Project Memoirs: By Way of Update…

28,173 · January 16

19 minutes ago, SiC said:

I didn't know Audi put them on cars that small. Can you program it to come on at a particular time? Useful if possible to have it defrost the car ready to drive off for work.

It is technically possible, depending on the heater model it might just need +12v to a pin on the connector (which may or may not be populated) or it might need an additional controller.

Either way if you want it to actually warm up the car you also need to add some sort of relays to turn the interior fans on.

I did do all this on a van I had once.

I guess the little TDI engine is so thermally efficient it heats up really slowly so the fuel economy penalty of dragging the heater round and operating it is less than the one from it not warming up.

63,151 · January 16

I'm mildly jealous of the Webasto - that's about the only option the original owner of my 75 didn't tick, and I often wish they had. (They didn't tick traction control either to be fair, but then they presumably surmised (correctly) that with 115bhp and an auto 'box it didn't really need it.)

2,429 · January 16

I’ve recently taken on this red a2 tdi

Enjoying it so far, it’s a bit agricultural compared to my t6 just behind it but meh . Don’t think it has the webasto though :(

34,068 · January 17

My TT's clock cluster went senile, a company called Totaltronics refurbed it when the previous owner had the car and they were spot on.

Only thing is you need to remove the cluster and send it away which isn't that practical if it's your daily.

40,369 · January 17

Part of the Immobiliser system is in the dash on VAG. So removing it and then continue driving it is not an option. (Unless the ECU has had an immo off flashed into it) Likewise if it doesn't power up as it's playing up, the car won't continue running.

VAG immobilisers let the engine run for a second and then cut off if the immobiliser system isn't happy. By design, allows the engine to get running quickly on a key turn without excess cranking, giving time for the immobiliser system to finish it's authorisation checks. But if they fail in that first second and the engine is already running, it'll cut the engine. Once authorised and running, it stays authorised until switched off.

36,701 · January 17

Another day, another problem.

Took the A2 to the man to do the indicator bulb as I don’t have a T30 torx bit anywhere findable. All done, great stuff.

Barrelling along a country lane I then got a massive exclamation mark show on the dash which is still there even after turning off and on again. Obviously it’s some sort of brake warning, yet everything seems ok. Will need to have a further look to see if brake lights and abs are working but it’s another grumble!

There will be a recurring theme to future posts I’m sure. ‘Should have bought an Avensis’ (!)

40,369 · January 17

All cars seem to have the nasty problem of flaring up issues as soon as they change owners. Stuff that was absolutely fine for the previous owner suddenly decides to break itself.

Worse for me was my 2007 Civic. I bought in 2012, replaced the clutch 6 months into ownership, then fault free and regularly serviced with around 65k miles put on it in that time. My in-laws had it in 2018. They ran it till 2021 and put a further few tens of thousands on. Sold it to a mate (purplebarken) as he needed a solid car that he could trust. I had full trust in it and knew it was fully together and solid.

Like less than two months in the bloody thing decided to shit it's dual mass flywheel on my mate. Absolutely no inkling it was going to go.

I think @mercedade mate now owns it from memory - it deciding to shit one of its pulleys and injector seal again shortly on change of ownership.

I hate cars and shit like this is why I haven't really changed them much in the last year.

36,701 · January 17

50 minutes ago, SiC said:

I hate cars and shit like this is why I haven't really changed them much in the last year.

Long-term ownership is always the answer. If I hadn't tried to help my Mum and Dad out by taking on her Merc, I'd still be plodding along on my RAV and I doubt very much anything other than tyres and oil will have been required. Since I've had a Mercedes C220 that wouldn't go backwards, a Saab which cost £950 to clear a ticket and now the niggly Audi. I don't mind putting money into a car but first? It MUST show to me that it's a good one. I'm not sinking thousands into an ungrateful old nail, that's not the solution to anything.

I've bought a cheap code reader because, apparently, this EXCLAMATION MARK !! could mean brakes, abs, wheel speed sensor or - indeed - myriad other stuff.

34,068 · January 17

Daft question but is the fluid level correct? Someone could have forgotten to top it up after a pad change and the resulting wear in the pad has meant the piston comes further out and the level drops just enough to trigger the warning.

Could also be the level sensor?

