I'm new to the forum- thanks for any input! I have an '04 A8 with a couple of issues I'm trying to get to the bottom of-
1) a few times a week,when I turn the key in theignition, the engine does not start- instead, I can hear the very beginning of the engine attempting to start for just a split-second(the engine never actually turns over- there is only a split second of engine activity- it reminds me of when a battery is all but dead and has just enough juice tomake a "clicking" sound in the engine before going completely dead). All of the power comes on, but the engine does not start. I have to turn the ignition off completely, then it will always fully start with the second try. I would estimate that this happens 5-10% of the time. Local Audi dealer has looked at it, but says that they can't find anything wrong.
2) when locking the car with key fob, alarmusually chirps to confirm engagement- within last week, the chirp was much quieter for a few days- now there is no chirp at all when I lock the car. Car still locks all doors, lights stillflash,and light on door sills are flashing to confirm that alarm is engaged. Any thoughts??

thanks for any input!

 

I had the exact same issue with the starter on my 2004 A8L two months ago. The dealer couldn't locate the problem. They tested and thought a couple of relays were bad. After replacing, they started it fine 24 times in a row. The 25th time it acted up again. Long story short, they had my car for 12 days and the final fix took about an hour. They connected the car to the internet and had it remotely diagnosed by Audi engineers. Some sort of non-published update was needed for the controle module. There were no bulletins or articles about the problem that the dealership could find, so the last resort after nearly two weeks was to connect the car to the internet and have it worked on by someone else. The car has been fine ever since.

If your dealer can't find the problem, have them call Midwestern Auto Group (magcars.com) and ask for Marty or Josh in Audi Service. MAG will recall this problem given the fact they spent dozens of hours trying to diagnose it.


On a side note, I noticed that the delay between upshifting under low acceleration is much better. I'm guessing the update they did had some other changes in it too.

 

Can this "fix/update" be done via the VAG-COM?

- Harry

 

[hr]I just bought a 2004 A8L - Should I have this done soon? - I dont have the issue, but should I tell them about this noted issue and have the software updated?

- I'm in the final paper work phase, car is mine...etc... but I'm still nit picking about ...scratchs...etc


Thanks!

~Chris


Oh yes, what did you guys pay for yours/

mine : cpo warrenty
45k miles - black/tan - options... $33k

 

It can be done via the VAG-COM but you have to have a specific code each audi technician has in order to communicate with germany. Since this repair he is talking about isn't recognized as a TSB its rare, and the german engineers won't tell us what the update actually is, just that its fixed and not to worry about it. The germans actually hate for us to know what the problems arewith thier cars.

 

I spoke with the service manager at my dealer.He said they've had one car since mine that had the starter issue but he's never seen it before those 2. To be honest, I have no idea what the update is or if it's even available to anyone. It sounded more like a systems update instead of a tweak to the configuration. I guess Audi makes them jump through quite a few hoops before they engage the engineers, and it sounds like they like to keep the service departments in the dark if they consider it a rare problem.

I don't think there is any need to have the update done to the car you're buying. If your car does experience the problem (which it likely won't), just get it fixed then. And even if you do have the issue, you just need to turn the key to the left and back to the right to get it started ;-)

I paid about $36K for my 2004 A8L with 37,000 miles. It has the adaptive cruise too and is CPO. I see they are running deals now where the CPO warranty goes through 2012 or 100,000 miles. Guess I bought mine a few months too soon. I got close to payoff on my 2005 TL too. Sometimes I miss the little Japanese lady giving me directions on my TL's navi (not to mention the easy-to-use-while-driving touch screen)....Everything else on the A8 is superb. I find new things on it all the time, like the center dash vents don't close manually as you adjust wheel.A motor takes over after you adjust the wheel, and then it closes/opens the vent to that level! I wish I could find a list of all these minute details.

 

LOL. - I love finding new things too...tonight was the first time I drove it at night actully... noticed the white lights along the side arm rests... beautiful. - I'm very impressed by the level of attention that was put into this car. - Its a far cry greater than my TT. - It honestly is so far proforming better than my BMW 7series did as well...and I loooooooved that car. - This car isn't as crazy. - I feel like I have more control.

Wow... My pain pills are kicking in.


-Out.

 

^^^ You can also adjust the background lighting through the MMI screen in the settings menu to make the LED light brighter inside the carif you want.

 

I have a similar issue. starts at will 2 to 3 times a month 110K miles on it. Hooked up the Vag-com and got the following code

error code:

19510 - Starter Will Not Turn: Jammed or Electrical Malfunction
P3054 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - Intermittent


Ross Tech comments:


19510 - Starter Will Not Turn: Jammed or Electrical Malfunction

Possible Symptoms
MIL On
Engine will not crank over

Possible Causes
Failed stater
Wiring harness issue

Possible Solutions

Special Notes
When found in an Audi A8, a faulty Brake Light Switch can cause this.


Possible park selection switch (F305)?

A new starter?

or a software upgrade I have never had one of those done on this car.

Not sure which way to go on this. Any tests I can perform?

is the starter a bosch make?

 

I had this same problem before too. The security system can be a problem. Immobilisers closes the body if it considers that a problem with the ignition if it had been hot-wired. I just had to turn it on auto repair shops for quick fix.