2013 Steering Issues VAG COM Fix?

[Moxnix]

Not sure if this is on this thread elsewhere but this has worked for me. Its too simple but,
Disabled DSR.
Car drives better but sometimes reverts to bad behaviour. When it does I drive 1-2 MPH , make sure there is enough room and then turn the car lock to lock. Sounds stupid I know. I hold it at each lock for a second or so. Car recalibrates itself and imo and drives much better. I have read that it is part of the steering repair or major mechanical work on the steering. I do it driving slowly so as not to add extra stress on the components of course. Before you laugh give it try

[Jay337]

Hi guys, I did this vag-com mod 2 weeks ago on my SQ5. So far so good the car drive better.

BUT

I was scanning the car today and found an error code on my ABS module - ESP module fault coding( something like that).

I put back DSR on and the ABS module fault code was gone...

does anyone of you has a ABS module code fault when you deactivate the DSR ?

[CrownSeven]

Hi guys, I did this vag-com mod 2 weeks ago on my SQ5. So far so good the car drive better.

BUT

I was scanning the car today and found an error code on my ABS module - ESP module fault coding( something like that).

I put back DSR on and the ABS module fault code was gone...

does anyone of you has a ABS module code fault when you deactivate the DSR ?

I also had the fault code on my 2013 s4. Could not get rid of it. Not sure if that diminishes the effects off turning off the DSR.

[Jay337]

Ok sounds good... I can confirm that it is related. I tried multiple time to put dsr on and off... And when its on I have the fault code poping.



Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

[Franky_d]

Hi guys, I did this vag-com mod 2 weeks ago on my SQ5. So far so good the car drive better.
BUT
I was scanning the car today and found an error code on my ABS module - ESP module fault coding( something like that).
I put back DSR on and the ABS module fault code was gone...
does anyone of you has a ABS module code fault when you deactivate the DSR ?

On my previous Q5 FL I felt steering was more firm with the original roof bars on (roof bars came together with the car). There is a sensor in the car recognizing when roof bars are on (i believe the magnet is built into the front bar on driver;s side) and it is changing driving mode a bit to counteract higher centre of gravity. This system was described by Audi, mentioning that modes of ESP, ABS, etc change accordingly. I do not remember if steering was mentioning, but i did feel change in steering as well.
Try driving with the roof bars (or just the front one alone) on and let us know! :)

On my new A4 FL i feel that steering similarly becomes firmer with a trailer attached. It makes sense that with a trailer attached the car may have different way of ESP, ABS, etc performance, including steering.
I have a detachable towbar with the electrical socket hiding under the rear bumper. One can probably make a trailer stimulator (socket with resistors in it) connected into the socket under the bumper (which the car will recognize as a trailer connected and thus switch steering into "trailer mode") -- to provide improved steering all the time rather that only when trailer is connected. :)

[Jay337]

On my previous Q5 FL I felt steering was more firm with the original roof bars on (roof bars came together with the car). There is a sensor in the car recognizing when roof bars are on (i believe the magnet is built into the front bar on driver;s side) and it is changing driving mode a bit to counteract higher centre of gravity. This system was described by Audi, mentioning that modes of ESP, ABS, etc change accordingly. I do not remember if steering was mentioning, but i did feel change in steering as well.
Try driving with the roof bars (or just the front one alone) on and let us know! :)

On my new A4 FL i feel that steering similarly becomes firmer with a trailer attached. It makes sense that with a trailer attached the car may have different way of ESP, ABS, etc performance, including steering.
I have a detachable towbar with the electrical socket hiding under the rear bumper. One can probably make a trailer stimulator (socket with resistors in it) connected into the socket under the bumper (which the car will recognize as a trailer connected and thus switch steering into "trailer mode") -- to provide improved steering all the time rather that only when trailer is connected. :)

funny that you talk about the roofbar.. I have it on the car since a week or so :P

you are right btw !!

[Franky_d]

you are right btw !!

It would be nice if more folks can check and verify if they also feel the difference! :)

[Mikodipo]

Just finished reading the entire thread and wanted to share the issue I've been having with my 2015 Q5. I've been having this weird steering issue which I can't tell if it is the slip that people have been talking about but for me, there was a vagueness in my steering only on right turns. It felt like it was overboosted on right turns/lane changes that I felt very disconnected and had no feedback from steering. On left turns or lane changes, I immediately feel resistance right after the 12 o'clock point which is what I hope to feel on my right turns.

Kept bringing it back to the dealer and they kept saying there was nothing wrong but did an alignment since my steering wheel was crooked. The problem was still there.

