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Are we going to get any feedback following Chris James’ advice then?

My thanks to all that responded to my initial query regarding the recommended life of the timing belt on my Q3. Your comments have been very useful. Despite Audi still sticking with their life of 186,500 miles or 15 years I'm going for something in the region of 6 years or 70,000 miles. I would rather spend £1500 +/- now than umpteen thousands in a few years. Subject now closed

Thank you both Stevey and Spartacus very helpful of you. Steven, I just downloaded my original VCDS attachment from this site and that scrolls OK, so who knows why yours won't; another gremlin! I have attached an idiot's guide I found on the EPB which does refer to the control module you referred to but I understand that on my A3 8V, an MQB platform vehicle, this module is integrated into the ABS ECU. The VCDS coding section for the EPB control unit is 53, but this does not appear in my VCDS log which supports the suggestion that the EPB function is now within the ABS ECU at 03 coding. AudiParkingBrake.pdf

Concur with Steve. Very frustrating. Given you're in £3k deep, absolutely nothing wrong with taking a closer look at the parking brake module. It lives under the central console behind the parking brake switch, etc. Copy of the section from VCDS, for reference. Just to be clear - when caliper was changed, was old EPB swapped over, or was the electric handbrake unit new too?

Many thanks.

I bought and fitted this https://amzn.eu/d/0hnwABjf into my 2016 Jap import (so no DAB) I’m still working my way around it but I’m happy with it so far. Took me about 3 hours to fit but if I did another it would probably be about an hour.

Too True.

Hi shame I can't read the posted scan as it won't scroll, maybe its me, you seem to have replaced most everything as per faithfully given advice which I would not concur with, A. what are called pattern/aftermarket callipers are actually refurbished O.E.units, there is no unlimited supply of new units, B, the ABS unit has nothing to do with the handbrake as that operates electromagnetically and requires no assistance from fluid generated by the ABS, you have replaced a loom component therefore in my humble opinion this and the replacement of the switch would lead me to consider the handbrake control module, you should consult an auto electrician before condemning the unit as they are not cheap and need coding in, the problem with these vehicles is the electrics are far to complex and unfortunately the dealers will string you along buying parts forever, its making them rich, they have a system called Odis which can test any part of the cars electrics and identify wiring/module faults but won't do that as its far more fun getting you to replace the car in bits. Steve.

Fair enough Brian, but most drivers don't have the inclination or the competence to change their own wheels, such is the level of the nation's mechanical inability. They just sit back and phone the AA or RAC.

A3 8V 2014 S line 1.8TFSI Electronic Parking Brake Fault Help please, all suggestions welcome. Some 2 years ago it started, just an occasional yellow parking brake symbol. The car would drive normally. Reading that a failing battery can be the cause, I had a new genuine Audi one fitted. Re-occurred. Local garage said right rear caliper error reported. New, pattern-part caliper fitted. Week or so later re-occurred. Taken to main-dealer, 4 times, for investigation. Suspected, but not proved, ABS ECU suggested. Had local garage send the ECU for testing for suspected intermittent fault. No fault found, so refitted. OK for a couple of weeks then re-occurred. Took care to different dealer, changed the wiring-loom to right rear caliper as suggested by ECU tester. No change, garage suggested pattern-part caliper the cause so genuine Audi one fitted. OK for 6 weeks then re-occurred. Had parking brake switch changed, no change. The fault never goes away by itself, when it is there, yellow flashing brake symbol and brake switch light flashing. Operating the switch most times does nothing and no noise from the brake motors. If start and drive, loud audible intermittent alarm, alternating yellow brake icon with red triangle icon and message "Parking brake is applied" and parking brake switch light flashing. Just occasionally operating the switch clears the fault and the motors can be heard working. I now am in the habit of never applying the brake (automatic so car won't move). But most times now, despite leaving the car without the brake applied, next time I use the car the yellow symbol, flashing brake switch light come before even starting the engine. Thankfully only twice have I found the brake actually applied and won't release. Some time later have been able to release it. I have tried a reset found on the web of applying the switch down for 7 seconds then up for 7 etc. Also tried battery disconnect. I have attached a full VCDS scan. After a battery, 2 caliper-assemblies and wiring-loom and over £3k, no further forward. An ECU would be over £2k. Help please, the alarm blaring away in the car is driving me mad. Love the car but..... Audi-A3-8V-Jul2026.txt

But whats to happen if you have a puncture, and the gash in the tyre is too great for the goo to seal it, and the wheel has to be removed ? I always go on the side of caution, I have a space saver, the jack, and wheel brace etc I already had in my garage. regards Brian.

Hi if the tank is the non round type you can remove the bag, if its the round double skinned type its in between the structure and you can't get at it. Steve.

Right, you now have to confirm your suspicion that the noise is from a belt driven components - but which one. A good start would be to use a rod type stethoscope, taking all safety and risk elements into consideration - probably wiser to entrust this to a garage. The offender should reveal itself. Regards, Gareth. Please note, worth emphasising the risks of this approach with an engine running at 3K revs. Just take it to a trusted garage. ( all in Caps).

But VAG don’t want you to remove any wheels Brian. Goo & compressor, and you are back on the road without any DIY wheel removing. Yes, I agree they should - and currently do - supply a LWNR, but could that become a victim of a future cost cut, and a move towards ‘no mechanical intervention allowed by owners’. Regards, Gareth.

That's risky. If the bag tears you will get silica gel crystals in the cooling system and likely need an expensive new heater matrix; whereas a new reservoir costs less than £20.

Why do you need forceps Phillip? Surely the intention is to remove your with-silica -bag reservoir, throw it away, and simply replace it with a new without-bag one. Regards, Gareth.

Thanks for that……I need some forceps

Phillip, see this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39ngHGvMzEg

In that case you probably have all the tools you need at home. Welcome to the world of extreme cost cutting: cars with no spare wheels, phones without chargers, delivery company's which dump deliveries on the road outside the address.

Thanks for the replies. Yes have got the locking wheel bolt adapter, toeing eye and the thing to remove the caps on the nuts but that’s it. This is only my second brand new Audi and my last Q5 came with a tool kit and no spare wheel. I’ve always had new Mercedes and they all came with tool kits but no spare wheel. I’m just a bit of a geek when it comes to stuff that should come with your new car. There is no room even for a space saver because the subwoofer is in the way in this SQ5.

What’s the silicon do and why better without original……never hear of this in a coolant rad 😱

At the very least, the car should come with the adaptor for the locking wheel bolts to enable you to remove a wheel if the need arises. Brian.

Have you seen this Andrew? https://www.audiownersclub.com/forums/topic/24906-alternator-failure-related-to-mild-hybrid-system

Last time I looked they were on Amazon.

Contra opinion based on experience of other marques. Never ordered a new Audi so with the caveat that VAG maybe (in caps) be operating differently:- If you order a spare wheel kit ( if available for the model being ordered), you will receive a spacesaver spare wheel, a jack and wheel brace. If you order without spare wheel, you get a canister of goo sealant and a compressor to re inflate the flat tyre at the roadside. It is deemed that you don’t need a jack or wheelbrace, since you don’t need to jack the car up or remove the wheel. Regards, Gareth.