Help, need help!

[Dannydyn]

So finally, after LONG 7 weeks to the day I crashed my S4, I finally got my beloved S4 back. I had the pleasure of enjoying her for exactly 24 hours before I got this &#@$#%$& alert in my dash.

Long story short, as part of the accident repair process, the car has been to Audi numerous times for computer re-flushes (to get all the accident errors out of the ECU, re-arm the airbags, etc.). It turns out, there is something seriously screwed up electronically with the car.

While at Audi, the car has experienced battery losing power (and not holding charge) – battery replaced with a new one, seat belt and airbag error codes, and lastly – this goddamn steering error, which they couldn't seem to get rid of. This past Wednesday, I finally got a call from the body shop telling me that all the problems have been resolved, that they have the car back from Audi, and it is ready to be picked up. I was ecstatic to say to least, after long 7 weeks without it.

I picked her up on Wednesday night, drove home, and to work the following morning. Car looks and drives great. At some point during my morning drive, I saw a quick alert flashing in the dash, reading “Steering Defective!”, followed by “You can continue to drive”. It was a quick flash, and went away, so I figured it was some glitch. Then last night, after work, I pulled into a gas station to get gas, topped it off, got back into the car, hit the Start button – nothing. Car won’t start. I got a long beep sound and the following alerts showed up in the dash….. 30 minutes later, the car was on a flatbed, back to the dealer….

Considering the dealer had already encountered this error while they had the car, but didn't really get rid of it, I have a feeling they will be working on it for a while, trying to figure out WTF is causing it. Has anyone encountered this problem? I did a search, and came up with one guy in Germany (2-3 yr. old thread) having the same alert (if I understand correctly), and it turned out to be a bad steering column. Anyone else? Just trying to gather some bones to throw at my local dealer’s service dept. in an attempt to help them figure out what’s causing it.

TIA

[infinkc]

Man that sucks, thats one crazy error. My guess since its all electric power steering, there is a fault somewhere in that chain.

[shadycrew31]

Most likely got a short somewhere, or something along those lines. Most of the time shops don't replace the entire harness if it gets cut pinched etc, they solder the connection.

They will need to run a continuity test on each pin on the ECU and trace out the wiring to find the short. Or what they will most likely do is remove all the panels and order a new harness.

[levigarrett]

It may be hard to get anything answered here on AZ at the moment. The entire board is arguing or a the very least terminally distracted by West over on the 6MT thread.

Never seen or heard of that CEL and message but I bet someone here will have some insight. What a PITA.

[B8 S FOR]

Damn!!!!! I WOULD LAWYER UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Epixman]

Guess it's true, the car will never be the same after a crash!


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[MrFunk]

That sucks man. I"m not sure what anyone here can do - electrical issues are the most difficult... I'd push for an entire new harness and new steering system.

Truth - a car is never the same after an accident.

[mact3333]

hate to say it but it prob never will be the same again...gotta try for diminished value...if leased, you just suck it up until lease up and turn the damn thing in.

[jran76]

Sad to see that 13xx on the odometer, and to see all you've been through. Agree with others, either a short somewhere or something is physically damaged in the steering column.

[drob23]

Ugh, no one here can likely help unfortunately. Just press them to replace things, not just clear codes or replace batteries.

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[Buckeye_S4]

Unfortunately most dealers can only handle "repairs" that are spelled out step by step for them in a manual. Anything out of the ordinary or requiring any thought and they'll have to call in a real tech from Audi.

[drob23]

Also, I would highly recommend grabbing a VCDS tool so you can scan for actual error codes rather than reading warning messages in the dash. Keep a history of these scans, so you can see what/if anything is being fixed.

And buckeye is right, dealerships are paid to replace parts (based on error codes), not diagnose your problem with deductive reasoning.

[Jango3434]

It may be hard to get anything answered here on AZ at the moment. The entire board is arguing or a the very least terminally distracted by West over on the 6MT thread.

Never seen or heard of that CEL and message but I bet someone here will have some insight. What a PITA.

+1
Always West the thread derailer...

[levigarrett]

+1
Always West the thread derailer...

This place wouldn't be the same without him. It's odd because some times I read his stuff and it makes total sense. Sometimes he seems like he might actually be a really smart guy. Then, he does what he does and I have to start all over. But, it's free so wtf...

[name.goes.here]

If the dealer already encountered the error, they clearly failed to remedy the issue and is more likely an electronic issue as opposed to a mechanical one. Before you rush to trade in for an Avant (just kidding!) is there another dealer you could try? Good luck.

[Daily Driver]

Oh man, I'm sorry to hear this. I've been following this story... I hope they are able to diagnose it - and fix it! - soon.

[Dannydyn]

Quick update: yesterday after work I stopped by the dealer to see what they managed to come up with. The rep said they located a faulty power distribution module at the back of the car which was sending the whole electricity distribution to the front of the car haywire. He also said they couldn't start the car after it sat on their lot overnight - battery drained again.

They spent the whole latter part of Friday running scans and retesting everything. He believes that that power module was the culprit. After replacing the module, power was restored to the front of the car. Also, no errors were coming up when scanning the ECU. They believe there's nothing wrong with the steering system, but rather the error I was experiencing, was a byproduct of the faulty power module. I don't know much about electronics, but whatever, I'll buy it.

He asked to keep the car over the weekend and into Monday, to run further scans, and take it on a few test drives to make sure nothing else (re)surfaces. Hopefully, that's the end of this saga, I can get my baby back on Monday, and finally start enjoying it.

Wish me luck...


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[name.goes.here]

Good luck!

[santos.]

Hang in there man!

[drob23]

Sounds like a reasonable culprit for your problems, glad they made what sounds like good progress. Looking forward to NOT seeing this thread bumped once you get it back