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Thanks, Steve. /Chris

Many thanks, Richard. I will look into this. I have seen many people offering cheaper kits for sale, but assume they're all cloned software, and liable to missing functionality etc. I think, if we are running expensive SQ5 or higher-end cars, it's not a big deal to pay for the VCDS, as the cost of some repairs will way exceed that - DIY now becomes a viable option. /Chris

Hey everyone, hunting a bizarre wiring short on a 2015 Audi A4 2.0 tdi 190ps . and wanted to see if anyone has encountered this specific failure point before I strip the entire loom back. The Core Symptoms: The car was doing an excessive amount of DPF regenerations. On vcds calculated soot mass was always quite high measured 90% of the time is in the negatives which is impossible oil ash at 30g Checking live data showed a permanent 5.7V on the 5V sensor reference line. I got new dpf sensor.after unplugging lots of sensors i Swapped in a second-hand ECU, and the constant 5.7V remains, ruling out a blown internal ECU voltage regulator or bad remap / adblue delete If the reference pin at the back of the DPF pressure sensor is physically depinned/isolated, the operations of the pressure sensor return to normal functions (or pretty much normal functions). The Breakthrough: While troubleshooting, I moved/wiggled the main wiring harness inside the static plenum/cowl chamber (roughly 4 to 8 inches away from where it exits the ECU box). Moving this specific section instantly triggers clicking relays, flashes the glow plug light on the dash, and throws "overvoltage to glow plugs Current Conclusion: It appears a constant 12V supply wire (ignition feed or relay trigger) has chafed, melted, or cross-shorted directly into the 5V reference wire inside that wrapped plenum chamber bundle, back-feeding and overpowering the circuit. My Questions for the Forum: Has anyone seen this bundle short out inside the static plenum chamber before? Is there a sharp factory clip or edge inside there known for slicing the tape? Does anyone happen to know which specific 12V feed runs parallel to the 5V reference line in this exact stretch so I know what color wires to hunt for? Any wiring diagrams for a 2.0 tdi a4 190ps or past experiences with this specific bundle would be massively appreciated!

Not having confidence in main dealers is terrible, although I feel I was dealt with ok this time I would avoid main dealer like the plague..😅

Thanks for your input. The jobs will get done over the next 6 months before winter kicks in..I can do most of the jobs my self and I have a good mechanic I can rely on..👍

Audi main dealers do car health-checks as a matter of course when you're car is in. Think of it as cash extraction. Absolutely no reason to get them to touch the car. You're paying £200 an hour for a tech, not a mechanic, so seek out a VAG independent. For brakes, personally I rate Zimmermann. If there's a lip front and rear then replace discs and pads and do a brake bleed at the same time. Timing belt, I'm surprised Audi picked up on this as their service reception quote all kind of nonsense and VAG continually change interval times. Rule of thumb is usually 5 year or 60k miles on diesel cars up to 2 litres. Change the water-pump and auxilliary belts at the same time. No issue if the engine tray is scratched. If it's broken that's a different story. You can probably buy second hand part as new it will be expensive. Other than that - just service items such as diesel fuel filter every 20k miles. Rear spring mounts on Avants are known to corrode, so check out. Part is inexpensive, but you're probably looking at £300+ labour cost unless you're spanner handy.

To be honest just buy it from the main dealer. Probably less than you think and you know quality is good. You'll need tensioner pulley and water-pump too.

I had the same last week with my car at a main dealer. I was told the battery was due to be changed, yet it is only five months old and perfectly good. I was told two tyres needed to be changed, yet a local tyre shop that I know to be sound said they were more than legal and refused to sell me new tyres. Warnings of significant wear are all well and good, but to pervert those advance warnings to a need for immediate action is deception, to put it mildly, but typical of main dealers.

The battery is only a year old.

Code readers may point in the right direction, but they should not be taken literally. Interpretation based on experience is always needed. How old is the battery? A defective battery can cause unrelated codes and error messages.

