Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!?

soap4r wrote:
> Hi there:
>
> I am hoping someone in the group has experienced the same (or a
> similar) problem and can guide me towards possible causes and a
> solution. The problem starts when the ignition is turned off but the
> key still in the ignition lock. The in-dash display is displaying some
> funky stuff and as it's a bit difficult to describe I uploaded a short
> clip to youtube
>
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPnTXA_oVvs>
>
> Any advice is greatly appreciated. I did check for clogging due to
> leaves, etc. near the A columns and even took off the plastic covers
> and wiper blades to see if any water had penetrated into the
> electronic control unit housing but it was all dry... (it did rain
> quite a bit here in the past several days).
>
> Any advice is greatly appreciated!
>
> Thanks, Harry.
>
> P.S.: There's nothing wrong with the oil level - I checked.
>
>
>
I think that it is reporting that you have several problems:
- Leaking gas filler cap or a problem with the evaporation control system
- Non functioning auto leveling headlight control
- low on oil or oil pressure

You should get the codes scanned to verify the problems.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

On Jan 6, 8:56 pm, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd....RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
> It seems like certain electrical systems are still receiving power with the ign in the off position when they shouldn't.
> Will it also act like that if you insert key in ign, turn it on but not start the engine, and turn it off?
>
> I would suspect the ign switch or a relay!
>
> Just not sure though!
> --
> later,
> dave
> (One out of many daves)
> 1997 Red A4 1.8tq auto

Hi Dave:

no, it doesn't do that if I insert the key and turn ignition on but
don't start the engine - also if I then go back to the zero position
with key (not having the started the engine) I won't see this
behavior, i.e. I must have started the engine and turned it off again
(that error is repeatable every time).

My biggest hope is that someone else had the exact same problem...

Thanks, Harry.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

On Jan 6, 11:01 pm, Harry <groupal....TakeThisOut@mac.com> wrote:
> > I think that it is reporting that you have several problems:
> > - Leaking gas filler cap or a problem with the evaporation control system
> > - Non functioning auto leveling headlight control
> > - low on oil or oil pressure
>
> > You should get the codes scanned to verify the problems.
>
> All of a sudden and all at the same time!? I find that highly unlikely
> - did check the oil level just to make sure and it's perfect. Car
> drives just fine otherwise. I am down $ 150.- just to have the codes
> scanned - that's what the dealerships here charge :-/ Therefore
> looking for additional help and suggestions.
>
> Having had my share of experience with this model I am pretty sure I
> am not alone out there who's experienced this symptom.
>
> Thanks, Harry.

Harry, Autozone stores (and probably some other brands) will scan the
codes for free and give you a nice printout of the results. You really
need to get the codes scanned before doing anything else, that's
really the only way to tell what's happening here.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

> Harry, Autozone stores (and probably some other brands) will scan the
> codes for free and give you a nice printout of the results. You really
> need to get the codes scanned before doing anything else, that's
> really the only way to tell what's happening here.
>
> Dan D
> '04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
> Central NJ USA

Hi Dan:

thanks for the tip - I called a local repair station who would be able
to do that but - after explaining the situation - they indicated that
they wouldn't see any codes unless the check engine light was also
on... It's off in my case.

Cheerio, Harry.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

On Jan 7, 6:42 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd... DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
> Wild guessing here.........
> Does your A4 have a timer for the turbo?  
> Does the engine stay running for a few minutes to cool down the turbo?

Hi Dave:

no, the engine turns off immediately. Not sure whether I have a
"timer"!?

Cheerio, Harry.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

Harry wrote:
> On Jan 7, 6:42 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd... DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Wild guessing here.........
>> Does your A4 have a timer for the turbo?
>> Does the engine stay running for a few minutes to cool down the turbo?
>>
>
> Hi Dave:
>
> no, the engine turns off immediately. Not sure whether I have a
> "timer"!?
>
> Cheerio, Harry.
>
A4 1.8T does not have a turbo timer unless added by the owner.

Your local repair shop is not correct about the codes. The car stored
them even without a CEL. Try another shop that is more familiar with Audis.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

Cheerio, Harry.
>
> A4 1.8T does not have a turbo timer unless added by the owner.
>
> Your local repair shop is not correct about the codes. The car stored
> them even without a CEL. Try another shop that is more familiar with Audis.

thanks - will do.

