The three chimes of doom (Or maybe not!)

[green A8]

I got a phone call at the anti social side of 8Am this morning, from a relly who runs my old B5 1.9TDi (AFN) Avant. She was in a bit of a panic, as it would seem that the car was bleeping at her three times over and over, the engine had not been started this morning , but the car was run yesterday and gave no problems at all. As she only lives a couple of miles away rather than faff about on the phone, I simply jumped in the A8 and drove over to hers.

So, lets start at the beginning. Three chimes, as you will no doubt know means 'Danger' stop car and investigate one of three things the fault is indicated by the DIS as either coolant oil pressure or brakes (ABS) It can also indicate a weak battery usually just after start up. But this car hadn't been started.


I had a look underneath for any oil slicks or similar, then I opened the bonnet and checked the battery a healthy 12.7/8 volts were lurking in there. All levels of oil, coolant and brake fluid, were present and correct. Next I jumped in the car and turned the ignition on, without starting the engine, yep the infamous three clangs of doom greeted me and repeated themselves several times even though the engine wasn't running! (Just to get the point across that a problem existed!) But nothing on the DIS at all, no clue as to what the blazes was wrong! The check button performed as advertised and the DIS displayed all faults, both yellow and red. Next up I checked the electrical connections to the ABS pump, the water header tank and the oil pressure switch. Again nothing seemed to be amiss. So I started the engine, nothing for about five seconds then the chimes started. I took the car out of the garage and ran it about a mile or so up the road at first it chimed it's head off, then suddenly it stopped!

I haven't got a clue what the fault if any was. The A4 is now back at my place, my rellie is enjoying the delights of a 4.2 V8 for a day, so she's a happy bunny! I've plugged in and checked the diagnostics, no faults whatsoever were stored, I've not a clue as to what caused this noisy mayhem. I then drove the car about ten miles or so without any further problem. I suspect it COULD have been a bit of junk tripping out the oil pressure sensor (had this before on an A6, a tiny bit of muck clogged the sensor. One new sensor fitted = no more bleeping. At least that car told me what was wrong with it via the DIS though) BUT, as there was no info displayed at all on the DIS of todays problem car I can't confirm this. I just wondered if any of you Ladies and Gents have got any ideas as to what caused this? As a precaution I'll change the oil and filter and see if I have another oil pressure sensor to fit this car.

All ideas and suggestions welcome.

[micheal balbrig]

Could it be weak batteries in alarm system ?

[green A8]

Thank you for that suggestion Micheal. Sadly this car had it's OEM alarm ripped out many moons ago and replaced by a Toad unit. I've checked the alarm and it's in perfect working order, when provoked it squeals it's little head off and sends the car owner SMS's to tell her her car's being nicked! (I got an irate phone call because of that!) So I think it's OK and that we can rule that one out. Thank you once again for the suggestion though.

[spartacus 68]

Had the three chimes of doom on my Avant 2.5TDI quattro (AKN) a couple of years ago. Oil level was fine, coolant level hadn't dropped and engine and coolant temperature was right on the button - although I was towing at the time. The alarm was intermittent, and I guessed it was a faulty sensor. Oil and filter were changed religiously every 10k, so I knew it was unlikely to be a clogged pick up pipe in the sump.

AA were playing silly beggars and quoting 3 hours - so I pressed on. Call it Russian roulette but when I opened the oil filler cap on stopping - the camshaft was wet so I knew it was definitely getting oil, plus temperature was consistent.

I got the oil pressure sensor changed and everything has been fine since.

[green A8]

Firstly THANK YOU Gents for your replies, suggestions and information.

I changed the oil and filter as I said I would. I have ordered up a new oil pressure sensor from Audi, having had some fun and games with some cheaper aftermarket sensors in the recent past I now only fit genuine Audi sensors, (it saves the aggro of making return visits to renew the defective item that was renewed once before!) I then took the car for a fifty mile run, no further problems were noted other than a slightly wonky water temp gauge that was only indicating 70 degrees whilst channel 51 of the climate control hidden menu claimed that the real water temp was 90 degrees (new 4 pin coolant sensor on order) . The car was then left alone overnight and re-started at 8AM today. No repeat of the three chimes of doom at all I'm pleased to say. So it looks like, as with Spartacus's A6 it was some sort of one off fluke (Thanks for takiing the time to tell us about it). Viltual pint delivered

As soon as I pick up and get the new sensors fitted I think (hope) that'll be the end of this perplexing and unexpected issue. Now the cars owner wants me to retro fit cruise control as it would seem she enjoys using the CC on her loan Audi A8. I take it you can fit CC to a 1999 B5 (PF) A4 TDI 1.9 (AFN) Manual? Perhaps thats item for a new thread.

Once again thank you to those who took the time to offer help and suggestions.

[spartacus 68]

Now the cars owner wants me to retro fit cruise control as it would seem she enjoys using the CC on her loan Audi A8. I take it you can fit CC to a 1999 B5 (PF) A4 TDI 1.9 (AFN) Manual? Perhaps thats item for a new thread.

Glad you go it sorted. Nothing worse than problems that remain unresolved.

There's already a fairly comprehensive B5 retro-fit cruise control thread here: Early A4 B5 cruise control fitting problems.