A6 (2007) - Annoying Electrical Issues - all connected?

[rjsdavis]

As some people will know, I've had some electrical issues with the car. The compressor and MAF continue to report in VCDS issues (Voltage regulator and "implausible signal") - despite having changed both. I went through about 6 weeks of the MMI system ******* around badly, although, this seems to have largely settled itself down now.

However, despite having changed the MAF and compressor, i've now got the same warnings, and some new ones - and I'm thinking have I got some sort of voltage/electrical problem that is setting them all off? In addition to the MAF going off again, I've now got the EGR valve complaining. The Oil Level/Temp sensor has now gone as well as the glowplug control module. There are also other random (and new) VCDS reports relating to the Optical databus and Control Head - two of which talk about "Component Protection Activated" - i.e. this reads to me like some sort of electrical protection system that is kicking in to stop electrical components being overloaded?

Finally, the final clue is in relation to the Battery Regulator - this is kicking up warnings about "Quiescent Current" (various stages) errors/warnings. My gut is telling me to pull out and change the voltage regulator - am I on the right track here? Is there another element to the voltage control system that I should be looking at/diagnosing? I ask, as I've got a new compressor and Oil Temp/Level sensor, that I'm slightly reluctant to fit in case whatever is behind these issues - kicks them out again!

I've copied and pasted the main elements of the VCDS report and would be incredibly grateful if anyone can point me in the right direction here? (I've chopped out the modules that weren't reporting any faults to keep the overall report data as short as possible!)

VCDS Data:

Thursday,07,September,2017,01:39:22:30461
VCDS -- Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator Running on Windows 10 x64
VCDS Version: 17.1.3.0 (x64)
Data version: 20170320 DS267.7
Ross-Tech: Home

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chassis Type: 4F (4F0)
Scan: 01 03 05 07 08 09 0E 15 16 17 19 37 42 46 47 4F 52 53 56 61
62 72


VIN: WAUZZZ4F58N003147


00-Steering Angle Sensor -- Status: OK 0000
01-Engine -- Status: Malfunction 0010
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: OK 0000
05-Acc/Start Auth. -- Status: OK 0000
07-Control Head -- Status: Malfunction 0010
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: Malfunction 0010
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: OK 0000
0E-Media Player 1 -- Status: OK 0000
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: Malfunction 0010
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: Malfunction 0010
25-Immobilizer -- Status: OK 0000
37-Navigation -- Status: Malfunction 0010
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
46-Central Conv. -- Status: OK 0000
47-Sound System -- Status: Malfunction 0010
4F-Centr. Electr. II -- Status: OK 0000
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: OK 0000
53-Parking Brake -- Status: OK 0000
56-Radio -- Status: OK 0000
61-Battery Regul. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
62-Door, Rear Left -- Status: OK 0000
72-Door, Rear Right -- Status: OK 0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: 03G-906-016-BLB.clb
Part No SW: 03G 906 016 MH HW: 03G 906 016 MH
Component: R4 2,0L EDC G000SG 0948
Revision: --H05--- Serial number:
Coding: 0000072
Shop #: WSC 02325 758 00200
VCID: 75E15DB81CB7CBE9CA-8020


4 Faults Found:
005716 - Please check DTC Memory of Instrument Cluster
P1654 - 000 -
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01110000
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 34
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.27
Time: 14:30:48


Freeze Frame:
RPM: 882 /min
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Load: 0.0 %
Voltage: 13.76 V
Temperature: 36.9°C
Temperature: 88.2°C
Temperature: 22.5°C


001668 - Glow Plug Control Module (J179)
P0684 - 000 - Implausible Signal
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01110000
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 34
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.27
Time: 14:30:48


000257 - Mass Air Flow Sensor (G70)
P0101 - 000 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00110000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 5
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.09.01
Time: 10:35:52


Freeze Frame:
RPM: 1932 /min
Speed: 78.0 km/h
Temperature: 27.0°C
Absolute Pres.: 1193.4 mbar
Mass Flow: 31.29 g/s
(no units): 1.22
Temperature: 86.4°C


001025 - EGR System
P0401 - 000 - Insufficient Flow - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00110000
Fault Priority: 2
Fault Frequency: 5
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.09.01
Time: 10:35:52


Readiness: 1 2 0 0 0




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 07: Control Head Labels: 4F0-910-7xx-07-H.clb
Part No SW: 4F0 910 732 A HW: 4E0 035 729
Component: Interfacebox H43 4220
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 350EP077794420
Coding: 0001002
Shop #: WSC 02334 758 00200
VCID: 214959E8F8BF1749C6-8074


