Adam Rhodes

Hi I have a Audi A3 s line 1,9 2003 that someone reversed the polarity on damaging ECU and componants so I have gone out and bought clocks,ECU, ignition, d/side footwell board and now I am going crazy trying to find the anti theft and tow control unit along with gateway control module . Please please help me locate where they are so I can get my baby back on the road.

I think my problem goes deeper than just the ECU after fitting two different ones now. I have tracked down a donor vehicle with matching numbers and soon to be able to renew all components. The annoying part is she starts first time every time but just dies seconds after. And have been getting no Life from the clocks . I have tried a few ECU repair places and been quoted 5-600 and like I said I think it's more than just the ECU. I will call the ECU repair and find out . Cheers Adam 54

I tried fitting just a replacement ECU and if anyone is ever in the same position you do need the clocks and if possible the ignition+ door lock and keys I'm afraid ☹️ I spent a couple of hours making sure it was fitted correctly and got a multimeter to test the feed and I am pretty certain in a case of reverse polarity it doesn't just fry the ECU but also the clocks as no illumination. The car trys to start every time but stalls after a second 😕

He was in a van reving the nuts off as he gave me the thumbs up and it was in heavy sleet and snow but the leads I still have are seriously melted and the red one nearly black where it goes into the one clip? I too have never seen cables do that but I have never seen anyone stupid enough to put the cables the wrong way either?? I have just received a new ECU through the post and going to fit it tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up about the alternator being fried. If she runs tomorrow I will take the one from my 4 door A3 and move my insurance ect over to the s line. I have missed her something crazy. She should fly through the mot as hardly moved since the last one

It surprised me that the serial numbers on the ECU are identical to my original one except the last three didgets? I am hoping that the car will run ok and I will have to have the fobs reprogrammed ? This is what I am hoping for but what actually happens will be another thing I'm sure lol No venture no gain and for under 50 quid it's not a expensive lesson

I just got the new ECU today I will let you know how I get on. With luck I will finally hear my s line prrrrr again and I can get rid of the other A3 then

I have just been offered the correct ECU for the car for just 35 quid but I thought I would have to get clocks locks fob and ECU from the same car?! If I get this one can it be reprogrammed does anyone know? I know they can reprogam the keys to a different frequency but not sure where the clocks come in to it all

There's another bolt behind the bumper and I am pretty sure they have those rubber pegs that holds them secure?

Have you tried to rewire it yourself? Just replace each damaged cable individually ? I had issues with mine from someone trying to change the stereo and made a right mess and if the stereo was on the automatic transmission didn't shift up or would slip down gears. A hour with a soldering iron and some shrink plastic and it's back to perfect. If you have a Haynes manual you can see what each wire goes to and you should be able to pin point the problem quickly

Can just be corrosion on the contact's also if you ever have issues with your turbo detach from exhaust and spray as much Mr muscle oven cleaner into and down the exhaust and simply re attache and start the engine and it will completely de coke everything and return performance

It's a design fault with the a3s the way the water pump for the back window is situated means when the jet's get slightly blocked the pipe can leak or jump off all together so when you spray the back window and nothing happens it's because the water has soaked all the wiring and for the pump, wiper motor and the central locking servo for the boot and when one fails it won't work at all. Fix this issue and the central locking and alarm will work correctly

I have similar issues with my A3 2006 if I have the stereo on loud the automatic transmission either slips out of gear or just doesn't change up at all?? I can't seem to get a straight answer what's causing this either?

May have to change the suspension springs and check out the breaks ? Other than that all good

I can do the work myself swapping clocks locks and ECU but I don't want to do it all and find out it doesn't work 😫 Or worse I end up trashing the automatic ECU and end up with two undrivable Audi A3's ?! Also I will be putting all leather interior and carbon fibre parts on the grey s line and all other upgrades and extras. I have tried to speak with Audi mechanics and they refused to say either way and to get the original ECU and clocks fixed would be more than the car is worth. Please advise as I am struggling at the moment and i know that there is truth in green cars been unlucky as I have never had as many issues with a vehicle in my life and I once owned a rover lol

I need to know if I can use the ECU clocks locks and keys from a automatic to repair a manual Audi A3 of the same size? Desperately need any assistance in this matter

Hi I really hope someone can help me with a massive problem. I have a grey Audi A3 s manual that was my baby until someone trying to help me get started after a flat battery jumped me and had the cables the wrong way around frying my ECU!! I have had someone come look at it and he quoted me 800 just to get the ECU sent off for repair (not including taking it out and refitting it) plus he mentioned something about having to still reprogramme it once fitted?! And it's more than the car is worth it being 2003. So he said I should do this or try and get clocks,locks,keys and ECU from a similar car but I would still be looking at around the same amount!!? So I looked around online and found a cheap 2006 Audi A3 2,0 four door and needed a car so I bought it and it's automatic or tectonic gears. Well all I'm going to say is that it was cheap for a reason and gearbox slips and other issues. So I really really need to know weather I can use the ECU from a 2006 automatic to repair my 2003 s line ??? Any ideas anyone??? I can do the work myself but I really don't want to go through all of this to find it doesn't work?? Or even worse end up with two unusable vehicles.??! Please please please let me know. I have already taken the s line ECU out and it is definitely dead. Sounds like a maraca when shaken lol.

I had a lovely dolphin grey Audi A3 s line that was my baby and it's 2003 and I have always kept it immaculate and well looked after but right at the end of winter the last snow fall we had I had stopped out after a night out and had my jacket stolen and next morning I went to drive back home and it struggled to start and regrettably I stopped at my local shops just wearing a jumper and when I tried to leave it was dead! I tried to bump start it but had no traction on the ice and the car behind me was giving me the horn so I stopped trying got out went to his window and said the battery is dead and he offered to give me a jump start. Well long story short I opened the bonnet freezing in heavy sleet and wind and he was having troubles with his so I put the lead's on my car and he said he'd tell me when to turn it over but the idiot put the lead's the wrong way and when I tried to start it all the dash lit up and went pitch black I jump out knowing it wasn't right to see the cables nearly on fire and I had to call a tow truck! I hoped that a relay or fuse had just gone but it was the ECU that took the punishment!! So I got it checked and the mechanic said 800 to get the ECU sent off and repaired or I get the clocks, locks, key's and ECU from a similar car for around 600 and run the risk of them working and been all from the same car!! So I was desperate for transportation and looked everywhere and whilst looking found a cheap 2.0 2006 4 door with automatic and tectonic gears. So I bought it and my friends all said green cars were unlucky and the first week on the road a woman reversed into the driver side! Twice!! And after repairs I was waiting for someone and a old man in a smart car parked on the other side of the road also managed to reverse straight into the passager side and burst the tyre!! When I tried to change the wheel someone had overtighten the bolts and I rounded off the locking nut!! After a nightmare I got them off and switched the wheels from the other car and the insurance made a right mess spraying the wing and only half the bumper so it was two tone! And the wing hits the door when opened taking paint off and since getting it back the gearbox slips out of gear and doesn't change right!! And during the heat I washed both cars with the hosepipe and the window screen cracked straight across ☹️ The garage hasn't contacted me to fix it and my insurance policy with the company in question ran out. So now I just want to give up on the green one and get my nice reliable one working again. Does anyone know if I can use the ECU clocks locks and keys to make the manual a3s work?? It's same engine type and size. Please please please let me know and advise me as Audi themselves want silly money to repair the burned out ECU and clocks