SAFE mode - tried everything i can find on the web...
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 13
SAFE mode - tried everything i can find on the web...
Hi all, and apologies for yet another SAFE thread, but I have tried everything I can find on the Web and here, still no good.
It’s a 2005 A4 cabriolet (B6 model) 1.8T (also posted this on the owners club but no replies...)I'm stuck with the SAFE mode after disconnecting the battery to charge it after a full discharge (left untouched for 3 weeks).
So far I have tried the following in all different sequences after charging and reconnecting the battery (key fob battery is new now):
- short the cables together for 30+mins.
- press unlock button whilst lock is turned to On (but not turning engine over)
- press & hold unlock button before opening door, then turning ignition on, then off, then ignition back on.
- prayer (no answer from the spaghetti monster)
Still the bugger will turn but not fire and the SAFE is displayed on the dash info. Hazards are flashing but no alarm sounds.
I checked for codes with my OBD reader - nothing at all. I presume that one of the above actions would have re-synched my fob (if it needed it).
Does anyone have any other tricks I can try before I torch, i mean SORN it ?
Yesterday I re-shorted the cables for 30 seconds, left it for 30 mins then held unlock on the key, inserted and turn on ignition (but not cranked) then to off, then removed key and let go of unlock. No good.
Overnight I recharged the battery (went flat again) and then tried connecting the leads and leaving it until the hazards stopped flashing (about 15 mins I think). Then I tried holding unlock on fob and turning it off-on 10 times (without turning engine over). Still no good.
Any ideas ? Thanks so much for any help you can offer.
It’s a 2005 A4 cabriolet (B6 model) 1.8T (also posted this on the owners club but no replies...)I'm stuck with the SAFE mode after disconnecting the battery to charge it after a full discharge (left untouched for 3 weeks).
So far I have tried the following in all different sequences after charging and reconnecting the battery (key fob battery is new now):
- short the cables together for 30+mins.
- press unlock button whilst lock is turned to On (but not turning engine over)
- press & hold unlock button before opening door, then turning ignition on, then off, then ignition back on.
- prayer (no answer from the spaghetti monster)
Still the bugger will turn but not fire and the SAFE is displayed on the dash info. Hazards are flashing but no alarm sounds.
I checked for codes with my OBD reader - nothing at all. I presume that one of the above actions would have re-synched my fob (if it needed it).
Does anyone have any other tricks I can try before I torch, i mean SORN it ?
Yesterday I re-shorted the cables for 30 seconds, left it for 30 mins then held unlock on the key, inserted and turn on ignition (but not cranked) then to off, then removed key and let go of unlock. No good.
Overnight I recharged the battery (went flat again) and then tried connecting the leads and leaving it until the hazards stopped flashing (about 15 mins I think). Then I tried holding unlock on fob and turning it off-on 10 times (without turning engine over). Still no good.
Any ideas ? Thanks so much for any help you can offer.
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 101
From: Vancouver
I've heard of something like this before..., I think its your immobilizer. There's a sequence you have to do to clear it. I seem to remember it can occur when you disconnect the battery and don't use the ignition key in that correct sequence. Something along the lines of, handbrake must be on, shift in N and turn the key on (but not in starter position) and hit the brake pedal a few times. Sorry can't remember the sequence....
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 101
From: Vancouver
I found this for you on line:-
"Fixed it...
1. Disconnect battery & connect leads with a jumper wire. Wait 5-10 minutes.
2. Reconnect battery, place key in ignition & initiate reprogramming sequence.
3. Sequence = turn key to "ON" position only, wait 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
* I also pressed the unlock buttons, both on the fob while in the ignition & the door button.
Held each for 5-10 seconds while key was "ON", both individually & together during each "on-off" sequence."
It's part of this thread:-
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...on-t-even-work
Good Luck!
"Fixed it...
1. Disconnect battery & connect leads with a jumper wire. Wait 5-10 minutes.
2. Reconnect battery, place key in ignition & initiate reprogramming sequence.
3. Sequence = turn key to "ON" position only, wait 10 seconds. Repeat 5 times.
* I also pressed the unlock buttons, both on the fob while in the ignition & the door button.
Held each for 5-10 seconds while key was "ON", both individually & together during each "on-off" sequence."
It's part of this thread:-
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...on-t-even-work
Good Luck!
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 13
Hi, and thanks for the replies.
That's the thread I have been working from - but it didn't work for me.
Definitely the problem is keys not being recognised anymore, but nothing has changed apart from the battery recharge (I had to charge it again this weekend because the million tests I've done had dropped the charge).
I'll retry that test above again but I'm losing faith in the thing now.
thanks,
Tony
That's the thread I have been working from - but it didn't work for me.
Definitely the problem is keys not being recognised anymore, but nothing has changed apart from the battery recharge (I had to charge it again this weekend because the million tests I've done had dropped the charge).
I'll retry that test above again but I'm losing faith in the thing now.
thanks,
Tony
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 101
From: Vancouver
Hi Tony,
Ah I see..., forgive these 'daft' questions - I'm trying to help
Good luck - don't give up, these are good cars... :-) IMHO
Ah I see..., forgive these 'daft' questions - I'm trying to help
Have you tried both keys?! I know someone who fell for that one... he left his car outside my house for a week trying to start it and then realized he was using a key he had problems with before.
If, the car has lost its programming, maybe try and hold the second key near the key you have in the ignition, then at least it will 'see' both rf chips in the keys and have a chance of accepting one. I know the keys have to be together when you reset the keys...
Have you tried setting the alarm on the car? At least that will prove the programming has not been lost?
Try unlocking with one key, leaving in the door, then using the other key to start the car or doing the sequence we both found above.
Picking up on what 'turbo' suggested about it being your battery I think, have you tried a new battery or once from another car? Maybe try jump leads to another car - just to eliminate your battery.
If you are still getting nowhere, then research on immobilizer issues.... I will have a look as well.Have you tried setting the alarm on the car? At least that will prove the programming has not been lost?
Try unlocking with one key, leaving in the door, then using the other key to start the car or doing the sequence we both found above.
Picking up on what 'turbo' suggested about it being your battery I think, have you tried a new battery or once from another car? Maybe try jump leads to another car - just to eliminate your battery.
Good luck - don't give up, these are good cars... :-) IMHO
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 101
From: Vancouver
this guy had 'immobilizer' light and it turned out to be his battery...I know yours is 'SAFE' and you have no codes at all but it does sound very similar
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/b6-...roblem-182160/
https://www.audiforums.com/forum/b6-...roblem-182160/
1st Gear
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 101
From: Vancouver
- just read that you used an ODB reader, you really need to use a VCDS to get all data info/code information. I got a cable for $20 or so on ebay years ago, the VCDS software (lite) is free to download. I know time is of the essence here, but maybe you have a friend with one? Or can ask if there is a member near you that could help? - could be tricky in current pandemic though...