What the heck is this?

[philip_g]

Aftermarket alarm shock sensor?

[drewgold]

Didn't have time to explore further today but will try to check it out tomorrow.
Doubtful that it's Bluetooth/nav/alarm as the car came with the basic Symphony II head unit and I haven't noticed any other wiring behind the stereo unit. Previous owner also wasn't the type to do anything aftermarket, even the wiper blades were bought and installed by the dealer. Maybe they wanted to keep an eye on the wife or kids though?

I'll see what I can figure out tomorrow.

[drewgold]

Ok, so did some digging today and got to the bottom of the flashing blue light. Looks like it is a remote starter among possibly other things. The box with the blue LEDs must be the remote antenna and the wire from it ran up behind the fuse box to another large box pictured below. There is also some sort of aftermarket can bus box, additional fuses, etc.

It seems to be quite the elaborate system, there are wires running everywhere under the dash with numerous taps into the factory wiring. In some places it's tough to tell what's factory and what's not. I'm inclined to remove it but it may be more trouble than it's worth, just worried that this stuff could cause electrical gremlins down the road. Other option would be to try and track down a remote for it and see if it works though I have no real use for a remote starter.

What is very strange is that I called the previous owner today to ask about it and see if by chance that they had the remotes. He said that he had no idea that there was a remote starter! I can't believe Audi would sell a car CPO with a system like this still installed. There was only one other owner of my car and he must be the one to have had the system installed. Can't imagine how much it must have cost though, can bus, factory wiring integration and the install alone must have taken a full day. Crazy. It must override the Audi computer as the car is a manual and normally won't start unless the clutch is pressed. Not to mention overriding the need for a chip key in the ignition to start it!






This appears to be the website for the company that makes or installs the system:
https://www.directechs.com/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f

And this is another site with what looks like the same system:
http://power-start.ca/product_info.p...rod_status=all

I'm going to have to do more digging around as there was one wire I couldn't follow. With a system like this, I guess it would make sense to have an immobilizer switch hidden somewhere. That'd be kinda cool.

So thoughts on what I should do?
1. Try and find a remote for the system and see if it still works. If I can't, remove the system. (I don't really need or want a remote starter)
2. Just leave it as is and hope it doesn't cause any problems down the road. Anyone have experience with these systems? Should it be ok if I just ignore it?
3. Other ideas?

Very strange.

[DRAKLORE]

I'm imagining that the remote must be paired with the starter, with that being said I would contact the company with P/N in hand and order a key.
It's the sort of thing that is likely professionally installed and it looks nicely done.
If it hasn't caused issues thus far it probably will be ok.

Not worth removing, and could be handy for you or another owner in the future?
I'm glad to finally know lol

[DRAKLORE]

Also CPO means nothing...
The difference between a CPO and as is car is simply a
Sheet where a flat rate mechanic checks boxes.
I worked as a dealerechanic for years and CPO cars get the same treatment as every other POS that comes through the door. They don't pay more to check wiring under the dash, or to comb over every inch.
Check the tires, yup, engine and fluids... Yup. Any body damage or rust.. Yup, interior still intact.. Yup.. Check for any DTCs.. Which usually consist of simply checking for a CEL... Yup... Lights and horn work.. Yup.. Drive ability test... Yup... And done


I really cannot be any more clear on here.. Just because you got CPO.. Doesn't mean much at all
It paid like .5 and most mechanics would do a 10 minute drive, and 15 minute inspection..

[Black_Pearl_B6]

im willing to bet its remote start and the button is to sync with the keypad....

[Sanjman]

If I found out, I'd either find remotes for it or get it removed. In the second link there are installation instructions, you can probably disassemble after reading how they put it together.

[drewgold]

If I found out, I'd either find remotes for it or get it removed. In the second link there are installation instructions, you can probably disassemble after reading how they put it together.

Saw that, scares me the some OEM wires actually had to be 'cut' but based on the instructions, I'm sure I could reverse the installation if I really wanted to!

[drewgold]

Oh and it does have what looks like a kill switch hidden.
As well as a remote activated 'anti start' switch which overrides both the key and transponder. ie. the car won't start even if you have the chip key! The original owner really wanted to make sure no one stole his baby! wow.

[yeoj112689]

If you take it out... can i have it? :D

[Tenedorr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReUa...ature=youtu.be It looks like what this guy has on his upper left dash. I bet its for the remote starter