New Audi A4 Owner 3.0 technical questions/advice

[keeko785]

Vehicle is a 2003 audi a4 3.0 Liter 180k Miles

Ok to start off, I did a search on youtube and a search on this forum before posting.

1: Headlight washer won't activate. I followed a youtube video how to test, turn headlights on, turn brights on, activate washer. Did not work, neither popped up. Where to go next? Should I pull out and apply 20-25psi air to them to see if they pop up? Are these even worth fixing?

2: Heated washer fluid. I normally install these on all my vehicles, but I read this vehicle already has one. How do I test? Is there a reservoir that I can test temp in?

3: Dome light doesn't turn on when drivers door opens but does when all other doors open, with this broken the "headlights left on chime" doesn't work either. I have changed out door pins on older 90's pickups but they were extremely obvious. Where is it? Where can I test it ect.

4: headlights, are not automatic. Has anyone installed an auto headlight kit. I have installed these in the past made by Directed electronics(small sensor you mount on the dash and turns on headlights at dusk/off at dawn, does anyone have a better option that they have used?

5: Fuel. I have owned a 04 range rover for 9 years, always put 87 octane in it no problems. The owners manual recommends 91 octane or higher.

6: keys, I am probably going to permanently bypass the transponder chip in the key, might go keyless push button or might get a second key ordered. I found a company that you can send a picture to and they will make a new key blank for you, but in order to program another transponder(if I don't perm bypass transponder) does anyone have any recommendations?

7: Vehicle startup, I noticed a smell of exhaust at startup but goes away after driving about 100 yards or so. I am going to change out the cabin filter this week, but this should not be normal, I would say if I installed a carbon monoxide alarm in the car it would go off. Anywhere I should start besides door seals, and firewall seals ect..

8: Do these vehicles come standard with a block heater? I am located close to the canadian border and was wondering if these come stock or If I will need to have one installed?

[diagnosticator]

#2, The windshield spray nozzles are heated, not the washer fluid in the tank. This prevents the nozzles from being blocked by ice. You still need to use fluid that won't freeze in the tank.

#3 The switch for the door is in the door latch assembly. It could also be a broken wire in the door jamb boot.
The "lights ON" warning only applies to the parking lights or turn signals. The headlights will turn OFF when the ign key is turned OFF, and cannot be left ON. The parking lights will remain ON with the key OFF, with the headlight switch in either the first or second positions. With the headlight switch and the ign key OFF, when parked, placing the turn signal switch lever in either the left or right turn position, will turn ON the right or left parking lamps accordingly, if the electric control module is coded for that. If the coding is not specifically for one side parking lights, then the turn signal in either position will turn ON both sides together. This allows selective use of the parking lights, while the headlight switch and ign key is OFF.

#4 The OE auto headlights with comming home function can be retrofitted.

#5 You can use lower octane fuel, with a minor loss of performance.

#6 The key transponder cannot be bypassed easily. That requires a reconfiguration of several components, and is not practical.

#7 Instead of expecting to block exhaust fumes with body seals etc, find and fix the exhaust leak at the source. Check the exhaust manifold and flange gaskets for leaks.

#8 Block heaters are not installed OE in the NA market. In Europe, you can get an optional factory installed parking heater that is a small combustion heater that circulates engine coolant through the engine and cabin heater to preheat the engine and cabin interior, while defrosting the windows. The parking heater is remote controlled from inside your house.
This can be retrofitted, used heaters can be purchased.$$$ Otherwise, an electric engine heater can be installed in the engine cooling system.

#1 Check the fuse.

[old guy]

#1 Replace fuse number 37 with a 30amp fuse.

[road_tripper]

#6 many tales of woe on this site from people with a single key... get a spare asap (even a valet key).

[keeko785]

First, Thank you for your quick responses. I posted this exact text on the audiforums website and it sat for 6 days with no response, I bumped it, still with no response.

#3, I am trying to understand why you would turn the left turn signal on after turning vehicle off to illuminate one side of the parking lights.

#4: when you say retrofitted, does it just need to goto a dealer to have a "setting changed" like in my range rover or does the headlights need to be rewired, a retrofit kit need to be installed. Can you elaborate.

#6. I have done thousands of remote start installs. I will probably just remove the transponder chip and place it near the ignition switch. I will get a second key cut, but we don't have a VW dealer for 340 miles.

#7. I will check exhaust manifold and flange gaskets on a cold day, the engine was replaced.

#8, is this the webasto heater, don't those require the vehicle to be a diesel vehicle. Can a typical frost plug heater be used, (pluck out a frost plug in the engine, install) and walla!