New here so hello to everyone, hopefully you guys can help me out with some advice.

The other half has an 2003 A3 TDi (great car). It had a service at a non Audi dealer (but reputable garage) two weeks ago.
She has just called me to say that the coil warning light and the engine managment system warning light have come on this morning.
I've contacted Audi and the garage that did the service and they are going to look in to it. But I have a few questions:

Obvious one first is the car safe to drive (short distances to work etc)

Possible fault diagnosis?

Is this going to be expensive?

Can I do it myself (fairly competent with mechanics)

Cheers Mike

 

not very fermilar with the tdi's, wish I was, anyway, the best thing I can say is to have it scaned and come back with the codes. we should then be able to throw some ideas around. Oh and welcome.

 

I've owned TDI's before and I would guess that one of the plugs is malfunctioning or the wiring harness has become corroded and the contacts aren't good anymore. Flyboy is correct, must not be drunk, that if you post the codes we could solve it quickly. The car should be fine to drive, especially in the warmer weather. Send over the codes and I'll step you through the process of checking each plug with a multimeter and harness salvaging techniques.

Cheers!

Chef

 

Cheers guys.

Had the car checked today and thought we'd got it beat but no.

The fault apears to be with the brake lights, which are not working now as the fuse keeps blowing. The garage changed the fuse and bulbs and everything seemed OK for a half hour or so and then back to the orignial problem.

The computer readout states (as taken directly from the readout, hopefully means more to you than it does to me)

Control module diagnosis AUDI Diesel EDC 15p Error Memory 423B Stop Lamp Switch singnal improbable

Error Static

Control module diagnosis AUDI ESP Teves Mk60 Error Memory

020E Brake Light Switch Singal Improbable

059B Brake Pressure Sensor Singnal Improbable
No of errors 2

Obviously I'll get in touch with garage tomorrow but your ideas and toughts are most welcome

 

Does your cruise control not function anymore. Do your brake lights not work?

If the above statements are true then you have a bad switch. If you look above your brake pedal you'll see a plunger switch that activates your brake lights. VAG is notorious for these failing. Just disconnect the wiring harness, depress the brake with one hand and the switch will twist 90 degrees then you can pull it out. It costs about $20-$30 from the dealer. It's a little trickier to put back in though. Make sure the plunger is pulled OUT fully before starting. Depress the brake pedal all of the way and insert the switch into the slot, noting which way the "key" tab fits into the housing. Make sure that it's in ALL of the way and slow let go of the brake and you'll hear the plunger ratcheting down. When done, twist the switch into place, attach the harness and check for brake functionality. If the brake lights do not come on, then repeat the installation procedure. This should hopefully cure all of your woes and not cost a lot.

Let me know if that isn't your problem and we can work on additional diagnosis, but this is the most common.

Cheers!

Chef

 

Cheers,

The car hasn't got cruise control, but I've just searched the forum and found a guy had the same problem with an A6 that was resolved by changing the switch you mention. Would this account for the repeated blown fuses?

 

Replaced the brake light switch as insturcted no problem there.

Now fuse for brake lights keeps blowing. I cannot even get the fuse in the holder as soon as it makes a connection it blows. At the moment the car is back at the garage.

 

check the break light rear units for a short in the wiring

 

Problem Sorted

The switch as predicted was faulty. When installing the new switch I hadn't rotated it enough it in bracket (doh!), even though I'm sure I couldn't rotate it any more!

Apparently there is an internal conection that is made when the switch is rotated, because this connection was only partly made it was shorting out and hence blowing the fuse.

Other half is happy now.

Thanks for the help guys, I owe you.

 

Glad we could help. I told you the install was a little trickier. Sorry that it took me too long to get back to this post. Seems that you have it all under control though.

Feels good, huh!

How much did the brake light switch cost you? How much you think you saved over going to the dealer?

Cheers!

Chef