Subsystem 1 - Part No: 4F0 910 609 E
Component: Bedienteil MMIC6H01 0060


Subsystem 2 - Serial number: 00000000764240


Subsystem 3 - Serial number: 0121.05.070000000100010761ÿ


Subsystem 4 - Serial number: 010761ÿ


1 Fault Found:
02095 - Component Protection Active
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 78
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.09.01
Time: 12:19:32




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 4F0-910-043.clb
Part No SW: 4F0 910 043 A HW: 4F2 820 043 P
Component: KLIMABETAETIGUNGH30 0020
Revision: 00000052 Serial number: 00000000396020
Coding: 0001300
Shop #: WSC 02325 758 00200
VCID: 1C37681CDFDD3AA115-8048


1 Fault Found:
01232 - A/C Compressor Regulator Valve (N280)
010 - Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101010
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 30
Reset counter: 80
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.27
Time: 14:31:26


Freeze Frame:
Load: 90.0 %
Current: 0.015 A


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments Labels: 4F0-910-xxx-17.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 930 C HW: 4F0 920 982 T
Component: KOMBIINSTR. M73 H21 0220
Revision: 00500000 Serial number: 6IL57EJ57
Coding: 3332458
Shop #: WSC 12345 123 12345
VCID: 234553E0E2A30559D4-8076


1 Fault Found:
00562 - Sensor for Oil Level/Temperature (G266)
010 - Open or Short to Plus
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101010
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 35
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.27
Time: 14:31:08




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway Labels: 4F0-910-468.clb
Part No SW: 4F0 910 468 A HW: 4F0 907 468 D
Component: Gateway H11 0070
Revision: 11 Serial number: 13008075198085
Coding: 6CEE53C41B2104
Shop #: WSC 02334 758 00200
VCID: 275D47F0969BE97988-8072


1 Fault Found:
00384 - Optical Databus
011 - Open Circuit - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101011
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 76
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.31
Time: 17:12:00




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 37: Navigation Labels: 4E0-910-88x-37.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 888 P HW: 4E0 919 887 M
Component: MNS ECE H49 1060
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 364EX077683552
Shop #: WSC 00581 210 58432
VCID: 3B758B807A135D99FC-806E


1 Fault Found:
01299 - Diagnostic Interface for Data Bus (J533)
004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100100
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 78
Mileage: 0
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.09.01
Time: 12:19:32


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 47: Sound System (J525) Labels: Redir Fail!
Part No SW: 4F0 910 223 K HW: 4F0 035 223 L
Component: Amp.-ASK-RD H07 0250
Revision: 09S00000
Coding: 030001
Shop #: WSC 02399 823 56573
VCID: 26434AF45191F071B3-8072


1 Fault Found:
02095 - Component Protection Active
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 80
Time Indication: 0


Freeze Frame:
Voltage: 11.60 V
Temperature: 24.0°C
Bin. Bits: 00000010




-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 61: Battery Regul. Labels: 4F0-910-181.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 181 E HW: 4F0 915 181 A
Component: J0644 BEM H12 0590
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 00000000079138
Shop #: WSC 00581 210 58432
VCID: 234553E0E2A30559D4-8076


Subsystem 1 - Part No: 4F0 915 105 D
Component: von VA0 2705210153
Coding: 344630393135313035442056413032373035323130313533
Shop #: WSC 00000 512 00290


5 Faults Found:
02277 - Quiescent Current Stage 6
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 3
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 300847 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.29
Time: 06:17:37


02272 - Quiescent Current Stage 1
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 5
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 300847 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.29
Time: 06:14:28


02274 - Quiescent Current Stage 3
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 5
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 300847 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.29
Time: 06:14:28


02276 - Quiescent Current Stage 5
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 0
Reset counter: 0
Mileage: 0 km
Time Indication: 0


Freeze Frame:
Raw, Form. N/A: 000 000 000
Raw, Form. N/A: 000 000 000
Raw, Form. N/A: 000 000 000
Raw, Form. N/A: 000 000 000
Raw, Form. N/A: 000 000 000
Raw, Form. N/A: 000 000 000
Raw, Form. N/A: 000 000 000
Raw, Form. N/A: 000 000 000


02256 - Quiescent Current
001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 0
Reset counter: 0
Mileage: 0 km
Time Indication: 0


End-------------------------(Elapsed Time: 02:10)--------------------------

[rjsdavis]

BTW - the battery is a brand new Yuasa 900amp unit that I fitted less than two months... I have tried to find what the Quiescent warnings relate to, and these seem linked to "battery drain" - I do get low battery warnings upon starting the car if it hasn't been driven for 2-3 days. Is this an indicator that systems are running and draining the battery when the car is off and locked?

