Any audi botherers? Thought not

[Bren]

ESP / handbrake malfunction are still coming on intermittently on my A6. Previously had to a garage who had diagnostic equipment but could not find any faults.

 

I had considered low battery voltage as car is used for short trips. Tonight the lights were off until I went over a bump and the car symbol with two squiggly lines came on.

 

Anybody any ideas? I have just driven 50 miles so it will be interesting to see if lights come on when I use it tomorrow.

[Bren]

By the way car is petrol - 2.4 V6 with manual box.

[Guest Hooli]

At a guess that's the ESP light, which you said but I didn't read it properly.

 

My first thought would be a dodgy wire to a wheel sensor that disconnects when the suspension flexes over a bump, I had the same in my XJ40. I'd have thought it'd store a code though, unless it clears on restart when the system self-tests.

[AlabamaShrimp]

I've had similar in the ST but with the air bag light. Was the connector under one of the seats, not sure which as they've both been out. Not happened since they were replugged in.

[SiC]

What are they scanning with? You really need a proper scan tool like VCDS for yourself. There would be codes when it triggers - even if the light goes back off again, but some units can clear them after a number of ignition cycles.

 

Also not all garages diagnostic equipment can read all the modules codes properly.

[Captain Furious]

Had a similar problem recently with my Mondeo, ABS and ESP lights would come on randomly, I later determined it was always when the car was warm and when I was going round a sweeping left hand bend at speed (in fact it would usually happen on the same bend each night on the way back from work

 

Got some software that would read the codes in the ABS module, front right sensor was intermittently disagreeing with the other 3. Had that replaced, the light still happened. Ended up being the wheel bearing, because the magnetic pickup ring for the ABS is integral to the back of the bearing. This had a tiny crack in it which must have opened up when the bearing was stressed under cornering causing the reading to go out on that wheel

 

Of course, yours might be something totally different, but as above you need proper diagnostic software that can read all the cars modules, standard code readers won't.

[Bren]

A longish trip has not cured matters.

Will have to get a diagnostic done this week.

 

How much do you spend on repairs on a large petrol engined audi which is 13 years old?

[Guest Hooli]

More than I would on a diesel one.

[Dave_Q]

What year is it? Can you read codes etc yourself with a £5 VAGCOM cable?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD2-409-1-USB-Cable-VAG-COM-OBD-Diagnostic-Scanner-VW-Audi-Seat-VCDS-UK-Stock/181792604553?hash=item2a53af0189:g:vB0AAOSwImRYQAad

[robinmasters]

How much do you spend on repairs on a large petrol engined audi which is 13 years old?

As much as you can afford. Then sell it on, at a considerable loss.

[chaseracer]

How much do you spend on repairs on a large petrol engined audi which is 13 years old?

 

How much do you like it?  What sort of condition's the rest of it in?  How prepared are you, if you sack it off, to take on an unknown quantity of someone else's problems?

[Faker]

I had to have a proper scan on my S3 when all the warning lights came on, and abs stopped working.... turned out to be a longitudinal yaw sensor behind the dash. There's a lateral one too...

[Bren]

I had to have a proper scan on my S3 when all the warning lights came on, and abs stopped working.... turned out to be a longitudinal yaw sensor behind the dash. There's a lateral one too...

All bollocks - it's a car - not a eurofighter. Why do I need to know about yaw when I am on the A55? Audi get your act together.

 

As for the car - its a 2004 A6 C6 2.4 SE. It is slightly povo spec - six manual gears, no sat nav, no sunroof. However it has nice leather and is oyster grey in colour - it has a purple flip in the sunlight. Genuine 57k with lots of history. It is a nice smooth drive but could do with another 50 hp as 174 bhp in a car like this is very modest.

[NorthernMonkey]

Not sure where you are without a bit of internet stalking but if you’re within reach of Burnley, Lancashire then I’d be more than happy to give it a good interrogation? I’ve got SnapOn, Delphi and MaxiSys scanners...

[Guest Hooli]

Yaw sensors are for the ESP. I totally agree cars shouldn't need them, if they were designed to handle properly (note handle not road holding, these are different) then it wouldn't be needed.

[AMC Rebel]

Fifth gear did some tests on ESP - even Plato and Needell couldn’t control a car as well as esp.

[SiC]

Even the Dacia duster has a Yaw sensor nowadays.

[chaseracer]

I'm glad my Dyane doesn't...

[Bren]

Will get codes checked this week - car just cut out and coasted but re started straight away.

 

Very odd.

[Guest Hooli]

Fifth gear did some tests on ESP - even Plato and Needell couldn’t control a car as well as esp.

 

Doesn't mean a safe handling car wouldn't need it.

[Bren]

Going in on Wednesday for a diagnostic check.

[Bren]

Not good news.

 

Possibly yaw sensor or control unit.

 

To buy yaw sensor £250. Control unit £600.

 

More investigation required. Potentially the bill could be nudging four figures. I hve paid for the diagnostic and took the car back.

 

I am not prepared to spend that much on a 13 year old car just to extinguish some warning lights.

[twosmoke300]

I expect the yaw sensor shares its part no with loads of models - is it under the back seat on yours ? Pop it up , get the number and get a used on off ebay . Pretty sure they are not coded to the control unit .

[Bren]

No - steering wheel has to come off.

[SiC]

Are you sure thats the yaw sensor and not the steering angle sensor?

 

This is a A6 yaw sensor (off ebay) for a MY2005:

[oldcars]

Yaw sensors are always causing me bother in the Rialto.

[Bren]

Sorry steering angle sensor - apologies.

[SiC]

Plenty available second hand on eBay. Just match part numbers. It will need calibrating with a diagnostic tool - VCDS (VAGCOM) will be able to do it. Easy enough to DIY if you feel so inclined - will need a diag tool though.

[twosmoke300]

Ahh yes steering angle sensor is a whole different kettle of fish .

[garbaldy]

I have this old scrapper which you can have whole or parts off if any good,