B7 = electronic problems

[debussy]

Was wondering if anyone had these problems as well and knew the fix:

Recently my e-brake light has been blinking (in the gauge cluster) and beeping every so often. My e-brake is obviously not up when it does this. Also, it does this randomly, and regardless of what gear/speed/terrain i'm on/etc.

Also, my trunk no longer opens fromt he latch located on the driver's side door or from the latch on the trunk. I can only open my trunk using my key fob.

2 too many problems. My car is a completely stock (b7a4mtq).

Thank you in advance for any insight.

Tim

[DeMOROlized]

E-brake light is most likely caused by low brake fluid.

As for opening trunk, check to make sure you don't have the trunk lock in valet mode (I think that's what it's called). See manual for more info.

[audia420turbo]

yea the trunk is like that casue its locked thats how i keep mine and i dunno bout ebreak

[pyrobecks]

Mine started doing this, e-brake light would come on, blink 3 or four times while making a beeping sound then it would go away. It seems to only do this when making hard to med right turns. It is going in for unrelated service but I will have them check it out.

[nadroj81]

it is deff brake fluid. Mine had been doing that whenever I would be getting sideways, 90mph off ramps or launching hard. Fixed as soon as brake fluid was added.

[hoking]

def brake fluid...

[A4_cabrio]

It'd also check for any brake fluid leaks. Not very normal to have to add brake fluid liquid.

[pyrobecks]

Well my car was going in for service anyway today and my service advisor had the following to say.... The light is coming on because of low brake fluid, and this is normal because it is synthetic and it can be used up. But also you will need to replace your front pads soon as they are low and most likely the front brake indicator light will come on in a day or too.

How long can I except pads to last, I know driving style depends. But I'm trying to determine if the pads will need replacing soon.... and also if I should do the pads myself.

[Quattro4mage]

The light is coming on because of low brake fluid, and this is normal because it is synthetic and it can be used up.

Absolute bullsh!t !! Brake fluid, synthetic or not, does not get used up. Its a closed hydraulic system. I am constantly amazed at the BS that Audi service advisors shovel at their clients.

In a perfect world the system should come full from the factory and the level naturally gets lower as the pads wear because the brake caliper piston(s) must be pushed farther to make the pads contact the rotor (read: hydraulically, the piston is being pushed farther by the fluid and therefore requires more fluid to accomplish the same thing). Usually over the life of a set of pads the level MIGHT get low enough to set off the low fluid sensor.

[Quattro4mage]

Sorry did not finish. As A4_Cabrio said, it is highly unusual to have to add brake fluid. Personally, I would just add fluid and keep an eye on it. If it does go low again, there is a leak.

Lets also not forget the clutch shares the same fluid. When checking for leaks make sure to check the clutch master. slave cylinders as well.

[gophaster]

If they filled the fluid and the light is now turned off there is No Reason the light should come on again in a "day or two", unless you have a leak which I seriously doubt. Your pads are probably just very low and should be replaced soon. How many miles do you have? Changing pads is generally a pretty easy diy.

[pyrobecks]

If they filled the fluid and the light is now turned off there is No Reason the light should come on again in a "day or two", unless you have a leak which I seriously doubt. Your pads are probably just very low and should be replaced soon. How many miles do you have? Changing pads is generally a pretty easy diy.

The light that the service advisor was refering to that would come on in a few days would be the one indicading low front pads, because he said 'in a few days the pads will wear down to the sensor.' AS for the fluid being used up, I thought the same thing, kinda funny. They also told me the same thing about the power steering fluid.

Almost 17,000 miles and I'm a spirited driver... so I am assuming my pads will need replacing soon.

I was just going to go with OEM pads, but saw that ECS offers some OE replacement pads for the front. Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks.

[A4_cabrio]

Maybe, the way the braking system was designed was that - when almost down to the brake pads sensors the brake fluid level goes down to the point you get the warning to add more braking fluid. Especially since you were saying that the light was turning on and off - it means it was barely under the min.

But if that is the case it means when you put new pads and with the brake fluid now at level - you may overflow.

Regardless you have to change your pads soon - I thought at least a set was covered by the free maintenance. If not - I wouldnt get OEM ones anymore.

I'd go with some ceramic brake pads. I dont have a good answer right now since I havent looked for a new set of pads.
But when the time comes to change the pads - I'd also replace the brake fluid with Valvoline SynPower. It was recommended by local Audi enthuziasts that sometime track their cars.

[VMRWheels]

I've found that there are many pads which are better than OEM in terms of performance, life, and rotor wear. seems like oem pads like to dust a LOT and wear out pretty fast if hard braking is done just every now and then... I've had good experiences with Axxis and EBC pads before...

http://pics.velocitymotoring.com/forum/wbanner.jpg