A6 2.5 TDI SE ENgine Management light

[Red_Ade]

Hi,
I have viewed an Audi A6 2.5 TDI SE (2001) and am considering buying it. However, I am concerned that when the ignition is first turned on (but engine not fired up), all of the lights on the dash display (eg Air Bag, ABS, handbrake etc) are on/light up but the Engine Management light does not. Is this normal? I would have thought it is supposed to come on to show the light is working and then go off after the engine is started (like the other lights). However with it not coming on at all I am concerned that the garage have tampered with it to hide a Engine Management fault.

Is this normal - does anyone have a similar model / year where they can tell me whether the light should come on or not.

Any help on this appreciated.
Thank You

[adamss24]

Hi, the engine management light does not comes on when you start a diesel audi. When it comes, then there is something serious going on...usualy minor faults doesnt trip the engine management lights. There is a self check monitoring the most important parameters of the car(selected models only): oil, coolant, brakes...If one of these is on, Do Not Ignore !! Its wise to read the manual that came with the car as its full off info regarding your particular model. Hope this helps.

[AntonyK]

I'm so pleased it's not just mine. I recently bought my A6, and have had torque converter problems. Due to be replaced today by a specialist Auto Trans company.
My engine management light does not come on at startup either. I stripped the dash down last night just to check if any wires had been cut or bulbs removed or tampered with. Nothing found. One thing I did notice though was that there doesn't appear to be any old fashioned bulbs to replace. It's all LED's on the circuit board so very difficult to tamper with thankfully.

I am surprised though that the error codes shown in VAG such as a high temperature limit reached in torque converter and a Torque Converter Clutch : Stuck OFF P0741 were not triggering the light to come on.

Any comments or suggestions please?

[Red_Ade]

I had my car fully checked by an independant Audi specialist soon after purchasing it and he said it was normal for the light not to come on as a test when turning the ignition on. It is strange though - why have a warning lamp that you never know is working?!!

Funnily enough I had torque convertor problems also! 2 weeks after buying mine I had to have the gearbox reconditioned and torque convertor replaced. The only visual indication I got from the dashboard was the Red Leds that illustrate the Gearbox selection going into full Blocks (when the car put itself into "safe" mode). Luckily I got the garage I bought it from to cover the cost after threatening them with legal action for goods that were not fit for purpose. Since then (April 2007) I have had a full year of trouble free motoring with the A6.

[A62.5TDIV6]

I had my car fully checked by an independant Audi specialist soon after purchasing it and he said it was normal for the light not to come on as a test when turning the ignition on. It is strange though - why have a warning lamp that you never know is working?!!

Funnily enough I had torque convertor problems also! 2 weeks after buying mine I had to have the gearbox reconditioned and torque convertor replaced. The only visual indication I got from the dashboard was the Red Leds that illustrate the Gearbox selection going into full Blocks (when the car put itself into "safe" mode). Luckily I got the garage I bought it from to cover the cost after threatening them with legal action for goods that were not fit for purpose. Since then (April 2007) I have had a full year of trouble free motoring with the A6.

Hi, occasionally I get the "full blocks" on the gear selection display, but if I switch off then on again it usually sorts itself out. I guess maybe I should get it looked at? Do you know how much it cost to get yours sorted out?

[paul b]

Hi, occasionally I get the "full blocks" on the gear selection display, but if I switch off then on again it usually sorts itself out. I guess maybe I should get it looked at? Do you know how much it cost to get yours sorted out?
Sounds like it's on its way out. Big repair bills could be forthcoming. Is it a Multritronic? If it is then they are prone to failiure. First of all I would try changing the automatic transmission oil to try and prolong the life of the box.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Paul

EDIT: Type Multitronic problems into the search box and you'll see what I mean.

[AntonyK]

Thank you for your replies. Further to my post on 16th April, I had the torque converter checked and it was not the cause of the faults. The gearbox has had to be stripped to find the cause. A needle bearing in the main gear set had failed sending bits into the valves causing sticking etc. The rebuild is costing £1600 plus VAT including gearbox and torque converter. I am also paying £120 for the blades reinforcing with brazing in the torque converter and over £100 on an extra gearbox oil cooler due to me planning on towing a quite heavy caravan and about £80 plus VAT on a new MAF sensor as it seems to be good practice when rebuilding trans.

Audi A6 2.5 TDI Quattro SE 180. 2002. 114k miles. (bought at 106k miles.)

[RobDob]

Ouch!

[A62.5TDIV6]

Sounds like it's on its way out. Big repair bills could be forthcoming. Is it a Multritronic? If it is then they are prone to failiure. First of all I would try changing the automatic transmission oil to try and prolong the life of the box.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Paul

EDIT: Type Multitronic problems into the search box and you'll see what I mean.

Paul,

Its a Tiptronic (1998 S reg.). Not completely sure what the difference between a Tiptronic and a Multitronic are, either way sounds like it could be painful. Anyone want to buy a nice A6 Avant??!!

[paul b]

Paul,

Its a Tiptronic (1998 S reg.). Not completely sure what the difference between a Tiptronic and a Multitronic are, either way sounds like it could be painful. Anyone want to buy a nice A6 Avant??!!
Right well you might not have so many problems. Just keep an eye on it though. I assume yours is a Quatrro? I was under the impression that Multitronics were only available on 2WD cars.

Paul

[A62.5TDIV6]

Right well you might not have so many problems. Just keep an eye on it though. I assume yours is a Quatrro? I was under the impression that Multitronics were only available on 2WD cars.

Paul


Hi Paul,

Its actually a 2WD Avant 2.5 TDI V6 (Tip). I wanted a Quattro but couldn't find one inside my budget at the time. I do love the car, but I don't love the maintenance costs (even my Mrs loves it. She wanted to get a 206 Estate...!)

Its going in for its 160K cambelt service today (a quick £480!), so just the gearbox anomoly to cure......from reading posts from the search you suggested it sounds like a gearbox oil change may help it a lot.

Cheers,

Will.

[paul b]

Hi Paul,

Its actually a 2WD Avant 2.5 TDI V6 (Tip). I wanted a Quattro but couldn't find one inside my budget at the time. I do love the car, but I don't love the maintenance costs (even my Mrs loves it. She wanted to get a 206 Estate...!)

Its going in for its 160K cambelt service today (a quick £480!), so just the gearbox anomoly to cure......from reading posts from the search you suggested it sounds like a gearbox oil change may help it a lot.

Cheers,

Will.
160k? She's doing well, good luck.

Paul