Magnet

Hello Grant, Not absolutely certain on this, but I believe the windscreen washers, and headlamp washers share the same fuse. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Bob, but the objective here is to see if they work when the interior has warmed up - but without moving the car, and without trying the indicators before the interior has warmed up. Might be worth having the post to hand before you start the test. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. If my suggested procedure doesn’t give you the result you need, actually disconnect ( in caps) the hard wire you connected in, and test again.

Welcome Cragh, and thanks for joining. If the temperature doesn’t reach normal, leave alone hardly moving, the you can put your money on a failed (open) thermostat. I would take note of Stephen’s comments, and probably entrust the job to an independent -unless you are very good with the spanners. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Christian, Have you removed the parcel shelf to test if the noise goes away? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Neal, Although I can understand you now doubt the compression gauge, I think I recall you mentioning that the engine spins over on the starter as if there isn’t any compression. Anyway, I’m sure you will sort it. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Neal, I can now see that your earlier post about a performance back box - which Steve indicated would cost you £500/£600 - was relating to this same non-running car. Without wishing to be over critical, but you are talking about ‘toys’ on a 19 year old non-running vehicle, when to get it running is likely to cost you in excess of its worth. Personally, I find all of this to be worrying, yet we will aim to offer advice as best we can, as you attempt to progress with this. To me, it smacks of money no object, but….. Please bear in mind that this is my personal view and may/may not be shared with with all on here. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Bob, In your Thursday post, you say you tried my test and they still didn’t work. Can I confirm that you you opened the car, didn’t (in caps) attempt to try the indicators, you let the car tick over for about 15 mins until the interior temperature was up to normal, and only then did you try the indicators-? You say the only change has been to hard wire in a dashcam, and it’s from that point that your issue has occurred. Suggestion:- disconnect the dashcam as a trial. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Neal, Is this for the same vehicle that is a non runner? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Darren, I always find a telephone chat is the best. Personally, I wouldn’t use anything other than LUK/ Sachs. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Darren, Did you speak with LUK Technical -as advised. They should give you a definitive answer on what is available and what isn’t. It wouldn’t surprise me if they are the OE supplier to VAG. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Harry, Well it’s always cheapest option first in my book. Although it would be expected that any 4 year old battery would be completely serviceable, but if our daughter’s just out of new warranty, non-Audi, is anything to go by, then you never know. If it were mine Harry, I would be nipping along to a Halfords store and getting the battery’s efficiency tested. This test would give you a meaningful serviceable/ non serviceable point to progress from. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Neal, Sorry to say it as I (in bold) see it, but I really can’t see any point in concerning yourself with potential ECU issues at this stage - as has been pointed out. The ECU controls the engine, but the engine appears to be unserviceable, so until you repair/replace it, the ECU doesn’t matter. All I can suggest is that if you still consider the ECU to be at fault, then you will need to send it off for specialist assessment - and repair, if found to be faulty. Kind regards, Gareth.

Well let’s put it like this Neil - I think you can forget about the ECU until you have an engine that has adequate compression. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. What is the history of this car, and its mode of failure?

Hello Neal, As Cliff says, you can forget about something as ‘simple’ as the head gasket. Head gaskets can blow between a cylinder and a waterway, or even between the cylinders themselves. Would all cylinders blow between each other, or would every cylinder be blowing across to coolant - no chance. My theory:- the chain/belt has jumped, the valves have contacted the pistons and bent the valve stems, resulting in valves being unable to close - hence no compression. Sorry to bring bad news to the door, but it sounds like stripping the head off ( then you will indeed have to change your head gasket). Examine valves and their stems, cams and camshaft, piston crowns, and conrods for potential distortion. If you look at it from the point that if this engine was only running at just over tick over - say 1000 revs. per minute when the belt/chain jumped, you can calculate the number of times the engine would have turned over in just one second - enough to do considerable damage. To be honest Neil, I think the last thing you need to be worried about is diagnosed codes. Surely it just too old to consider it an economical repair. Did you buy it super cheap? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Steve, Does the battery perform its function even though not yet coded? Have you tried an Audi independent? Kind regards, Gareth.

‘Definitely in Park’ - as in Park, but jiggled to ensure it’s securely in??

Did you buy it on EBay from a Halfords site Stephen? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Matt, You will need to try a mild ‘cutting’ polish, and although I haven’t used the polish you mention, it sounds worth a try. It really is a suck it and see exercise, trying the mildest cutting polish first, and only resorting to a more abrasive one if the first one doesn’t work. It might be worth searching out a local recommended car valeting chap - these folks will no doubt have experience to offer/ will be able to sort it for you. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Gavin, Can we take it your Q7 is an automatic? If so - on the basis of simple eliminations - I just wonder if it’s possible to double check if it’s ‘firmly’ in Park. Pardon my ignorance with your particular model, so I’m not really sure that what I’ve just said is actually practical or not - for example, I have a non-Audi which has a rotational drive selector that lowers on switch off, so I can not ensure it fully rotates to Park. Just a thought Gavin. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tony, In addition to Stevey Y’s advice:- Keep searching EBay - both U.K. and particularly Continent. Pay a visit to Smiths, and make a note of all relevant classic car publications, and place wanted ads in all of those. Register your ‘want’ on on-line breaker links such as Partsfinder (there are more). Long shot, but everything is. Do a Google search for Classic car panels, and you should also come up with specialist panel repairers. Not wanting to frighten you, but for wings, and particularly repairing panels, your wallet is likely to be offended. Good luck with your searches. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks for joining Gavin, Regrettably, the original poster appears to have joined the forum, posted his plea for help, and never even returned to view any responses. Good, isn’t it!? You could try sending him a PM in the hope he is still using the same e-mail address, but you could also list full details of your issue, and see what responses we get. Kind regards, Gareth.

So you need the dealership to keep it overnight and test when cold.

Hello Maris, I don’t see why the 5 door would differ from the 3 door. Would I be right in thinking you are looking to buy a secondhand one? Door locks obviously take a hammering, and you could end up with the buying-your-own- faulty-one syndrome. Aren’t there any aftermarket ones about? Kind regards, Gareth.

Just keep at it Omar, and don’t concern yourself about it too much - they have to fix it permanently (in caps). It might be worth leaving them keep it, and you have a courtesy car. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks indeed Greg, and welcome to the forum, and your kind comments are very much appreciated - it does mean a lot. Your car really does look to be a fine example. Just keep in touch if you think there is anything else we can help with. Kind regards, Gareth.