34,068 · January 17

Oh, and if it's any consolation, you've had about as much luck with cars as I did last year. The A8 had me on my back fixing stuff more than I drove it, then is shat it's turbo actuator. The E60 was pissing oil and coolant and needed a very expensive gearbox service. And then the E46 immediately cost me £950, mainly because it's gearbox went senile (I cannot bring myself to like that car).

The A4 was the only shining star, it's gone great right off the bat!

Cars, a shower of bastards.

10,142 · January 17

I've got an E61 approaching 245k that seems to have been a super steed for all of its previous owners, I'm hoping it doesn't kill itself on the impending MOT!

I am sure the A2 will endear itself to you eventually. I hope.

36,701 · January 17

1 hour ago, Split_Pin said:

Daft question but is the fluid level correct?

It is a trifle lower than I'd like it to be. I will top it up tomorrow. Bought a code reader too just to knock the fault off but will see what it has to say.

1 hour ago, bramz7 said:

I've got an E61 approaching 245k that seems to have been a super steed for all of its previous owners

Don't worry, I'm keeping a watchful eye on that Bimmer. It's the last car I ought to buy but it's a lovely car and they're quite brilliant things.

2,429 · January 17

My a2 does the same, next start it’s gone. I tried scanning it and didn’t get anything interesting out of it other than this:

Dunno where to go from there!

9,642 · January 17

Hooky ABS sensor someplace?

2,430 · January 17

4 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

I don't mind putting money into a car but first? It MUST show to me that it's a good one. I'm not sinking thousands into an ungrateful old nail, that's not the solution to anything

My wife thinks I'm overly suspicious because I don't trust any vehicle for at least 5000 miles. It usually takes at least that long for me to establish that the seller wasn't hiding anything untoward, or that it isn't obviously on its last legs. One big breakdown and the whole house of cards can fall though - back to square one.

5,337 · January 17

5 hours ago, SiC said:

All cars seem to have the nasty problem of flaring up issues as soon as they change owners. Stuff that was absolutely fine for the previous owner suddenly decides to break itself.

Worse for me was my 2007 Civic. I bought in 2012, replaced the clutch 6 months into ownership, then fault free and regularly serviced with around 65k miles put on it in that time. My in-laws had it in 2018. They ran it till 2021 and put a further few tens of thousands on. Sold it to a mate (purplebarken) as he needed a solid car that he could trust. I had full trust in it and knew it was fully together and solid.

Like less than two months in the bloody thing decided to shit it's dual mass flywheel on my mate. Absolutely no inkling it was going to go.

I think @mercedade mate now owns it from memory - it deciding to shit one of its pulleys and injector seal again shortly on change of ownership.

I hate cars and shit like this is why I haven't really changed them much in the last year.

Hey, that Spitfire's been fine! 😉

34,068 · January 17

1 hour ago, meshking said:

My a2 does the same, next start it’s gone. I tried scanning it and didn’t get anything interesting out of it other than this:

Dunno where to go from there!

Same code reader as me. It's entirely random at which Audis it talks to and which it won't. 05 A8 and 07 A4 it connected to all the modules, 08 A4, it only does basic OBD. Won't talk to the roof, TPMS or parking sensors 🤷‍♂️

2,429 · January 18

Sorry I really should add to my thread rather than filling up @BorniteIdentityone!

1.5k · January 18

23 minutes ago, meshking said:

Sorry I really should add to my thread rather than filling up @BorniteIdentityone!

Apologies to @BorniteIdentity also but appreciate you mentioning your red A2. I saw a red A2 yesterday and my first thought was that it must have been one of the rarer colours. Annoyingly it ended up parked fairly hemmed in so didn't get a shot.

2,076 · January 18

On 16/01/2025 at 22:57, meshking said:

I’ve recently taken on this red a2 tdi

Enjoying it so far, it’s a bit agricultural compared to my t6 just behind it but meh . Don’t think it has the webasto though

You'll have a PTC Electric Heater that comes on when the ambient temperature is 5°C and below.

Very effective. Heat within a couple of minutes if battery and charging system is in order! 😎

2,076 · January 18

On 12/01/2025 at 21:30, BorniteIdentity said:

All told, I’ve had a lovely weekend dicking about with old heaps.