[inspectorman63]

Apart from the obvious - eg boot light / glove box light stuck on - it seems clear you have something draining your battery. Some earlier issues of the MMI software were faulty and failed to properly switch the radio off; confirm your version. Latest version comes on disc from the dealer and costs about £6. And invest in a battery charger - your new battery won't last long if it's consistently near flat. Alternator output is worth a quick check - 14V and above without too many heavy drains switched on would be good.

[rjsdavis]

Apart from the obvious - eg boot light / glove box light stuck on - it seems clear you have something draining your battery. Some earlier issues of the MMI software were faulty and failed to properly switch the radio off; confirm your version. Latest version comes on disc from the dealer and costs about £6. And invest in a battery charger - your new battery won't last long if it's consistently near flat. Alternator output is worth a quick check - 14V and above without too many heavy drains switched on would be good.

Thanks for replying Inspectorman

To come back on the things that you raise:

1. How can I check if anything is staying stuck on? I've looked as carefully as I can, and as far as I can see, no internal lights are remaining on after all of the doors are locked. I can see the boot light and glovebox lights all go off when you close the relevant door/opener.
2. MMI Information: SW: C6-HU 42.2.0 0709

HW: C6-HU 6350D2.0
FC SW: 05071AFC6AB320060
FC PS: 0060 FC HW: H01

1. I already have a battery charger, and it was because I was finding that the old (original VAG ten year old) battery was not holding charge for too long, that I looked into getting it checked out. A pro battery test indicated that the old battery was at rock bottom - one red bar of the battery tester, so it was changed. A new Yuasa unit was installed two months ago. The only indication that there is a power problem at all, is that if I've not used the car for two or three days, a "low battery" warning will pop-up on the dash. Thus far, she's always started, but it alerted me to a potential drain issue. I've not had to use the charger just yet.
2. What exactly am I looking for on the battery test? Output volts when 1) Engine off? 2) Engine idling? 3) Engine running and revving? 4) Anything else? Also - should that be on the battery terminals themselves in the boot, or the posts in the engine bay?

Many thanks for any help!

PS - whilst googling, I found this thread:

Quiescent current stage 1 & 2 intermittent - Page 3

I've just re-read and answered my own posted question of which fuses to pull to do a radio/amp reset, and will give this a go. I do some little gremlin problems from the radio from time to time (where it just auto-mutes randomly etc), so hopefully, but unlikely, this might help!

[inspectorman63]

A small child locked in the boot works for this issue. Get the parents permission first....

Your software is 42.2.0. 55.7.0 solves some of the battery drain issues (associated with the radio not turning off properly) and is well worth doing for £6 or so. 4L0-998-961 5570 is the part number. Takes 10 - 20 minutes to load up; if your battery is sad, have the charger connected to the charging terminal posts for this task or start with a fully charged battery. Don't rely on the "battery condition indicator" on the MMI screen - it's close to useless.

You are looking for volts produced by the alternator when the engine is running, in order to eliminate an alternator fault giving you these flat battery symptoms symptoms. Absolute detail not important; if you can see anything over 13.5 V at the charging terminals under the bonnet when the engine is running it means the alternator is putting charge into the battery. Heavy loads like the heated rear screen being on or very low revs will give you slightly less.

[rjsdavis]

A small child locked in the boot works for this issue. Get the parents permission first....

Haha - although mine is an Avant, so only need to leave the load cover fully open and look through the window. Like where you're going with that though!

Your software is 42.2.0. 55.7.0 solves some of the battery drain issues (associated with the radio not turning off properly) and is well worth doing for £6 or so. 4L0-998-961 5570 is the part number. Takes 10 - 20 minutes to load up; if your battery is sad, have the charger connected to the charging terminal posts for this task or start with a fully charged battery. Don't rely on the "battery condition indicator" on the MMI screen - it's close to useless.

I'm going to get a copy of the updated MMI software from Audi tomorrow. Fingers crossed for this helping! I can't even see the "battery condition indicator" anywhere on the CAR MMI screens - where is it? Also, should I have coded the new battery in with VCDS? Some seem to think I should have done - others don't...

You are looking for volts produced by the alternator when the engine is running, in order to eliminate an alternator fault giving you these flat battery symptoms symptoms. Absolute detail not important; if you can see anything over 13.5 V at the charging terminals under the bonnet when the engine is running it means the alternator is putting charge into the battery. Heavy loads like the heated rear screen being on or very low revs will give you slightly less.

