have a service inspection light on for a couple seconds then it goes away. But, no check engine light. any thoughts?

 

Do you mean the one that comes on at startup, and replaces your odometer until you drive a short while? If that's the one, and it clears itself and gives your odometer back, it's just an interval warning that the car thinks it's due for a servicing (due to mileage). You can reset the warning - just search for "service light reset" or something along those lines and you'll find it.

 

yeah, its usually set when you do an oil change to remind you to change it after a certain number of miles. i dont even bother with it anymore cause its just annoying and i can remember to change my oil myself.

 

I kinda figured thats what it was. car is new to me. (if you can say new) got it free but have a few things to fix on it. thanx for all you help guys!! I'm sure I will have many many more questions!!

 

I looked through the servic light part of the forum and didnt see one for the B5. do I just mess with the ***** under the tach and speedo?

 

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec26.shtml or vagcom

 

Thanx AGAIN Chaos!!!! your sofull of knowlage!!

 

I have a '98 Avant, quatro, 2.8v6. My manual said to reset the "service inspection" and "service oil" indicators (they show up where the odometer is during the first several seconds of startup), hold the right button in (the small round stalk sticking out from the instrument cluster near the speedometer) and turn the key to on but don't crank it. Then pull out on the left button (the one near the clock). They claim this will reset those. No matter how I tried it didn't work according to the directions. I finally tried it by holding in the right button and turning the key on, then letting go of that right button and pulling out the left button. For my car it seems you have to let go of the right button before pulling out the left button. Couldn't find that in any of the directions, here or in the manual.

 

Same as Bob..

 

I keep a note of how to reset the service reminder on my phone.