The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (Full Version)

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The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving..

  

toysnob -> The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/4/2006 7:46:50 PM)

I was driving up to Chappaqua and noticed it on. I went another 3 miles until I could find a spot to pull over. I turned the engine off, and 15 seconds later turned it on again, and the warning light was no longer there.

I didn't have the manual in my car at the time, it was at home.

Just read what it says about that warning light, it says if the light is on while driving "then there is a malfunction in the engine electronics. Have the malfunction corrected as soon as possible by your authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop."

So if the light is gone, do I still need to take her in?

Anyone else have this happen so far?

  
Trev -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/4/2006 8:47:42 PM)

Have not had that happen to me T.S.-don't think it is anything major but I would take her in to get a check up just to be safe. I have had mine now for exactly 1 month and have had it looked at for various reasons around 3-4 times. EX: Nav system locked up on me for no reason and I wasn't given the pin to unlock (if that ever happens and you try to unlock but fail to enter the right code 2 times, this system locks up completely and you have to wait an hour to retry....don't turn off the car or the 1 hour delay resets itself FYI). Also, had a faulty main oil line, had replaced. A few other small problems but nothing major. The potential for your car having a huge problem is evident, however, 1. its an Audi 2. its an RS4 and 3. you would have some signal warning before a major problem occured. Like I said, just to be safe, don't hesitate -take it by your dealer and have an RS certified tech look at it.

[image]local://upfiles/17633/E068751CEDE04B07874CF3F07438C911.jpg[/image]

Cheese Eater -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/6/2006 11:09:06 PM)

keep running it! if the light comes back and you can get it in, do so. as a mechanic i can say that computers help alleviate basic nuts and bolts problems of old machinery, but they can come up with glitches. if you are tired of hearing of "it's just like reseting your home computer" then listen to this; i tell c-17 pilots to "go black" after all four engines are started if the mission computers won't cooperate to reset the systems and make them cooperate. if the fault codes can "reset" in a $270 million dollar aerospace vehicle, i'm sure it's okay for your baby's brain too.

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/9/2006 1:00:07 AM)

Well I should update you guys.

After the first incident, it happened again, I started the car, and the EPC light came on, this time with the MIL indicator (check engine I believe).. So I brought it in.

They scanned the computer and said that they found error codes for the following:

1) Intake Runner failure (one of the intake flaps may either be half opened or not properly closing/opening)

2) Intake Runner Sensor failure (related to above)

3) Oxygen Sensor failure

When I pressed them on the issue they said that they have scanned a bunch of information and sent it to Audi's product specialists for this car and are waiting to hear back from them. They claimed Audi will probably start off by doing a telephone diagnostic, which is where they hook the car up to a computer and the computer is then sending data over the Internet to an Audi tech at AoA.

Then after that they said its likely the product specialists from Audi will want to come out and see the car, and then if necessary, they might need to order parts.

I dunno man, that sounds like a lot of time to fix those simple problems. They did say there is also a chance as Cheese Eater said that its just a computer issue.

I am very impatient to think I might lose my baby for up to a week or more when I've only had it 6 days and 318 miles.


Trev -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/9/2006 11:53:43 AM)

Damn, very sorry to hear that T.S.! I knew (hoped otherwise) that you should bring it in, glad you did. Sounds like its something that can easily be fixed...however, with the amount of manpower and oversea's help getting envolved, it could be pretty major. They might actually know what it is and don't want you to flip so they are making the situation as vague as possible? I can't believe that man.
I will say, I know the feeling on givin up your new baby right after purchase! After having mine for 5 days I started to notice oil leaking in my garage and went "what the fu**"! Took it in a sure enough the tech said "I've got bad news". Thats all I needed to hear and said "here's the keys". I was reluctant-but knew it had to be fixed. I ended up having to leave my car there for 3 days. We all thought it would be a week or more but long story short, strings were pulled, the part overnighted from Germany and thus...problem solved. They even had to take off the front bumper to fix it! AHH! I will say, the customer service at my dealer is phenominal.
Keep us posted on this issue. I am really interested to see what it was and how it was fixed? Again, sorry to hear of your troubles and hope you get "her" back ASAP dude!

