Dear Anybody!,
It seems as though my A6 auto has gone into "Failsafe" mode, at least from the description in my Audi handbook?
Some odd behaviours have preceded this event. Some days ago it looked like the battery was charging intermittently. The voltage gauge would read low (8 V) but the car would start as normal. The voltage would then rise to 12 V, and then suddenly spike to approx 15V before dropping abruptly back to 12V. At this point I was guessing that I might (only!) have an alternator problem. Today when I started the car to go out, I got some red alarms (brakes?) and an ABS warning light which both went out quickly. When I came to drive back home there were more dasboard alarms, the voltage guage was reading zero and the rev counters and speedo would not work. In fact, none of the instruments would work except the clock. Engaging D or reverse was accompanied by a noticeable jerk and the gearbox would not change out of what seemd to be 3rd gear? I managed to get home OK, but when I attempted to restart the car it would only turn over without firing and few, if any, of the dashboard warning lights were illuminated. Battery voltage (using an external voltmeter) was 12.5V. With the exception of the instrumentation, the above description of the way the gearbox was operating seems to fit the "failsafe" mode description. Any suggestions? Should I seek an autoelectrical opinion? Given the age/value of the car, an auto gearbox problem could well be terminal!
Thanks,

 

Solved my own problem! Autoelectrician discovered loose wiring in one of the fuseboxes. Thankfully a very modest bill, not a replacement autogearbox!