Some complete noob questions...central locking, brakes, engine

[pauloliver]

Right i have had my a4 since February and its been great, however there are a few things i would like to know that I'm not sure about.

Firstly, the central locking, should it make a honk sound whenever you lock the car? If so thats very annoying! I have heard of problems with the air pump getting water and muck in it, could this be linked? My door pins aren't very quick to react and turning the key is a little resistant.

Is it worth fitting one of those after market central locking kits? I fitted one to my old 3 series and i had no troubles, however I'm just wondering if it is as straightforward with the Audi's system?

Next thing is brake upgrades, there is nothing wrong with my brakes as such, they work wonderfully now but i would still like to see more power as I'm funny like that. What brakes will fit? Can i use pretty much anyhting from the b5 range as long as i have the discs, pads, calipers and carriers to suit? Only really interested in changing the front as the rears don't really equate to much.

Engine stuff, here we go...I currently have a tuning box off eBay, one of those nasty little 50quid things from Germany...it works well but i was wondering how easy it was to squeeze more power from my 90bhp wonder? I know the obvious route is a remap, but thats a little out of reach budget wise now. Are there any simple little mods i can do? And with some money what else can i do? I don't expect it to become a seriously thrilling engine but if i can make it just that little less sedate than it is now, i would like to :) I have heard of smoothing out the air box, is that worth it?

Thanks for taking your time to read my questions :)

[pauloliver]

Anybody?

[dansansome]

i cant help with much, but i believe the central locking/horn thing is controlled via a setting in the cars electrical system. you can use vagcom to change this on newer models, i think you should be able to do this on your too, but im not 100% sure.

hth :)

[cactusgreen]

Alarm locking tone - is a setting that can be removed, but most put it on because;

and your slow pin drop relates.....the system in pneumatic not just electronic, makes for almost silent operation and it's all too easy to walk away from the car and not locking it - thinking you have....as you don't hear the locks jump/clunk down. You can probably also add lamp flash as lock/unlock confirmations...you can on the later B5, not too sure on the first gen ones. Resistance is normal on the key.

Ref the locking kit - this to add remote locking? If so I'd go with the Votex kit - a VAG group company - that did aftermarket accessories etc....it's a direct in-line loom part...so no issues at all...I've added them to my Cab and an 80 TDi....about a 5 min job!

Brakes....not much point in doing much here.....unless you like to listen to the ABS working.... our chums on the other side of the pond like to add A8 parts, bigger disc etc....or go for one of the big brake kits at mucho $$$

Chip/remap.....and dump that ebay thing......it's just a resistor to give wrong signals back to the engine ecu and dump more fuel....

Just my 2 cents.....:D

[pauloliver]

Fantastic, thank you so far for your help you 2. My friend has vagcom so i shall ask him to fiddle about with the settings, i would prefer just a flash or something, the horn is rather annoying!

How much is this kit for the central locking? do i go straight to an audi dealer for it? in the past i have used a kit i got for 40 odd quid on ebay (apparently its signals cant be picked up so people can break in, how true this is i don't know) and it worked rather well on my old 3 series

Regarding the brakes, my only real issue was that they aren't vented so when doing heavy repetitive braking they fade noticeably, so it wasn't so much a size increase i was after, more of a cooling issue

Chip remark has been taken into account, it seems the general consensus is they suck, so i will get a remap when funds become available!

[dansansome]

here's the ross-tech website link for the b5 audi.

you can see the recoding for the central locking/horn under module 35. however, note the warning that pre-97 a4s may not have the control module to allow this function to be recoded.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/audiB5.html

[cactusgreen]

Fantastic, thank you so far for your help you 2. My friend has vagcom so i shall ask him to fiddle about with the settings, i would prefer just a flash or something, the horn is rather annoying!

How much is this kit for the central locking? do i go straight to an audi dealer for it? in the past i have used a kit i got for 40 odd quid on ebay (apparently its signals cant be picked up so people can break in, how true this is i don't know) and it worked rather well on my old 3 series

Regarding the brakes, my only real issue was that they aren't vented so when doing heavy repetitive braking they fade noticeably, so it wasn't so much a size increase i was after, more of a cooling issue

Chip remark has been taken into account, it seems the general consensus is they suck, so i will get a remap when funds become available!