[image]local://upfiles/17633/0E7048C7278B4B8B81325DDB516D67DF.jpg[/image]

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/9/2006 2:28:03 PM)

Thx Trev for the encouragement.

I'm a bit afraid about this dealership because its not where I bought the car from and I sensed a bit of reluctance on the service rep's part initially, and he doesn't seem to be enthralled when talking to me and is pretty vague about how long this is gonna take. I called the sales guy who I bought it at from a different dealership (farther drive) and he said if I don't get satisfactory info by Monday afternoon that I should take the car back from them and bring it in to their dealership, they will expedite everything and I will be on their high priority list. He said its likely that I'm not on the priority list of this other dealership because I didn't buy the RS4 from them. That pisses me off though because I TRIED to buy it from them but they didn't have it, and only 10 months earlier I bought an S4 from them.

I'd prefer not to have to move it to the other dealer, if only because that might restart the whole initial process and waste time. However if this dealer is really dragging their feet and not taking this with the utmost seriousness, then what choice do I have?

The service rep at the dealer who has it now said on Friday morning that they're waiting to get a call back from Audi with info on how to proceed.

Trev -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/9/2006 3:15:34 PM)

ALL RS4, RS6 and A8 customers are considered "High Priority" T.S.-no matter what dealer you are at! Who cares if you didn't buy the car from them...they should still be bending over backwards considering the type of vehicle and your very recent purchase. Thats some serious BS + keep an eye on the mileage!
I would contact your regional director immediatley and inform him/her of the service or lack there of. I garantee you will see results. If you can't contact him/her, have your salesman you bought the car through do it for you-recommended.
Also, there are only 26 RS certified dealerships (RS certified techs work at) in the US FYI. Granted the # is probably rising...26 or even 36 out of 1500 is pretty slim. The dealer you are at probably doesn't have the experience and that is why you are not favored...just a thought?
Basically, if I were you, the whip would be cracking first thing tomorrow morning until I finally got some answers and an agenda for fixing the problem. I wouldn't piss anyone off but at least let them know you have the capability to be "a wolf in sheeps clothing". Even if you do piss someone off and they "jimmy" with your baby...its all covered under warranty, lets hope that doesn't happen though.
Good luck, keep me posted!

[image]local://upfiles/17633/C03A1D030FEC4CC4BDDC9D709322C5BE.jpg[/image]

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/9/2006 5:25:54 PM)

Trev, the dealer its at now (Greenwich, CT) is the largest Audi dealer in the US, they have 2 RS certified techs. The dealer I bought it from (Englewood, NJ) also has 2 RS certified techs.

When I asked my service rep if this car was going to be a priority considering it's an RS4 (in terms of whether Audi will get back to them quicker, not in terms of whether they, the service dept, will be quicker), he said not really because all cars are important to Audi, regardless of whether its an RS or an A4. I dunno, that just sounds like freaking bullshit to me. Then again I get the sense this guy hasn't liked me for some reason since day one, so who knows.

I will be on the phone tomorrow at 11am, (that gives him a few hours to get in, check his email/voicemail and find out where things are at). If he doesn't sound highly interested during that phone conversation, I might just say to him "you know what, the dealer I bought it from says they can get this done a lot faster and with more ugency, so I think I'm going to try my luck with them, thanks for your time, I'll be there in half an hour to pick her up"...

Btw, when you say "jimmy" with the car, do you mean they might intentionally screw something up just to spite me? That is mind boggling, would they actually do that? I am actually more worried about it getting scratched, dented or even slightly marred on its exterior. The other thing about mileage, I know it the exact mileage and I know they have not done any fixes yet so they have no reason to have driven it.

But it sounds like you think Trev that the problems themselves are not major right? I mean it doesn't sound like I got a lemon. I just want this car back in my caring hands as soon as possible. The more time its away, the more chance there is for someone to mess it up.

