I've fitted additional LED strip lights into my boot space. I've tagged the additional lights onto the boot light electrical cables (just live and earth). All connections are good, properly crimped and all lights are working correctly.

Initially, as a result of me faffing around during the installation process, the battery did run a little flat, and I needed a jump lead start (just the once) to get the engine fired up, but following a good run and over the last week or so, the battery is now functioning correctly. (no issues there)

I installed the additional lights over a week ago and everything within the car is running fine.

However, I now have on my dashboard when starting up the engine (and staying on whilst driving), the message......Vehicle start system fault.....please contact workshop.

So, a bit of advice and guidance please.

1. Do I need to or should I take the car into a dealership to get (I'm assuming) the trouble codes cleared with possibly incurring costs!

2. Go to a local garage and do the same?

3. Can anyone suggest a remedy on how I can eliminate the message.

I'm open to suggestions.

Thanking you all in advance.

You definitely need a diagnostic check to see if any fault codes flag up. 

Hello Alun, 

If you ran the battery down just ‘playing with’ the electrics, then it’s quite likely the battery is well past its best, and no longer able to support a stop/start facility. 
Yes, I understand the battery will be c just 4 year old ( and now out of warranty), but this vehicle is likely to have been caught up in the Covid issue of lack of ‘chips’ and might well have been sitting around for months - bad news for batteries.

If it were mine, I would drive it around to a Halfords store and get the battery efficiency checked, before doing anything else.

With respect to your wallet - again if it were mine- I would not be getting a new one at Halfords - just come back to us with the outcome.

If the battery is serviceable then we can move on.

Please let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Gareth. 

Thank you both for your advice and opinions. 

A neighbour (who works for a national breakdown company) has had a look at it and said that it requires a main dealer inspection and investigation. 

Therefore I've decided to take it to an audi dealership to investigate the matter.

Please keep us posted on how you get on 

21 hours ago, Audi Alun said:

Thank you both for your advice and opinions. 

A neighbour (who works for a national breakdown company) has had a look at it and said that it requires a main dealer inspection and investigation. 

Therefore I've decided to take it to an audi dealership to investigate the matter.

I hope you give your bank account some pain killers before you pay.

Good news......Good news...... 🙂

I took my car into the main dealership for investigation and they confirmed that the 'battery module monitor' (I think that's what they called it) is broken/damaged/kaput!

Bear with me whilst I explain.....

I bought the car from new, this gave me a three year warranty.

I was advised that when my three years run out I should continue taking out warranties with my car and keep getting it serviced at the main dealer for many reasons which I took on board.

Subsequently I took out an additional two year warranty a few months ago with the dealership.

This included two services, two MOT's, two years breakdown cover and of course two years warranty on the vehicle.

This cost me a total of £887.00

Now then......following the investigation into the matter as previously described, the dealership has stated that the battery module monitor (parts and labour) is covered under the vehicle warranty........YAYYYYY!

The part has ordered (by the dealership) and it will be fitted in early September.

I then asked.....IF I didn't have the warranty, what would be the total cost of parts and labour, they said.......£550.00

I am one happy Audi owner!!!. 

That's good news Alun. I suggest you do not mention your electrical modifications in case the dealer uses them as an excuse to void the warranty.

What electrical modifications? 😉

 

You wote on 5th August:

"I've fitted additional LED strip lights into my boot space. I've tagged the additional lights onto the boot light electrical cables (just live and earth). All connections are good, properly crimped and all lights are working correctly."

Ssshhhhh.....dont tell anyone. 😉🤣

My lips are sealed.

 Ive had a couple of things go wrong with my a6 between 3 and 5 years old and the dealer fixed them under the all in service plan warranty so I’ve taken it out again I few months ago it’s a no brainer 

Audi Adun take a look at ur rear spring mount rubbers mine were corroded by 4 years and needed replacing 

great out come on ur fault and repair