A6 problems

[brokenaudi1]

Hi, I recently bought a 1997 A6 estate 1.8 petrol, Iwent away for three weeks and on returning i found the battery was flat,so i thought i would jump start it.

The car started and then stopped after a second then i noticed the "key inside the car" light flashing on the dashboard so i know that the immobiliser has kicked in for some reason, but also the stereo and the central locking (not remote) have stopped working??

i have checked the fuses in the end of the dashboard and the ones under the bonnet (drivers side, the two 30 amp metal cased ones and the two standard blade fuses behind them) for continuity and resistance and they all seem fine.

I have also looked at the relays beneath the steering wheel and the ones next to the accelerator pedal where the 60 amp fuse can be found.
Are there any more hidden around the car??

I can see the central locking and stereo are connected somehow from the circuit diagram in the back of the haynes manual but im stumped as to what is causing them not to work.

I have all three keys for the car so im not sure why the immobiliser is stopping me from running the engine. Has the ECU lost the code??

I would really appreciate any help and advice with this,

[Peter D]

LOng shot time. Disconnect the battery for 30 minutes and try and make a clean rapid re-connect. Turn the ignition for 15 seconds then try and start it. Regards Peter

[brokenaudi1]

Thanks for the advice peter, I'll give it a try in the morning and let you know how I get on.
Cheers,
Barry.

[paul b]

As Peter says its sort of "hit and hope" time. These cars shouldn't really be jump starting, as the spiking can cause problems like this.

Best of luck

Paul

[jammie dodger]

I read someone suggest that when you disconnect the two cables from the battery you should touch the two battery cables together as it resets something.

i do not know if there is any truth in this but it will surely do no harm.

[audipersempre]

I have one of those jump start battery packs which I carry around with me. Has a compressor for the tyres too. It states on it the earth lead should be connected to an earthed part of the body or engine not the negative terminal of the battery. I have never had a problem jump starting Audi's with it (TT and A4).

I wonder are these problems caused by incorrect use of jumper cables?

[jammie dodger]

yep you should always connect the earth clamp to the engine if possible or then to an earthed part of the car. some vehicles come with specific jump lead points especially if the battery is hidden.
BTW have you had the battery fully charged and checked output since this has all happened cos my audi 100 2.6 v6 used to behave funny if the battery went low but when charged it was ok. eventually had to buy a new battery as there was a weak cell and left volts low
strange but true8

[zollaf]

the reason you connect the earth away from the battery is so you dont get a spark igniting the fumes from the battery.you connect the live first on the battery and then negative on a convenient spot such as the engine. you then disconnect the negative first.
most modern batteries are sealed, so this rule generally goes out the window. so no, connecting the leads straight to the battery wont have done any damage, unless there was an explosion you didnt mention.
you do have a malfunction with your immobiliser though. i would try all the suggestions above with charging the battery etc, but i think you will have to ask for the services of someone local with vag com to come and help you out.