Trev -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/10/2006 12:10:50 AM)

First, glad to hear that both dealers are RS certified. next, your service rep is wrong, there is a difference b/t RS and A4 owners. He is right in a sense b/c the customer (no matter who is always right and is always priority). However, the fact is you are an RS4 owner (80k vehicle) according to my dealer...means you are priority.
Third, I like your way of handling it in the morning-let him get in and come aware that its Monday before you potentially drop a bomb. Might be good to catch him off gaurd by doing it a little earlier but at least this way you can say you gave the guy a chance and feel good about driving away knowing you did all you could--w/ in reason.
When I say "Jimmy" I mean exactly that "screw with something". I would like to believe that audi stands far away from the avaerage domestic dealer but, I will say from experience those things do happen. Sometimes just b/c you have a nicer car than they ever will and feel you don't deserve it...not b/c you said something offensive/isn't that a damn shame. I have learned to be curt yet curtious. If I know they (dealerships) don't have a chance to do anything and the keys are in my possesion ready to leave the lot and to never return again...feel free to say what you will and don't look back. I'm sure you know 9 out of 10 dealers usually consist of crooks. I hate to say that but for the most part it's true!
Just wanted to throw out the mileage topic so you would be aware before you drove it off the lot. This is a world class super car and I am sure if some idiot had the chance he would gladly take it for a spin. I sincerely hope not for his sake, but always be on guard with a car of this magnitude.
I don't think the problem is all that major but do think it has the potential for being big if not fixed properly. In order for your car to be a lemon it has to have the same problem occur 5 times or more in a year and be "fixed" every time out of the 5. It would suck if it were a lemon but thats why when you signed the deal there was a $2-3 lemon fee...so if it was, you would be "re-embursed" with a brand new RS. I hope that isn't the case. Just make sure they get the damn thing in the shop, get you some answers and get you in your car S.T.A.T.!

[image]local://upfiles/17633/56E4DB56CBB940E2B223DA4A10AC1BA6.jpg[/image]

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/10/2006 9:08:43 AM)

Ok well here's an update.

I got a call from my service rep at 8:15 this morning, before I even woke up :) - So he beat me to the punch. He said that they heard back from Audi and that Audi will be sending a product support specialist for this car out there tomorrow (or Wednesday at the latest) and the guy will most likely be someone from Germany. He said that Audi felt there was nothing they could diagnose by telephone based on the issues. He also said that his RS techs have an idea of what parts they want to replace but they want to wait for the Audi tech before ordering anything, because they could be wrong.

So all that sounds like he's on the ball, and I'm thinking I may leave it with them another 36 hours to see how it progresses, since it seems they are moving at a reasonable speed. He said he would let me know as soon as he has some concrete information for me.

However, the one thing that bugged me was that I told him my car hadn't been washed since I bought it and that I wanted to stop by later to drive it down the block to my car wash guy. He said "the car stays here". He was adammant about me not taking it to be cleaned and assured me that because it's so new that the clear coat would protect it. He also said they wash cars there and I said I prefer everything done by hand. Still kind of odd that he wouldn't let me take my own car to be washed. Can the problem be so serious that it shouldn't be driven even 5 blocks to get washed?

The other thing I asked was to make sure that if they needed to drive it to test the repairs, that they not drive it on the highway because I have not had a chance yet to put the 3M Clear Bra on the car and I didn't want rock chips of any kind. He said he'd try but they most likely are going to want to test it on a highway.


Bad Poet -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/10/2006 9:23:56 AM)

You forgot to say Krispy Kreme...

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/10/2006 9:58:39 AM)

An even nicer gift for them is on the way. Hopefully it will grease the wheels so to speak.

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/10/2006 3:44:07 PM)

Well maybe karma is good for you.. I got a call that the Audi tech is already visiting my car and my service rep also called to thank me for the gift. I am happy to hear he's happy, I like people who are helping me to know how much I appreciate their help and that I don't take them for granted. So things are looking good so far.

I have renewed faith and stopped worrying. My car seems to be in very capable hands.

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/10/2006 4:19:13 PM)

Well I got another update.

They said that they can fix the intake runners by hand, it just needs the flap to be slightly adjusted.

However, the oxygen sensor needs to be replaced. There are 4 of them in the car and 3 of mine are working and 1 of mine is borderling functioning.

He said I could actually take the car home now if I want and drive it until he gets the replacement part, which could take 7-10 business days, but usually arrives a bit sooner.

But he suggested I just leave it because I'll have to hand it back over again once the parts come in.

So I said ok, i don't want to part with it twice, I'll wait..

Hopefully I'll have it back by next tuesday, next friday at the latest according to him.