Small update: as magically as the problem surfaced it magically
disappeared again today (until the next rain I guess)... Will still
have the codes scanned at the next best opportunity.

If the cause is found I'll post an update to the list.

Thanks, Harry.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

On Jan 8, 4:05 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd....TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote:
> any water leaking inside of car?
>

no, everything seems fine there. Best case it's just been the extreme
humidity associated with the recent rain... Let's see.

Thanks, Harry.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

On Jan 10, 10:53 am, Booker <kitra_b_boo... DeleteThis @yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Jan 8, 6:05 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd... DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > any water leaking inside of car?
>
> >   "Harry" <groupal... DeleteThis @mac.com> wrote in messagenews:0d92331e-237a-4aba-8f18-117742713777@k39g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
> >   Cheerio, Harry.
>
> >   > A4 1.8T does not have a turbo timer unless added by the owner.
>
> >   > Your local repair shop is not correct about the codes. The car stored
> >   > them even without a CEL. Try another shop that is more familiar with Audis.
>
> >   thanks - will do.
>
> >   Small update: as magically as the problem surfaced it magically
> >   disappeared again today (until the next rain I guess)... Will still
> >   have the codes scanned at the next best opportunity.
>
> >   If the cause is found I'll post an update to the list.
>
> >   Thanks, Harry.
>
> My 2002 Audi A-6 3.0 took in a TON of water in a couple severe rain/
> wind storms this past summer 2007.  

I don't get it - how did your car get so much water inside? I live in
an area that gets severe summer thunderstorms, with 50+mph winds and
torrential downpours. None of my Audis ever got wet inside, unless a
window was down!

E.P.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

On Jan 10, 3:56 pm, "Ian G" <ian.gaskell.wotnos....TakeThisOut@tesco.net> wrote:
> "Ed Pirrero" <gcmschem....TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:6da70ca4-6c29-45fc-9519-437f41f9f955@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 10, 10:53 am, Booker <kitra_b_boo....TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> >> My 2002 Audi A-6 3.0 took in a TON of water in a couple severe rain/
> >>wind storms this past summer 2007.
> >I don't get it - how did your car get so much water inside?  I live in
> >an area that gets severe summer thunderstorms, with 50+mph winds and
> >torrential downpours.  None of my Audis ever got wet inside, unless a
> >window was down!
> >E.P.
>
> I have reported to the group before.....  (search for WATER INGRESS A6) as I
> have experienced similar MAJOR flooding with multiple consequences.
> There is a drain "tube" hidden away under the  battery. This gets blocked
> with leaves etc, allows the chamber the battery is located in to fill with
> water. It floods the  wiper motor, fusebox & everything else within that
> chamber, then  water finds its way to the car interior via grommets where
> cables pass from the interior of the car into engine compartment. Thence the
> wiring loom gets saturated & crimped connectors with it get corroded. Not to
> mention the risk to any control modules located in the footwells. . . .
>
> Maybe you don't park your car near any trees Ed ?


I used to, before I had a garage. Even now, I park the cars under
trees in parking lots, etc.

I have always cleared the drains, even way back when before I owned
Audis - othe rmakes have this same set-up.

ISTR reading about it in an owner's manual.

Sunroofs have drains, too. Does everyone ignore those things, too? I
clean those out every couple of years - they collect dirt and clog as
well.

Sorry, but if folks think the only thing they need to do to a car is
put gas in and make the payments, then blame the manufacturer for not
idiot-proofing their cars...

E.P.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

On Jan 10, 4:49 pm, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd....RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Will the owner's manual instruct you on how to clean the drains, both sunroof and under the battery?
>
> I think that services like that should be done during "servicing" the vehicle. So if it is the owner that does it or the repair person...............someone has to do it! <g>
> I have found over a gallon bucket of leaves and debris under some batteries or in that tray area. Surprising!!!

Yeah, a good service person should point it out. The owner's manual
should say that such things need to be done, if not how.

Sort of like an oil change.

I clean the cowl drains with my finger at every oil change, so I never
have had the problem. The sunroof drains I clean the first time I
vacuum the car in the spring (outside the garage).

I dunno - I'm have trouble working up concern for folks who don't do
this stuff. It's not a secret.