There was such a disconnected and inconsistent feeling that I was ready to sell my car. Decided to buy the vag-com cable to disable the DSR. I instantly felt the difference in the weighting of the steering and now have positive feedback on both right and left turns. I've only driven about 100 miles so far so I'm hoping it stays that way.

Was I feeling the slip that was mentioned?

[moophone]

Two questions:
1. Is this possible from on onboard hidden menu? I can't seem to access the hidden menu on my b8.5 by pressing and holding car+menu. nothing happens. I assume I'll need to get the VCDS for this
2. Does this tweak work if you dont have the dynamic steering option?

[Oloung1]

Two questions:
1. Is this possible from on onboard hidden menu? I can't seem to access the hidden menu on my b8.5 by pressing and holding car+menu. nothing happens. I assume I'll need to get the VCDS for this
2. Does this tweak work if you dont have the dynamic steering option?

1: just confirmed no, its not accessible via hidden menu, you will need to access via VCDS. http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post11154457
2: it should, i haven't turned off the Driver Steering Recommendation on mine yet.

[SportVier]

Apologies if this was answered already, but has anyone been able to get a dealer service department to disable DSR?

[SportVier]

Anyone? No one?

[SteveYem]

Anyone? No one?

I have not, but I would venture a guess to say they will not do it because VAG considers it to be a "safety feature".

[SportVier]

^Thank you for the ventured guess.

[SteveYem]

^Thank you for the ventured guess.

Sure thing. My guess is based on my wife having recently taken her 2015 GTI in for service and asking them to disable the hill hold assist feature (she really doesn't like it at all) and the VW dealer refused to do it because it is a 'safety feature'. I imagine DSR would be viewed similarly.

[jokingjimmy]

Sure thing. My guess is based on my wife having recently taken her 2015 GTI in for service and asking them to disable the hill hold assist feature (she really doesn't like it at all) and the VW dealer refused to do it because it is a 'safety feature'. I imagine DSR would be viewed similarly.

Yep. If it's in the states it becomes a liability issue. For example, if an owner were to get into a serious accident and the lawyer reviews the service records (which is more likely than not) and sees an alteration to the factory steering controls like disabling DSR, you can bet your bottom dollar that dealer would be in trouble. Again, assumption, but a very likely possibility.

[HeymyAudi]

Doing this tonight.. Will report how it drives...

[Moxnix]

Anyone? No one?

Hi there, I have read that there are guys on this thread where their dealers may help in this area but mine wouldn't. Quite the opposite. They reset it to the default after a service and you have to disable it again with Vagcom or maybe a friend that has it. You could ask? I don't think it is a "safety" concern. My car drives much better with it off but it does cause other codes to appear which are more what the techs call "nuisance" codes. Look troubling but mean little.

[Brother Owl]

I have an appointment on the 10th and will be asking about disabling this... we shall see

[mgiglio]

Been following this thread for a while. I disabled the DSR on my car upon first hearing about it. It made a noticeable difference, wouldn't say vagueness in the steering went away but it was drastically less.

No one has touched upon this but I think tires have a lot to do with this as well. My car came with the conti sport contact 3's. I've never liked continental tires as I've felt they wander on broken pavement and they generally contribute to a vague steering feel. I've since made the switch to Michelin Pilot Sport a/S 3's and the difference is night and day. The steering is much more responsive and I feel none of the wandering/vague steering and drifting issues which I've had before.

I'd be willing to bet that most of us who have this steering issue are riding on Conti Sport Contact 3 tires. Chime in if you have these tires or have had them but since switched.

[Moxnix]

My car has the conti "contact pro" on it and I agree tires make a huge difference but I don't believe the issues most on this thread have are from the tires. For instance my car now drives like a bear with the orig tires, DSR disabled and the occasional lock to lock stunt I pull when the steering feels funky again. Don't forget, 2013 is the first year of the electric steering for the A4 (my dealer told me S4 owner could still specify hydraulic at the time) so I have my money on that. I think the original theme of this thread was "Notchiness" which was the steering wheel itself actually feeling, for lack of a better word "stuck" in the centerline position and requiring more than normal force to move it right or left at which point it would kinda break free and then require a lotta corrections to maintain the vehicle in a straight line. Well at least that was one of the original complaints. If you are happy with the new tires please keep posting about them as I am looking for a new set soon myself and always open to suggestions. I will look into them

[Moxnix]

That's sort of the feeling mine had as well after the dealer tried to correct my notchiness problem. When i got it back it had a similar feel to what you describe where i had to fight the wheel a bit and it required a lot of corrections just to maintain a straight course on the best of roads. Mine is a 2013 A4 so its disturbing that they haven't addressed this and people still have to buy the cable to make their car drive well. I too was ready to sell mine at 3/4 K and take the beating it was so annoying. Good thing is you can do a lot with that cable if you do your own work plus my kid just bought a GTI so it works out well. Seriously though, i posted elsewhere here that I found that turning the wheel lock to lock every now and then makes a difference on mine.

