Audi A4 Maintenance and Repair

2367 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 8:34 AM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

    
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#1812 of 2367 Faulty Brake Light Switch ... by hauschild

Jun 30, 2008 (10:54 am)

Guys,
 
2005.5 A4 - 35k miles - 2.0 Turbo Quattro
 
While on vacation this last week, I noticed the brake lights illuminating on the A4 as I walked out the door in the morning to take a ride. I found this severely odd - no light switches were turned on inside the vehicle and the car started, but barely. That day came and went without event.
 
However, a few days later as I attempted to take another drive, the battery was completely dead. I had my pops jump it and it started. The following evening, the battery was completely dead again. Had my pops jump again and the following morning it was completely dead once again.
 
So, I looked up the nearest Audi dealership in Wausau, Wisconsin and headed out for the nice 120 mile jaunt. Arrived mid-morning and explained the situation with the service manager. They couldn't find a problem after an hour messing around. I then let the manager know about the brakes lights being on that one morning. That was deal-sealer as the tech quickly found a faulty brake light switch.
 
My first question is why in the hell does a faulty brake light switch not cause some type of fault code??? I really found it odd that something as drastic as a piece of faulty circuitry that completely disables an engine can go unnoticed by the computer???
 
Anyhow, maybe this will help anybody that goes thru something like this in the future.
 
There was another thing I'd like some comments on. As I was talking with the service manager with the engine idling, he told me there is something wrong with my engine because it idles too loudly. I've never listened to an A4 engine, so I thought mine was normal. I was in a hurry that day to resume my vacation, so I told him I'd hold off until I return to Chicago, but he told me to definitely get it checked out because something's not right. Other than that, it runs good and I am getting around 34mpg's on my highway drives which is real good. Anybody have any concrete information on the engine that I can use before I make an appointment? I'm not sure a service manager would do much if I came in and said my engine was loud, ya know? Something specific would be appreciated.
 
Thanks!

#1813 of 2367 Re: Audi A4 Bose speaker by robin25

Jun 30, 2008 (5:49 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (May 23, 2001 7:27 am)
My son's 2004 Audi A4 has Bose speakers and the front driver's side speaker seems to have blown. Can anyone tell me how I can go about getting it replaced other than to take it to the Audi dealer?

#1814 of 2367 Re: Audi A4 Bose speaker [robin25] by huntzinger

Jul 01, 2008 (10:50 am)

Replying to: robin25 (Jun 30, 2008 5:49 pm)
For a starting point, you might want to check out the website for Crutchfield, or find a hardcopy of their catalog. They offer aftermarket stereos and speakers for nearly all cars sold in the USA and as such, they have the info for "drop in" types of replacements.
 
Their website is
 
They used to have an affiliation with Discover Credit Card, which you might be able to save another 20% if you use part of your 'Cashback Bonus' for a gift card or whatever.
 
-hh

#1815 of 2367 Re: Wiper stopped working [amand] by a6vos

Jul 01, 2008 (1:46 pm)

Replying to: amand (Jun 09, 2008 9:18 pm)
the motor may still be fuctional, but i would suggest to open up the motor and look at the gears inside, they may be worn.

#1816 of 2367 window master switch by glenn15

Jul 05, 2008 (2:41 pm)

Hi, This is my first question,any input welcome.I have a 1993 Audi 100 Avant,and
 have a problem with the electric windows.when i first start the car the windows
 do not operate,then after about 5mins they work ok,thie same thing happens every time i start the car,it also stops me closing the windows via the door lock.
Could the problem be the master switch?
Thanks,Graham

#1817 of 2367 Audi A4 2004 by pug3

Jul 07, 2008 (7:57 am)

Check Engine light stays on. What could be the problem?

#1818 of 2367 Re: Audi A4 2004 [pug3] by eddie650

Jul 07, 2008 (6:25 pm)

Replying to: pug3 (Jul 07, 2008 7:57 am)
No way to know for sure without taking your car in to be checked out.
 
I'm aware that if the oxygen sensor goes bad for some reason, the check engine light comes on. At work this happens on the Malibu's in our fleet when the rodents chew on a wire when the car is parked in the lot overnight in the same space for a few days. For some reason, they go after the Malibu's and ignore the Stratus vehicles we have.

#1819 of 2367 Re: HELP!!!!!!!! [richuk] by mdstoloff

Jul 08, 2008 (12:55 pm)

Replying to: richuk (Jun 03, 2008 8:15 pm)
Rich:
 
I had the same issue with my 06 A4 Avant. Traction light would come on an over-ride the engine. The dealer tried to fix the car several times but failed. Finally they said they placed an order for a new PC board that controlled the engine. They needed to get this direct from Audi in Germany and was made for my spacific vin number.... Worked like a charm. I have not had any issue since then.
Good Luck...
Michael

#1820 of 2367 Re: A4 2.0T tail pipe soot [65tuxedopark] by deepstar

Jul 09, 2008 (1:12 am)

Replying to: 65tuxedopark (Dec 26, 2007 11:34 pm)
I have the same "problem" with my new 2008 Audi A4 2.0T Quattro. Lots of Slimey Black Soot in the exhaust. Makes a big mess trying to wipe down the tips. When it's wet...it splatters all over the back of the car. Why is this happening? This can't be good for my Catalytic's. Is anyone at Audi aware of this? I Went to the dealer...they told me I had "Bad Gas" and to refill with "Shell" Brand gas instead of the premium "BP" gas that I was currently using. I have never heard of this. This has to be a joke. I seem to be getting a lot of "Bad Gas" these days and it 's nothing Beano can fix!

#1821 of 2367 Re: A4 2.0T tail pipe soot [deepstar] by ilrndude

Jul 10, 2008 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: deepstar (Jul 09, 2008 1:12 am)
deepstar,
 
They weren't joking about the "bad gas." Some brands have additives which will help prevent the very problem you describe. Brands such as Shell, Texaco, Chevron, and Conoco are good. Avoid Mobil/Exxon and BP. Google this issue about gas. It's not just Audis which are affected.
 
There should have been information provided when you bought your car. With the other owner material was included a list of good gas brands. I already knew about it and have been careful about the gas we put in our other car--a Saab.
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