😂.. they put together a list of things that need doing.. mostly ware and tear.. £1600.. they said the under tray was scratched (really), brakes were corroded (rusty) cam belt needs doing in about 6000 miles etc..

So this is an I've issue with my 2016 1.6tdi- has anyone had similar issue? My local mechanic didn't have the proper equipment to diagnose and fix, so sadly the car had to be transported to the nearest main Audi Dealer. Happened suddenly without warning. Symptoms were TPMS warning, Headlight assist and brake warnings all showing up. Car shortly became fully disabled and would not start. My local mechanic provided the following info for the Audi dealership: “The CAN is in a recessive state ( CAN high & low stuck at 2.5v) No communication with ECU, ABS & SRS modules. All powers and grounds at ECU okay, Power at front distribution okay. Fuses all okay. Suspect gateway module” Audi dealer response today after their supposed diagnostic process : "The technician has and is still working on your vehicle, he’s found the trouble: He has stripped vehicle to access all modules on the powertrain BUS system. stripped wiring loom in the plenum chamber but still unable to find the short on the bus wire. Stripped more of the interior and traced short to the interior mirror wiring shorting on the roof bracket. Require more time to repair the wiring and put back the vehicle together which is an extra 5 hours. (your vehicle is still stripped at the moment)" Any experts make any sense of this? Surely the ODIS would have given him a good idea of where to look for a short circuit? He was 99% sure it was the gateway module which he replaced to see if it would work (or more likely following my original mechanics theory). It didnt work and they have charged for that as the part was a special order. My bill was £1800. I told them I was unhappy with the way the car was diagnosed, fitting a part on a hunch, and the length of time it took. I have formally complained to the dealer and Audi. Would like some opinions -Thanks in advance.

Great pics and trip. I did something similar a few years ago it was great.

Welcome to the forum you'll find the members on here are a friendly and helpful bunch 🙂

Welcome to the forum you'll find the members on here are a friendly and helpful bunch 🙂

Hi, Does anyone know which are good kits that contain everything required to do cambelt-water pump etc change Car is on 98000, no service history to say if been done befire

So the seats look like they're from an allroad. The wood is darker than mine. Sorry to hear the ECU is missing. Hope it's found soon!

Very nice.

Thanks for the add. Have an A1 1.6D SPORT. Hoping for some help and advice!

Single VIN is £169. If you have other Audis or VWs (works on Skoda, SEAT, Bentley and Lamborghini) then 3-VIN version is £222. You get different bundles. Get one with a plastic box, as the brains is the USB Hex-2 cable, so it keeps it safe. Order from Gendan. As mentioned - lifetime updates for the VCDS software. Occasionally the dongle hardware needs updated too. Regards the air-con flap, then scan car first to determine if it's motor or linkage. Either way you're going to be stripping down. Once you have an ID you can search YouTube to get location. Suspect it's not programming as such, but adaptation procedure once the new software is installed so everything works in sync.

I bet it took longer to wash the car than it did to fix the MMI.

Audi Warrington: The car went in yesterday and they run it on their ODIS diagnostics, they refreshed the 5F module and updated the mmi soft ware, everything is back to normal. They also washed the car !!. Cost £150. not bad for a dealership. Apparently it took 1 hr. not a bad rate of pay IMHO. 😬

Hi there is only one VCDS, I would recommend the single VIN version if you intend to keep the car, the OBDEleven is a lot cheaper but of late I have found this system will do what you want but only if you have the Pro subscription which is over £100 a year therefore the VCDS represents better value as once purchased its yours with free updates. Steve.

Hi only new to this audi stuff bought my first 2017 A4 se always looking for upgrades and good ideas i'm able to help with diagnostics as currently running odis and vcds

Hi thats better I think a good spray with WD40 and then try twisting it, try left and right gently I have a feeling the end that goes in the filter cover has some sort of locking tabs. Steve.