[Loe]

i did this on my 2014, it doesn't have the notchiness at any part of the steering wheel angles, however it would occasionally feel like the steering system was fighting my corrections, even when trying to hold a steady line down a straight road. I actually didn't think anything of it, until I disabled this feature a couple days ago.

The steering gain is smooth, accurate, and weighting feels more natural. I don't have to correct a steering system that wants to self correct going down a straight road. I never noticed how terrible the steering was prior until I did this mod. It's subtle, but to the point of where you do let out a sigh of relief directly after you drive it (like an a-ha! moment).

[Moxnix]

i did this on my 2014, it doesn't have the notchiness at any part of the steering wheel angles, however it would occasionally feel like the steering system was fighting my corrections, even when trying to hold a steady line down a straight road. I actually didn't think anything of it, until I disabled this feature a couple days ago.

The steering gain is smooth, accurate, and weighting feels more natural. I don't have to correct a steering system that wants to self correct going down a straight road. I never noticed how terrible the steering was prior until I did this mod. It's subtle, but to the point of where you do let out a sigh of relief directly after you drive it (like an a-ha! moment).

Had the same issue with it not keeping a straight line and constant correction to centerline. The DSR definetly helped but after long highway driving some behaviour would return. Thats when I pullover, turn the wheel lock to lock and i am back in business. Good luck to you and lets hope the DSR disable does the trick.

[jokingjimmy]

Been following this thread for a while. I disabled the DSR on my car upon first hearing about it. It made a noticeable difference, wouldn't say vagueness in the steering went away but it was drastically less.

No one has touched upon this but I think tires have a lot to do with this as well. My car came with the conti sport contact 3's. I've never liked continental tires as I've felt they wander on broken pavement and they generally contribute to a vague steering feel. I've since made the switch to Michelin Pilot Sport a/S 3's and the difference is night and day. The steering is much more responsive and I feel none of the wandering/vague steering and drifting issues which I've had before.

I'd be willing to bet that most of us who have this steering issue are riding on Conti Sport Contact 3 tires. Chime in if you have these tires or have had them but since switched.

I switched to Mich A/S 3 from the OEM Contis. The ride is quieter, but i would say the performance is not noticeably better or worse. It's about the same. Basically great performance without the noise and wear issues. The Michs last much longer.

That being said I didn't notice any real difference between the Contis and Michs at speed. It's definitely that lame DRS. Hate it. I haven't done the VAG mod yet, for what that is worth. Waiting for access to a VAG-COM.

[Loe]

I switched to Mich A/S 3 from the OEM Contis. The ride is quieter, but i would say the performance is not noticeably better or worse. It's about the same. Basically great performance without the noise and wear issues. The Michs last much longer.

That being said I didn't notice any real difference between the Contis and Michs at speed. It's definitely that lame DRS. Hate it. I haven't done the VAG mod yet, for what that is worth. Waiting for access to a VAG-COM.

I'll be out in west palm beach sunday - weds if you need any VAG-COM assistance.

[Danny2323]

I wanted to bump this to the top, just in case there's anyone that hasn't tried the DSR delete yet. If you're like me, you find the random hunting and vague steering horrible on your S4. There are particular uneven sections in my daily drive, and my car would shoot in random directions on it's own.

I eliminated the DSR via VAG-COM this past weekend. What an amazing change! I immediately set out to the uneven sections of road to test it out. Dead straight. The steering has a very slight heavier feeling, and is much more stable at highway speeds. No vague feeling, and no random pulling to either side. It's still electric steering, so it doesn't have the immediate feedback of a good hydraulic system (I'm coming from an Evo IX), but it's quite a bit better than before.

Eliminating the DSR, combined with the CR-15 and AK, has given me the steering I've been looking for. I updated each incrementally. First the CR-15, then DSR delete, then the AK. Each mod had a subtle benefit upon the previous mod, and combined, the steering is vastly improved over stock.

If you dislike the vague steering, and haven't tried unchecking the stupid DSR, you should give it a try. Like everyone else, I got the ABS module fault code. It doesn't appear to cause any problems for my car.

