newbie on the c6 forum-dreaded epb problem

[jp33]

Hi all,first time on this forum having only used the B6 before but the help on there was invaluable,so hoping for some help with a couple of niggles on my new (to me) c6.
So being in love with the marque and wanting a good sized estate car we went for a 2005 3.0 tdi se, 120 k on the clock with full audi history.We absolutely love the car but a couple of things have come to light in the last two weeks.I am a realist when it comes to second-hand cars and expect things to go wrong,it's just the nature I guess.
Firstly the rear parking sensors don't appear to work,they did a couple of times but now nothing except a loud beep when reverse is selected then quietness!! This is quite important to me as I watched the good lady back into something when she got home today,she doesn't know I watched her but keeping that one quite until needed!.
The second and most probably serious issue is the dreaded pen.This did not give us a problem for first two weeks of ownership. But has reared its ugly head in past week,on two occasions my lady has got caught out and been unable to move the car because the epb has got stuck on.We now do not use it for fear of being caught out again.Basically the park break warning goes off every time with super loud beeping,then the red P flashes constantly whilst driving. I did use epb by accident last weekend and sure enough same thing happened,forgot to mention the pen flashes as well,it did eventually release but could only hear a motor working on nearside,is there two?.I have read some valuable insights already on here tonight and plan to investigate further. Some threads mention a faulty battery,sometimes upon starting the car dips on first turn of engine then fires up,low battery maybe?,but doesn't do it all the time tho, will a new battery cure me?,could it be that simple?, another random warning light has appeared three times in last week upon start up,that one's telling me that the up/down headlights are I'll,but again this only happens randomly.But when starting car in dark you can see them move.
On the day of collecting car I noticed that the radio wad cutting in and out,the dealer said this was faulty Bluetooth unit and replaced it with the unit out of another a6 they had for sale,they had passenger seat removed,to do this,I was watching them fix it and they assured me that it would be fine,although it came out of a later a6,2008 I believe,it was when doing this I noticed they had also broken the washer line to rear wiper,this was joined successfully but did water get somewhere it shouldn't have? Well I can't get Bluetooth to work anyhow so who knows.
Anyhow any help with these issues would be more than welcome,I love the car but the good lady is already giving me that look when dash alarms go off,but I'm of the mind it's all fixable and have no problem doing the work myself and even enjoy it. Thanks all.

Ps.The snap on man is trying to sell me a diagnostic set up, only a second-hand one but still 350 quid, would there be any advantage to own one with this car being everything is electric,also what's Vagcom all about?, I'm sorry,so many questions,I'm gonna shut up now!! Thanks all.jp

[MarkTM]

Hi all,first time on this forum having only used the B6 before but the help on there was invaluable,so hoping for some help with a couple of niggles on my new (to me) c6.

So being in love with the marque and wanting a good sized estate car we went for a 2005 3.0 tdi se, 120 k on the clock with full audi history.We absolutely love the car but a couple of things have come to light in the last two weeks. I am a realist when it comes to second-hand cars and expect things to go wrong,it's just the nature I guess.

Firstly the rear parking sensors don't appear to work,they did a couple of times but now nothing except a loud beep when reverse is selected then quietness!! This is quite important to me as I watched the good lady back into something when she got home today,she doesn't know I watched her but keeping that one quite until needed!

The second and most probably serious issue is the dreaded EPB. This did not give us a problem for first two weeks of ownership. But has reared its ugly head in past week,on two occasions my lady has got caught out and been unable to move the car because the epb has got stuck on.

We now do not use it for fear of being caught out again. Basically the park break warning goes off every time with super loud beeping,then the red P flashes constantly whilst driving. I did use epb by accident last weekend and sure enough same thing happened,forgot to mention the pen flashes as well,it did eventually release but could only hear a motor working on nearside,is there two?.I have read some valuable insights already on here tonight and plan to investigate further. S

ome threads mention a faulty battery,sometimes upon starting the car dips on first turn of engine then fires up,low battery maybe?,but doesn't do it all the time tho, will a new battery cure me?,could it be that simple?, another random warning light has appeared three times in last week upon start up,that one's telling me that the up/down headlights are I'll,but again this only happens randomly.But when starting car in dark you can see them move.

On the day of collecting car I noticed that the radio was cutting in and out, the dealer said this was faulty Bluetooth unit and replaced it with the unit out of another A6 they had for sale, they had passenger seat removed, to do this.

I was watching them fix it and they assured me that it would be fine, although it came out of a later a6, 2008 I believe, it was when doing this I noticed they had also broken the washer line to rear wiper,this was joined successfully but did water get somewhere it shouldn't have?

Well I can't get Bluetooth to work anyhow so who knows?

Anyhow any help with these issues would be more than welcome,I love the car but the good lady is already giving me that look when dash alarms go off,but I'm of the mind it's all fixable and have no problem doing the work myself and even enjoy it. Thanks all.

Ps.The snap-on man is trying to sell me a diagnostic set up, only a second-hand one but still 350 quid, would there be any advantage to own one with this car being everything is electric,also what's Vagcom all about?, I'm sorry,so many questions,I'm gonna shut up now!!

Thanks all.jp

JP

Welcome to this part of the forum!

Firstly, it maybe that there's someone close by to you that uses VCDS/VagCom that would offer a you a free scan, however a location of 'UK' does not help much! Secondly ONLY buy VCDS and it's available here:

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU.html

There is someone on the forum that's also a reseller that is £2 cheaper, however at the time of ordering they didn't take credit/debit card (Paypal only)

Have you confirmed with the seller if any work was done on the cars brakes recently? I ask as the rear brakes do need VCDS to wind back the calipers, and the likes many 'Fast fit' places is they simply don't have it. Potentially if not done incorrectly a dealer or Indy should be able to rectify (the latter at a far lower cost). Once again I could recommend those local to me but that may not be to you

Finally apologies for quoting and changing your post, done to make it easier for others...it was a complete nightmare to read all squashed into one paragraph....it took me 5 attempts!!

[boidy]

hi jp, you don't give your location, where are you ? someone maybe able to read your error codes who lives nearby.

if you try to drive off without your seatbelt on, it won't disengage,but you can override it by pressing the footbrake and the parking button in at the same time.

[jp33]

Firstly thanks Mark for your reply last night,sorry about the shocking format of my post,have been reading up on vcds today and that definitely seems the way forward,might go halves with a mate who also has c6 Quattro,watch this space.

Hi boidy, thanks for your reply, I'm based near Wimborne in Doset,not far from Bournemouth. Any help much appreciated.cheers

[MarkTM]

JP

A shame you didn't reply sooner as was just back from Ferndown, so could have popped by and done a scan for you (VCDS and laptop were in the car)

You've still not confirmed if your car has had any recent brake work....or don't you know?

[jp33]

I don't know for sure of any brake work recently,the dealer Dident do any,but the car was motd recently if that helps,3 wks ago but passed fine,gutted about not replying sooner tho, I would greatly appreciate hooking up again if your up for it.cheers.jp

[MarkTM]

JP sorry but am just down that way twice a year...if you can afford VCDS get it...had mine for 15 months and its more than paid for itself.

[jp33]

Thanks Mark,I think its a worthwhile investment.jp