That would make it about 2 weeks. if it goes that long I will twist AoA's arm very hard to pay for half of the month's payment. That is a long time for a new car.

Right now though the dealer's service rep is doing everything well so far.

He even said he will ensure the car stays out of the sun and inside on the lift up in the air, so nobody even gets near it, and the dirt won't get baked onto the clear coat :)

Guess the closest I'll come to driving my RS4 in the near future will be by playing Project Gotham 3 on my XBOX 360 :) :(

tsunami racer -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 11:56:39 AM)

AHHH!!! this happened to me this morning on the drive into work!!! i have 110 miles on the damn car and i just picked up it LAST NIGHT!!!! holy crap!!!

i shut it off and turned it back on and the light went away but i'll keep an eye on it.

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 12:09:18 PM)

Bring it in now. Don't wait, it's worth finding out sooner than later what is causing it. It may or may not be the same thing that is in my car.

I know it sucks BIG TIME!

Trev -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 1:28:27 PM)

What the Fu** GmbH!? The RS4 is supposed to be Bullet proof...atleast for the first year or two w/ out any mods! I am starting to wonder if "z germans" are sending over defective RS's (if there is such a thing)-call me pesimistic. Alot of U.S. RS4 owners have had a major malfunction w/in their first week...unacceptable AUDI!
I too know how hard it is to not have my RS for days due to the problems I have mentioned in the past and Yes it does SUCK! What is even harder is trying to explain to your buddies why you are not in your new 80k ride?!
I hate to hear that for you tsunami. As I told T.S.-get it in there ASAP! Refer to the problem Toysnob is having, might help them identify the problem?

techbod -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 2:12:56 PM)

from what info I can gather its down to the MAF but you can check it out your selves
http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=audi+epc+faults&hl=en&lr=&start=0&sa=N

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 2:20:49 PM)

I have to say that it has kind of killed off a lot of the buzz I had. It really sucks. I never had any issues with my S4 like this.

I am going to pick up my RS4 this afternoon. The O2 part isn't in yet but I decided I'd rather have the car in my garage where I can show it to friends and sit in it and clean it, than having it sit at the dealer for another week.

toysnob -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 2:22:33 PM)

Is the MAF (Mass Airflow Sensor) the same thing as the oxygen sensor?

That is basically what is wrong in my car. The service rep said there are 4 of these sensors and that 3 of them are working and one is borderline working.

techbod -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 2:25:59 PM)

oxygen sensor = o2 sensor/lambda sensor, you show me a car that doesn't have a problem and ill show you round the moon on foot[;)]

techbod -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 2:36:59 PM)

its a simple problem and common on the V6, the precat o2 sensor is always the first to go down (sitting behind the steering wheel it to your right hand side regardless of RHD/LHD) BANK 1 SENSOR 2 there are many reasons for this sensor to fail but the most common is cold water shock (it speaks for its self) drive on normal road and go through cold water and bam you have the problem, there is a code for that sensor so the dealer/garage should be able to tell you

Trev -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 2:38:04 PM)

I will admit, all cars do have problems. However, having the kind of problems that we are having with brand new super cars built by experts/some decendants of gottlieb diamler (man who created the internal cumbustion engine), happening w/in the first week of purchase is rediculous.
I never thought I wouldn't have a problem with this car but I (along with everyone else) did not think this would happen so soon. Lets take a poll and see what everyone thinks about this car and the amount of problems we find ourselves having. I'll bank on the fact that most would agree that it shouldn't be happening so soon or happening period.
Adding new pads, rotors, clutch, possible blown speaker...simple stuff like that-ya, you would expect over time to replace. But having to reset/replace the mass airflow sensor in the first week, come on, flat out wrong dude!

tsunami racer -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 2:43:35 PM)

i'm going to print out this entire thread and walk it into the dealer. and i'll insist on getting one of their loaner Q7s for my trouble. i think that's the least they can do [:@]

techbod -> RE: The EPC warning symbol came on today while driving.. (7/11/2006 2:44:16 PM)

did you know more (new cars) have more problems the 3 year old cars ( which is why I wont buy new) and the reason is called running in and common to new cars, so buy a 3 year old car that has had all the tinkering problems sorted at their cost to enjoy your "new ride" the new buyer or newB sorts all your problems out[;)] FACT

  

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