[S4Flyer]

Posting for posterity, here. I had noticed the tramline effect ever since taking delivery of my car. I had always thought it was road surface imperfections causing the wheel to turn sharply at time, and after reading this thread I noticed that I'd become accustomed to fighting the wheel most of the time. Kinda funny, too, because when most people would post about how disconnected the electric steering feels to them, I always though it provided too much feedback. Turns out the "feedback" was really just the DSR acting out.

As I'm just about to swap out the factory Contis for Mich PSS's, I disabled DSR last night. Wow. Night and day. The car doesn't fight me anymore, but to be honest, I also notice that I have to pay closer attention to where I'm going. I think I've also become accustomed to the marginal benefits the system provides. I'm gonna leave it off though.

The only thing I fight now is traffic. Thanks for posting, can't believe I dealt with this for over a year.

[pdqgp]

Been following this thread for a while. I disabled the DSR on my car upon first hearing about it. It made a noticeable difference, wouldn't say vagueness in the steering went away but it was drastically less.

No one has touched upon this but I think tires have a lot to do with this as well. My car came with the conti sport contact 3's. I've never liked continental tires as I've felt they wander on broken pavement and they generally contribute to a vague steering feel. I've since made the switch to Michelin Pilot Sport a/S 3's and the difference is night and day. The steering is much more responsive and I feel none of the wandering/vague steering and drifting issues which I've had before.

I'd be willing to bet that most of us who have this steering issue are riding on Conti Sport Contact 3 tires. Chime in if you have these tires or have had them but since switched.

Agree 100%. My PSS's have been on for two weeks now and I am so happy to be back on them. The stock Contis on mine were good up to about 15k then they began getting worn, noisy and overll just never handled like the tires on an S4 should.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[S4Flyer]

Agree 100%. My PSS's have been on for two weeks now and I am so happy to be back on them. The stock Contis on mine were good up to about 15k then they began getting worn, noisy and overll just never handled like the tires on an S4 should.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

So did you ever disable DSR? I'm at end of life with my Conti's, and disabling DSR made a big difference in steering behavior.

I'm putting PSS's on this weekend, and may turn DSR back on afterward just to test.

Guess it's possible some tires bring out the worst in DSR.

[pdqgp]

So did you ever disable DSR? I'm at end of life with my Conti's, and disabling DSR made a big difference in steering behavior.

I'm putting PSS's on this weekend, and may turn DSR back on afterward just to test.

Guess it's possible some tires bring out the worst in DSR.

No. I've not ever turned it off. Haven't had an issue like many here have. Nothing I've noticed anyway. The problem I had is that I've had Pilots on my previous cars and I miss their handling characteristics

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[mgiglio]

Disabled the DSR a year or so ago and it was a little better. Just brought my car in today for the notchy steering. The issue is definitely worse when the car is cold. I already got a call back from the SA that they couldn't find anything wrong with the car....I asked them to please drive again and take attention to when going from a 2 o clock position back to a 12 position while traveling at speed in a turn. We will see what they say but I have a feeling they're going to think I'm crazy!

[jokingjimmy]

Disabled the DSR a year or so ago and it was a little better. Just brought my car in today for the notchy steering. The issue is definitely worse when the car is cold. I already got a call back from the SA that they couldn't find anything wrong with the car....I asked them to please drive again and take attention to when going from a 2 o clock position back to a 12 position while traveling at speed in a turn. We will see what they say but I have a feeling they're going to think I'm crazy!

My suggestion is to ride with them when they do the test so you can duplicate it. It's the only way I've been able to get service departments to understand issues...

[SVG]

Disabled DSR yesterday and it made a very noticeable difference. Steering feels much better now.

[tarantola_it]

I have a 2012 Audi A5 Coupè S-Line, 177cv with ADS, this week with rain and cold the problem steering looks a lot more.
I run all of AUDI updates , dieselgate,sterring......
I wanted to disable the DSR, reading all the pages of foum I did not understand some things ....
1 ...> I need some security code?
2 ...> with the Abs anomaly I will have some kind of impact on my safety?
3 ...> I can reactivate the DSR without historicity of anomalies or defects?

Thanks so much

[tarantola_it]

It is four days that it rains, last night I disabled the DSR, the problem has improved slightly, but it is always there ..... I think it is the poor adhesion of the tire that creates this strange behavior

[tarantola_it]

Hi, dear friends....
can anyone tell me what is the latest software and where i can search on VCDS the release?
In my car i have:
ddress 44: Steering Assist (J500)
Labels: 8K0-909-144.clb
Part No SW: 8K0 909 144 F
HW: 8K0 909 144 B
Component: RCEPS H36 0507 Revision: 00001000 Serial number: 0023148471

ps. i have change the wheel position and use ADS Confort setting.... the situation has improved significantly......
Best Regards

[razvanfcs]

Hello,
Please help me, I have this error in VCDS (B2000 49 [137] Internal electronic failure) and on display the message > Steering sistem fault. You can continue to drive.