Firstly, I had to go and pick up a bed from across town. Nothing better than picking over the bones of a dead person’s house to start your weekend and get the old juices flowing. Had to use the Sierra because hatchback.

-5 Celsius for two consecutive nights meant both sides of the windscreen were properly iced. I also had to check that there was still coolant in the reservoir, and that it hadn’t frozen. (I’ve been topping it up over the last few months and lost track of what the mixture must be now).

Car started with relative ease but the heater is average at best. Really I just need a £10 fan heater and an extension lead on days like this, but they’re so few and far between I doubt I’ll bother. Bed collected happily and I’ve now got something larger to fart in of an evening.

Second job was to shoot up to Peterborough to meet @Split_Pin and deliver the Saab. It’s probably the best car I’ve owned, in many respects, ever. Really, I just need a car that’s very practical and cheap to run right now - hence the jump into…

Thanks to @95 quid Peugeotfor picking me up earlier and agreeing a very straightforward sale. Formerly owned by @Wingz123 - it’s a high owner car that’s been pushed from pillar to post over the years, which is both a shame and unusual; these funny little things are very much loved by their many fans.

Early impressions are favourable. The early cars have a tiny fuel tank (offset by the incredible frugality) so it’s been brimmed and I’ll report findings back at a later date. There’s the odd clonk which will be investigated and, most pressing, the timing belt needs doing.

It’s also got yellow headlights bulbs in; my first experience of what is, frankly, a ludicrous solution to automotive illumination. I’ll be stamping on those bulbs almost immediately 😉.

The car is very well geared and 70 is 2,500 rpm. In town, 30 mph is 2,000 rpm in 3rd - so you only need the first two or three gears around the doors. I realised, coming home tonight, this is the first time I’ve daily’d a manual car in 4 years, possibly longer. All in the name of frugality, eh?!

Other findings? The A Pillars are chunky. Fortunately, nothing is as bad as a Nissan Leaf and at least the A2 has little triangular ‘port holes’ you can see out of.

The radio doesn’t seem to do its thing. I plumbed everything in I could find but no dice. I may upgrade to a Blaupunkt retro unit but apparently the car gets funny about the windscreen antenna and the radio if the OEM unit isn’t there. I will probably just farm this out to an auto electrician. I would like DAB but will need a crafty aerial solution.

Driving position is unusual - your legs feel like they’re horizontal rather than bent at the knees, the floor feels high. Some people complain of cramp but fortunately I was fine for 2 hours today with no ill effect. Obviously, it’s no Saab - you’re perched ON the seat rather thank sunken into it, but it’s fine.

Overall, for the price, I’m really happy. First job is timing belt and water pump, then ICE and then we’ll have a look at these knocks.

As I pulled into the drive, I chuckled to myself in my favourite local radio voice chuckle. All my cars are now red, and poorly specced. Delicious.

Here’s to cheap old cars. Cheers!

This is Alison. A 1.4TDI from 2003. She is still a daily driver and has just over 286,000 on the clock.

She needs to be cleaned... Anyhoo, brilliant cars. I've been running Alison since February 2014...

36,701 · January 18

9 hours ago, meshking said:

Sorry I really should add to my thread rather than filling up @BorniteIdentityone!

Please never apologise. I love a tangent, and am never precious about "OMG DIS MY THREAD LOL". We're here to talk about old heaps.

On 16/01/2025 at 22:57, meshking said:

I’ve recently taken on this red a2 tdi

Enjoying it so far, it’s a bit agricultural compared to my t6 just behind it but meh . Don’t think it has the webasto though

I like your wheels a million times more than mine. Most suitable for the car. As @Leyland Worldmastersays you have an electrical aux heater being a later car. I'd probably rather have yours than mine sipping precious diesel (!)

Anyway. Stuck about 200ml of dot 4 down its throat earlier on and the BFO exclamation mark has been replaced by an amber OK!. I'm not declaring it fixed as I'm yet to clamber under the car and make sure none of the cylinders are leaking. Will monitor.

40,369 · January 18

53 minutes ago, BorniteIdentity said:

I'd probably rather have yours than mine sipping precious diesel (!)