E.P.


> "Ed Pirrero" <gcmschem....RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in messagenews:40e17fe3-7cbc-404a-8a59-7207f25e5e71@s27g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> On Jan 10, 3:56 pm, "Ian G" <ian.gaskell.wotnos....RemoveThis@tesco.net> wrote:
> > "Ed Pirrero" <gcmschem....RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >
> >news:6da70ca4-6c29-45fc-9519-437f41f9f955@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
> > On Jan 10, 10:53 am, Booker <kitra_b_boo....RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> > >> My 2002 Audi A-6 3.0 took in a TON of water in a couple severe rain/
> > >>wind storms this past summer 2007.
> > >I don't get it - how did your car get so much water inside? I live in
> > >an area that gets severe summer thunderstorms, with 50+mph winds and
> > >torrential downpours. None of my Audis ever got wet inside, unless a
> > >window was down!
> > >E.P.
> >
> > I have reported to the group before..... (search for WATER INGRESS A6) as I
> > have experienced similar MAJOR flooding with multiple consequences.
> > There is a drain "tube" hidden away under the battery. This gets blocked
> > with leaves etc, allows the chamber the battery is located in to fill with
> > water. It floods the wiper motor, fusebox & everything else within that
> > chamber, then water finds its way to the car interior via grommets where
> > cables pass from the interior of the car into engine compartment. Thence the
> > wiring loom gets saturated & crimped connectors with it get corroded. Not to
> > mention the risk to any control modules located in the footwells. . . .
> >
> > Maybe you don't park your car near any trees Ed ?
>
> I used to, before I had a garage. Even now, I park the cars under
> trees in parking lots, etc.
>
> I have always cleared the drains, even way back when before I owned
> Audis - othe rmakes have this same set-up.
>
> ISTR reading about it in an owner's manual.
>
> Sunroofs have drains, too. Does everyone ignore those things, too? I
> clean those out every couple of years - they collect dirt and clog as
> well.
>
> Sorry, but if folks think the only thing they need to do to a car is
> put gas in and make the payments, then blame the manufacturer for not
> idiot-proofing their cars...
>
> E.P.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

"Ed Pirrero" <gcmschemist RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6da70ca4-6c29-45fc-9519-437f41f9f955@n20g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
On Jan 10, 10:53 am, Booker <kitra_b_boo... RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote:

>>
>> My 2002 Audi A-6 3.0 took in a TON of water in a couple severe rain/
>>wind storms this past summer 2007.

>I don't get it - how did your car get so much water inside? I live in
>an area that gets severe summer thunderstorms, with 50+mph winds and
>torrential downpours. None of my Audis ever got wet inside, unless a
>window was down!

>E.P.



I have reported to the group before..... (search for WATER INGRESS A6) as I
have experienced similar MAJOR flooding with multiple consequences.
There is a drain "tube" hidden away under the battery. This gets blocked
with leaves etc, allows the chamber the battery is located in to fill with
water. It floods the wiper motor, fusebox & everything else within that
chamber, then water finds its way to the car interior via grommets where
cables pass from the interior of the car into engine compartment. Thence the
wiring loom gets saturated & crimped connectors with it get corroded. Not to
mention the risk to any control modules located in the footwells. . . .

Maybe you don't park your car near any trees Ed ?

Just my experience

Ian
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!? 

On Jan 11, 5:24 am, Frank <NoSpam....DeleteThis@online.no> wrote:
> Ed Pirrero knastet inn: :
>
> > On Jan 10, 10:53 am, Booker <kitra_b_boo....DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >> On Jan 8, 6:05 am, "dave AKA vwdoc1" <vwd....DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I don't get it - how did your car get so much water inside?  I live in
> > an area that gets severe summer thunderstorms, with 50+mph winds and
> > torrential downpours.  None of my Audis ever got wet inside, unless a
> > window was down!
>
> One possible (and common) reason, blocked drain hole under the pollen
> filter/battery.


I read that. I guess since I've always cleaned out my drains, I never
consider it as a possible source.

A car requires more than payments and gas - I'm amazed that folks
ignore this stuff, especially when the results of ignoring it are so
expensive. It's like ignoring the change interval on the timing belt.

E.P.
 >> Stay informed about: Audi A4 1.8 2002 electrical problems!?