensor needs to reed strait ahead when the wheels are strait, if not this can cause issues with the haldex system. Any of the good specialists should know about all aspects of the haldex setup. I we can be of any assistants please get in touch.

Regards

Jon
VAGtech
www.vagtech.co.uk
01525 279513

 

[thegoal007]

Thanks for that VAGtech. These sensors you speak about , surely would show up on a computer as faulty when plugged in for a check up at the main dealer ? I don't drive the car much but have noticed it for months on start ups. But today, it was a very warm day and have not noticed the problem - which is very rare ! As you say the next step is the haldex oil change - which has been kept up to-date during the car's life (main dealer history).

 

[VAGTECH]

Hi
You are correct a faulty sensor would show up during a diagnostic check, however if say the steering angle sensor was working but not reading 0 degrees when the steering wheel was strait it could cause an issue and would not show up on a check. This can happen when the car has not been aligned correctly or worse still someone has taken the steering wheel off to make it strait etc. It is interesting you say on a hot day the problem is not there. Start with the haldex oil change and see how you get on. Good luck solving this problem, if we can help in any way let us know
Regards
Jon
VAGtech
01525 279513
www.vagtech.co.uk