Ok - will try this after the MMI update. Thank you.

[rjsdavis]

Your software is 42.2.0. 55.7.0 solves some of the battery drain issues (associated with the radio not turning off properly) and is well worth doing for £6 or so. 4L0-998-961 5570 is the part number. Takes 10 - 20 minutes to load up; if your battery is sad, have the charger connected to the charging terminal posts for this task or start with a fully charged battery. Don't rely on the "battery condition indicator" on the MMI screen - it's close to useless.

Hi there Inspectorman

I picked up the CD software update, but it was just 3 CD's in a box. How does one install it???? (There were no instructions with it!)

I can see from the outer label that it should only be used in the 6CD multi-changer, so I removed all of the music CD's that were in there. I installed Disc 1 into Slot 1 of the multi-changer and waited.. nothing happened, other than the display to simply say "CD-Rom" installed. Then I tried removing this, and then installed all 3 CD's into the first three slots (in sequential order of CD's) - again, nothing.

How do you actually start the installation process? I presume that it's automated once it gets off and running?

[inspectorman63]

Search for audi tsb 2014127/1. The first reply is the pdf I followed, which worked. Ignore Page 2 and start on Page 3.

[rjsdavis]

Search for audi tsb 2014127/1. The first reply is the pdf I followed, which worked. Ignore Page 2 and start on Page 3.

Thank you very much indeed - that's a very helpful link. Will give that a crack tomorrow!

[rjsdavis]

I completely forgot to add to this:

On Friday, my mechanic fitted a brand new, genuine (Hella made) VAG Oil Temp/Sensor. You can imagine my frustration when we started up the car, and the Oil Temp/Level sensor went pinging off on the dashboard again IMMEDIATELY! We cleared all of the codes with VCDS several times - but to no avail. It's still going off permanently. We also did a full car shutdown, all doors/bonnet shut. All locked up. Waited. Restarted. No change.

We did some research, and it was suggested that there is a 5A fuse in the ECU bay that can pop and cause this problem. This was checked. Fuse was fine.

Where next? I'm beginning to suspect that the old sensor was actually probably ok, and it's another problem that's causing both of these problems to occur. This then occurs to me check the first code scan that was done after these problems (or at least the Oil sensor) issue came to light.

The compressor and the oil level sensor both sparked off with recorded codes on the exact same day, and almost at the exact same time. I've copied and pasted in the relevant sections of the VCDS report - but this CAN'T be a coincidence surely????

ALSO - a new compressor was fitted at the same time on Friday. Initially, after the codes were cleared, the N280 fault code also disappeared, however a further code read this afternoon shows me that it's back and actually reappeared an hour or two after the new one was fitted. I haven't even got around to re-gassing the system yet, and I'll have to delay doing so until I work out what's going wrong here.

The Oil sensor and compressor are right next to each other, and their plugs are virtually side by side - something tells me that this is more than a slight coincidence.

What to check next? GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Any help very much appreciated.

Original Code read from when these two issues first cropped up:

Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 4F0-910-043.clb
Part No SW: 4F0 910 043 A HW: 4F2 820 043 P
Component: KLIMABETAETIGUNGH30 0020
Revision: 00000052 Serial number: 00000000396020
Coding: 0001300
Shop #: WSC 02325 758 00200
VCID: 1C37681CDFDD3AA115-8048


2 Faults Found:
01858 - Air Outlet Sensor; Right Center (G348) - (THIS HAS BEEN FIXED, AND A NEW PAIR OF CENTRE VENTS (with sensor) FITTED).
010 - Open or Short to Plus
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101010
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 10
Mileage: 198626 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.12
Time: 19:27:00


01232 - A/C Compressor Regulator Valve (N280)
010 - Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101010
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 16
Reset counter: 55
Mileage: 198626 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.12
Time: 20:44:43


Freeze Frame:
Load: 48.5 %
Current: 0.015 A


Address 17: Instruments Labels: 4F0-910-xxx-17.lbl
Part No SW: 4F0 910 930 C HW: 4F0 920 982 T
Component: KOMBIINSTR. M73 H21 0220
Revision: 00500000 Serial number: 6IL57EJ57
Coding: 3332458
Shop #: WSC 12345 123 12345
VCID: 234553E0E2A30559D4-8076


1 Fault Found:
00562 - Sensor for Oil Level/Temperature (G266)
010 - Open or Short to Plus
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01101010
Fault Priority: 6
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 10
Mileage: 198626 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2017.08.12
Time: 19:26:56