Bad things in 3's

[S4rcastic]

I've had my car for about a month and I have some issues that need to be addressed.

1. Every time I start the car I get the message and picture for "right parking light"
None of the lights in the front or rear are out, so I don't get it. I read some posts of people who had the same issue, but noone has posted solutions or follow-ups on how they got the problem solved.

2. My passenger front window is having trouble going up.

The last few days I have been hearing a slight rattle from the door area, but haven't been able to locate it. Tonight when I went to put the window up, it made some creaking/grinding noises and stopped. There are 3 spots where the the auto roll-up senses resistance and rolls back down approx 4". If I slowly put the window up about 2" at a time, it will go all the way to the top and stay.

All my Ford/Lincoln cars needed to have the window tracks greased or they would make noises. Eventually the plastic bushings and rollers would wear, causing the window to have "bad spots" in the up and down travel. This car only has 50k miles though, I didn't expect to have an issue like this.

3. I have some kind of grinding noise coming from the front end when turning corners.

The noise is most noticeable when turning slowly with little or no brakes. (Driving through a parking lot, or pulling into a parking space)
At first I chalked it up to tire noise. The tires appear to have only half their treadlife left. At higher speeds, I do not notice the sound above the other road noise.
A quick visual inspection of the rotors and I can see they are worn down about 1/16".
The car does not pull, and braking is smooth and consistent at all speeds.
The noise happens when turning in either direction.

The last thing I took note of that may or may not be important...At highway speeds, I sometimes hear a medium pitch droning hum. Road conditions do not apply. The same noise happens on all different surfaces. Is this normal? I thought it might be the feature that applies slight brake to keep the rotors and pads dry?
Maybe it is just time to replace the front bearings.


So...I plan to visit the dealer Tuesday when I have a day off.
I was planning to drive to Houston later in the day. Would it be best to call and make an appointment so they will have a loaner car for me? Or will they simply inspect things on my first visit, and schedule another day for me to make the actual repairs? I suppose it depends on the extent of the repairs needed.

TIA,
Aaron

[beemercer]

2. My passenger front window is having trouble going up.

The last few days I have been hearing a slight rattle from the door area, but haven't been able to locate it. Tonight when I went to put the window up, it made some creaking/grinding noises and stopped. There are 3 spots where the the auto roll-up senses resistance and rolls back down approx 4". If I slowly put the window up about 2" at a time, it will go all the way to the top and stay.

That sounds very typical of a busted window regulator, I've had my 05 for 7 months and I've had two fail.

[SebringSilver]

3. I have some kind of grinding noise coming from the front end when turning corners.

The noise is most noticeable when turning slowly with little or no brakes. (Driving through a parking lot, or pulling into a parking space)
At first I chalked it up to tire noise. The tires appear to have only half their treadlife left. At higher speeds, I do not notice the sound above the other road noise.
A quick visual inspection of the rotors and I can see they are worn down about 1/16".
The car does not pull, and braking is smooth and consistent at all speeds.
The noise happens when turning in either direction.

I've noticed the exact same condition on my '06 S4. If you figure out what it is, please be so kind as to share your findings with the rest of us.

Thanks.

[Mokes]

That sounds very typical of a busted window regulator, I've had my 05 for 7 months and I've had two fail.

Haha... me too. I have replaced window regulators on both my driver and passenger side windows. Replaced my second one at about 22,000 miles.

[S4rcastic]

Thanks for the replies, I have an appointment for Tuesday at 9am at the dealership.

I'm going to check the bulb connections tonight after work.

I will be sure to post results!

[wahpao]

coilpack coilpack and coilpack

[gjc]

Window Regulators are such a common problem! I've had two as well and only have 40k on my car.

Let us all know about #3 - even tho I doubt you'll find an answer.

[AudiOso]

Man I've been lucky I've had two A4's with high mileage and am on my second S4 and none have eaten a window regulator -- now that I said that watch!!

[EYE4SPEED]

For #1 - check out the connections of the bulb to the socket. Maybe you have some corrosion or build up? Use a greeny scratchy sponge thing to clean them and try it again.

[S4rcastic]

1. I scrubbed and scratched the connections, but still have the light. The bulbs all light and look to be in good condition.
I am going to try again later when I have a little more time.

2. Window regulator...replacement Saturday

3. The guy couldn't hear what I was talking about. A tech is going to drive the car Sat. when I return to fix the regulator. I asked them to inspect the condition of the brakes at the same time.
At first he tried to explain the quattro growl. Then tire noise. It isn't the quattro sound, and I'm confident it isn't tire noise either. All 3 sounds are present at the same time.

Updates as I have them...thanks again for your replies

[Maverick]

quattro growl??? that's complete BS.

it's either your CV joints, tie rods, or the steering column

[S4rcastic]

In the guy's defense, he did use a more articulate explanation.

If I were in his shoes, I probably would have thrown those things out there as well.

I've decided that if they don't hear anything Saturday I'll drop the issue. If parts are wearing out, they will hopefully give another warning before any catasrophic failure. :)

[create]

I've noticed the exact same condition on my '06 S4. If you figure out what it is, please be so kind as to share your findings with the rest of us.

Thanks.

i have that exact same problem..
i hear s4 suspension goes out pretty quick.

i'm getting a new coilovers put in soon so if this is the solution i'll let you know.

[SebringSilver]

i have that exact same problem..
i hear s4 suspension goes out pretty quick.

i'm getting a new coilovers put in soon so if this is the solution i'll let you know.

Thanks a lot! I'm like *this* close to deciding to get rid of the S4, if these little niggling problems keep piling up.

I'd appreciate any info you discover about this problem.

[S4rcastic]

2. Regulator replaced. Problem fixed.

3. "Sound could not be reproduced" Per the invoice after tech inspection.

If parts are wearing out, they will begin to make more noise. Then I will be able to reproduce the sound :)
My concern was and is...if parts are failing any my suspension is causing uneven tire wear etc., the repair costs only climb by waiting.

Then he told me they noticed the right rear tire had uneven wear. Suggested alignment. I assumed that would have been something checked during the CPO inspection. Opted not to do that, thinking about having an independent shop look at the car.

They did offer to flush the power steering fluid for just a bit under $200. I was not sold on that idea either.