[razvanfcs]

My car is Audi A4, 2.0 TDI, 100kW, 2012,

[KRp220]

sorry in advance for the long post... can't get the format of the text to read any closer together...
anyway, below is a scan of what i think is the most pertinent parts of a VagCom scan that was done last night.

My steering feels floaty and i feel like the car tramlines on teh highway and is uneasy over crowed and uneven roads. After reading the majority of this thread and severl others, i contacted a local member with vagcom to disable DSR. this scan was done AFTER we disabled it but the car feels 95% the same. from what i can see, it looks like i have the newest steering rack but i could be wrong. i contacted my local audi dealership and asked about the 48K8 update and they had no idea what i was talking about.

looking for any sort of insight you guys can provide.
build date: 2/7/2013
lowered on KW HAS
Mich PSS 255/35/19 19x8.5 et 30
aligned within the last 6 weeks

thanks!

VIN: WAUDGAFL1DA201214 Mileage: 44140km-27427miles



01-Engine -- Status: OK 0000

03-ABS Brakes -- Status: Malfunction 0010

04-Steering Angle -- Status: OK 0000

05-Acc/Start Auth. -- Status: OK 0000

08-Auto HVAC -- Status: OK 0000

09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: OK 0000

15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000

16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000

17-Instruments -- Status: OK 0000

19-CAN Gateway -- Status: Malfunction 0010

22-AWD -- Status: OK 0000

36-Seat Mem. Drvr -- Status: OK 0000

42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000

44-Steering Assist -- Status: OK 0000

46-Central Conv. -- Status: OK 0000

52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: OK 0000

53-Parking Brake -- Status: OK 0000

56-Radio -- Status: OK 0000

5F-Information Electr. -- Status: Malfunction 0010

62-Door, Rear Left -- Status: OK 0000

6C-Back-up Cam. -- Status: OK 0000

72-Door, Rear Right -- Status: OK 0000

A9-Struct. Borne Sound -- Status: Cannot be reached 1100


ddress 03: ABS Brakes (J104) Labels: 8K0-907-379-V1.clb

Part No SW: 8K0 907 379 CK HW: 8K0 907 379 CK

Component: ESP8 quattro H09 0100

Revision: -------- Serial number: --------------

Coding: 281D1A

Shop #: WSC 06325 000 00000

VCID: 04078C04873C6F61CD-8050



1 Fault Found:

01044 - Control Module Incorrectly Coded

000 - -

Freeze Frame:

Fault Status: 01100000

Fault Priority: 3

Fault Frequency: 1

Reset counter: 100

Mileage: 44147 km

Time Indication: 0

Date: 2017.05.17

Time: 18:41:34



Freeze Frame:

Hex Value: 0x00C0

Hex Value: 0x0022

Hex Value: 0x1215

Hex Value: 0x1095

Hex Value: 0x0000



Address 19: CAN Gateway (J533) Labels: 8T0-907-468.clb

Part No SW: 8R0 907 468 N HW: 8R0 907 468 C

Component: GW-BEM 4CAN-M H11 0055

Revision: 1Y060027 Serial number: 2741Y13122004F

Coding: 80C303FF00

Shop #: WSC 06325 000 00000

VCID: 4A9B623CE598791177-801E



Subsystem 1 - Part No SW: 8T0 915 181 HW: 8T0 915 181

Component: J367-BDMHella H03 8041

Serial number: 4207949001



1 Fault Found:

03619 - Control Module for Structural Accoustics

004 - No Signal/Communication

Freeze Frame:

Fault Status: 01100100

Fault Priority: 2

Fault Frequency: 1

Reset counter: 75

Mileage: 42910 km

Time Indication: 0

Date: 2017.05.10

Time: 10:51:39



Freeze Frame:

Bin. Bits: 11111

Voltage: 14.50 V

Count: 6

Bin. Bits: 00000

Time: 25.40 s

Address 44: Steering Assist (J500) Labels: 8K0-909-144.clb

Part No SW: 8K0 909 144 F HW: 8K0 909 144 B

Component: RCEPS H37 0507

Revision: 00001000 Serial number: 0013185452

Coding: 000000010001

Shop #: WSC 06324 000 00000

ASAM Dataset: EV_RCEPSAU48X 008014

ROD: EV_RCEPSAU48X_008.rod

VCID: 34671CC49F1C1FE13D-8060



No fault code found.