A PTC still consumes energy that needs to be generated at some point! Just instead of directly burning the diesel as heat with a Webasto style heater, it's using diesel to run the engine which converts to electrical energy with an alternator and then converts back into heat with PTC cells.

I imagine Audi went to PTC heaters as they are cheaper to implement than a Webasto.

36,701 · January 18

23 minutes ago, SiC said:

A PTC still consumes energy that needs to be generated at some point!

(Of course. I’d maybe bet 50 new pence that the electrical heater is marginally cheaper, and provides heat a bit faster. My experience of the webasto is it still takes 5-10 mins to feel ANY heat at all)

36,701 · January 19

16 hours ago, BorniteIdentity said:

I'm yet to clamber under the car and make sure none of the cylinders are leaking.

Well. At least it’s self diagnosed without me getting my jeans dirty.

Should have bought a Toyota.

36,701 · January 21

Today has not been a good day. I have a great relationship with my favoured garage, but I could hear the distress in his voice on the other end when I answered his call.

"This isn't particularly great news, Daniel".

Long story short I dropped the Audi in with four niggles. All largely result from the car being laid up for a few years before entering the AS family, and all fixable.

Brake fluid escaping through incontinent wheel cylinder.
Battery light flashing under acceleration/load.
Suspension clonk
Car reluctant to get to temperature

The wheel cylinder is shot. It has pissed out brake fluid everywhere in considerable fashion. Shoes are brown bread and drums are lipped. Brake pipe is not in great order at the back of the car; I've asked him if he could put a join in should it need repiping but he looked reluctant. Corrosion has begun, of course, along the majority of the run. The piping may wait, but drums shoes and cylinders are on order.

The alternator bearings are beginning to go which is why the alternator mostly works but also doesn't. This is, at an informed guess, because of both old age and being laid up. Replacement being fitted.

The suspension clonk is coming from the lower arms. The balljoints are built in on these so the most comprehensive fix is to change the whole shooting match and polybush at the same time. Two lower arms on order. Furthermore, one front shock has shat itself completely and the other is misting heavily. Two shocks on order.

Mechanic can't see any reason the car isn't getting to temperature so we're going to stuck ANOTHER new thermostat in, even though £95pug put one in already. For context, I did 50 miles yesterday of both chugging and blasting about and it never once hit the magic 90 degrees.

As ever, I write here as a log of both motoring highs and lows - and hold no ill-feeling towards the previous owner. You win some, and you lose some, and over the last 12 months I've taken a repeated hiding on cars. I reckon I've stacked up about £5,000 of repairs and fixes which makes me look completely foolish. Mostly because I am.

As the old saying goes:

"If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have no luck at all"

28,173 · January 21

I think the car uses the webasto to heat the coolant up in normal driving so this could be worth checking? You might be able to talk to it with VCDS.

34,068 · January 21

You're not foolish, just into old cars. I had an awful 2024 with one bad motoring decision after another. All in I must have ended the year taking at least a £2k bath.

28,173 · January 21

Page 67 of part 4 of "Audi A2 Technology" describes the operation of the webasto.

http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/index3_eng.php

Unfortunately it's in German but it does seem to confirm the heater is used to help the engine warm up.

If there is a shiter local to you with VCDS they should be able to connect to the webasto as module 18 and see if it's unhappy for any reason.

Do you hear it operating? It sounds like you have a small hovercraft under the car when it's running.

36,701 · January 21

40 minutes ago, Dave_Q said:

Page 67 of part 4 of "Audi A2 Technology" describes the operation of the webasto.

http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/index3_eng.php

Unfortunately it's in German but it does seem to confirm the heater is used to help the engine warm up.

If there is a shiter local to you with VCDS they should be able to connect to the webasto as module 18 and see if it's unhappy for any reason.

Do you hear it operating? It sounds like you have a small hovercraft under the car when it's running.

Thanks for this, Señor Q. The Webasto appears to be working perfectly. On a run at 70 it hits full temp after about 15 miles but 50 miles around the doors and no dice.

It’s a bit of a sorry episode / season this. I will have to sell the SuperCub to fund the repairs because I’m at full stretch financially atm with other shit raining down. Another six weeks and we’re in Sierra territory. Three months and it’s OnlyFans time

Project Memoirs: By Way of Update…

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