Any Audi mechanic types out there?

Domo

Domo

Domo

Soldato
Joined
11 Feb 2004
Posts
4,532
Location
Surrey, UK
I drive a 2002 Audi A4 SE. It's done 192,000 miles.
Last night the dashboard's engine light illuminated and it's stayed on ever since.
The car drives as expected. No stuttering, acceleration is fine etc.

Just wondered if you guys might know what it could be so I'm slightly prepared when I take it into the local garage?
 
Get the codes read.
Alternatively, order a cheap bluetooth OBD2 dongle and download Torque to your phone and do it yourself.
 
commited said:
Get the codes read.
Alternatively, order a cheap bluetooth OBD2 dongle and download Torque to your phone and do it yourself.
Click to expand...

excelent advice. get the code reader and you will be able to save a small fortune and arm yourself with some knowledge before going to a garage to get it fixed. or even being able to fix it yourself if it's a simple enough job.
 
If it's only the one time get a cheap cable and VCDS-lite. This will tell you all you need to know. Could be MAF sensors, lambda sensor or so many more. MAF's of that era weren't the best.
 
Crikey it's all a bit complicated. Thought someone might simply say it's the air filter or something :o

Thanks for the tips guys. By the way (and showing my genuine inexperience here, potentially!) - I once heard you can damage your car when connecting 3rd party gadgets to your car via the serial connector?

Probably bull! Would be good to have a play.
 
Nedved11 said:
Unfortunately with VAG cars it's not just a matter of any old OBD2 reader will do you will need a suitable VAG-COM reader to get the codes.
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Strange. Details?

Im a Diagnostic engineer with a particular love for VAG. Never needed anything special for them. Ford are the only weird company where I have had problems with universal readers and Im told its only the 1.8 and 2.0 Petrols found in the era of mk1 focus. Ford let you straight onto the bus through OBD port though which is great for detailed diagnostic stuff (If you have the right kit)
 
LupoLover said:
Strange. Details?

Im a Diagnostic engineer with a particular love for VAG. Never needed anything special for them. Ford are the only weird company where I have had problems with universal readers and Im told its only the 1.8 and 2.0 Petrols found in the era of mk1 focus. Ford let you straight onto the bus through OBD port though which is great for detailed diagnostic stuff (If you have the right kit)
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Important part highlighted.

Most generic code readers (like ELM327) will only read main ECU codes (and sometimes not even all of those). It won't read ancillary ECUs for faults for example. Hence the need for things like STAR, INPA, DIS etc.

Obviously with the right diagnostic kit and readers that can understand what is coming along the bus, this isn't a problem.
 
Domo said:
Crikey it's all a bit complicated. Thought someone might simply say it's the air filter or something :o

Thanks for the tips guys. By the way (and showing my genuine inexperience here, potentially!) - I once heard you can damage your car when connecting 3rd party gadgets to your car via the serial connector?

Probably bull! Would be good to have a play.
Click to expand...

ISTR that some early VAG air bag controll units could be damaged by attempting to scan them (Even with VAG-COM!)

I also STR that sometimes on VAG vehicles one can run into issues if an after market radio has been fitted (Which can sometimes result in 12V appearing on pins of the OBD socket that it shouldn't be present on!)
 
Orionaut said:
ISTR that some early VAG air bag controll units could be damaged by attempting to scan them (Even with VAG-COM!)
Click to expand...

I think it was just one old version on vagcom, they updated it to skip the dodgy control units. VAGs will work with generic ODBII readers if it is a fault that puts the engine emissions light on as that is the law.
 
Where abouts in Surrey are you I have a diagnostic reader just for vag I'm in North Hampshire/Surrey border so might be able to help you out
 
Banny - don't know how I missed your post. Thanks - very kind. However it turned out to be a coil pack. What else lol!

Thanks anyway :)
 
Possibly not. But it was nice to see people taking the time to make some suggestions as opposed to being critical of the mere fact I dared post the question ;-)

Anyway, as per my previous post - it's sorted now :)
 
But those posters would have been ****ing in the proverbial wind as much as you were in expecting a reliable answer, hence why the more knowledgeable suggested getting the codes read.
 
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