The kits are available from http://www.vagparts.com - there are some discounts to be had for forum and club membership too. If you're happy splicing into lines then go for it....but I know that adding alarms in that way can be problematic....has yours got an immobilser...if it has I'd go with the votex.

You might find you can drop in a vented disc with no other changes...looks like some cars had them some not....had this on my cab....left the factory with solid but should always have had vented as it was an auto...direct swap. email me your VIN and I'll look it up on the old magic software and see what it suggests fit....:beerchug:

[ini]

Power-wise a remap on standard hardware will not give much more gain than a tuning box, unless you are prepared to fit a stronger clutch, larger injectors and a better turbo.

[pauloliver]

here's the ross-tech website link for the b5 audi.

you can see the recoding for the central locking/horn under module 35. however, note the warning that pre-97 a4s may not have the control module to allow this function to be recoded.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/audiB5.html

yeah it appears they did it from 97 onwards, not to worry!


The kits are available from http://www.vagparts.com - there are some discounts to be had for forum and club membership too. If you're happy splicing into lines then go for it....but I know that adding alarms in that way can be problematic....has yours got an immobilser...if it has I'd go with the votex.

You might find you can drop in a vented disc with no other changes...looks like some cars had them some not....had this on my cab....left the factory with solid but should always have had vented as it was an auto...direct swap. email me your VIN and I'll look it up on the old magic software and see what it suggests fit....:beerchug:
I'm fairly confident with cutting up my wiring, i don't see how i can go wrong if i follow the instructions? that certainly looks tempting, i have seen nearly identical kits on Ebay but i'm unsure of the quality of them. As for the brakes, they solid disc i have now isn't very wide, unlike a vented disc which would nearly be double judging by previous ones i've changed. Surely that means the caliper hasn't got the depth to take a vented disc? Where is the vin? i cant find the plate anywhere!


Power-wise a remap on standard hardware will not give much more gain than a tuning box, unless you are prepared to fit a stronger clutch, larger injectors and a better turbo.

I figured that would be the case, i'm not totally fussed, its an old car now and i didn't expect it to be a supercar, its adequate enough as a daily driver, just i feel that sometimes i would like a little more fun! I'm only 21 so my disposable income isn't very large.

[cactusgreen]

VIN should be on a plate, drivers side by the air box/cross memeber area....and normally visable through windscreen, if it's not been changed....there is a 'window' in the window off side lower corner....quite long starting with WAUZZZ probably...

Disc swap kind of depends on the VIN and if it's ATE or Lucas brakes....on my cab it came with dolid and the vented just dropped in.....basically took up all the slack in the piston area....

Remote....there's been some threads on this over in the VAG-com area....take a look....you might like to try the rclick kits???

[dstroi]

yeah it appears they did it from 97 onwards, not to worry!


I'm fairly confident with cutting up my wiring, i don't see how i can go wrong if i follow the instructions? that certainly looks tempting, i have seen nearly identical kits on Ebay but i'm unsure of the quality of them. As for the brakes, they solid disc i have now isn't very wide, unlike a vented disc which would nearly be double judging by previous ones i've changed. Surely that means the caliper hasn't got the depth to take a vented disc? Where is the vin? i cant find the plate anywhere!



I figured that would be the case, i'm not totally fussed, its an old car now and i didn't expect it to be a supercar, its adequate enough as a daily driver, just i feel that sometimes i would like a little more fun! I'm only 21 so my disposable income isn't very large.
Try looking in the spare wheel well for the vin code, i've got a sticker there in mine

[cbi004]

ive a 98 a4 tdi -

leave the alarm on (little cent locking beep)

i turned mine off then regret it as the locking is silent and then you get obsessive compulsive 5 mins later whether you locked it or not

i accidentally did a few times so now recoded it - prefer the beep which reassures me i locked car

then i bought a kit off ebay as my locks went stiff and i was afraid of key snapping or lock breaking

GET WD40 - use the staw and blast a couple of seconds in each front lock side - turn key few times - HEY PRESTO NICE AND SOFT AGAIN!

easy to turn again.


besides - i got the remote kits which i installed my self - dont do it if you arnt intelligent beyong an iq of 110 because its takes time and patience but does work out for the better.

took the old style keys broke them - took the transponders out and put them in the new remotes (very important you keep the little chip fromt he old key)

cut the blanks 2 new ones for about 10 pounds and now i have 2 brand new flip remotes with top remote central locking...