Had Cranking Issue Just Realize a ton of water in my battery compartment

[coffeysm]

My car is used primarily for winter, so it's not my DD. As I was getting ready to make sure everything was good for this coming winter, I started getting cranking/starting issues. Replaced the battery about two days ago due to some hard starting and when it was tested the CCA was at 470. I thought my problems were solved, but it still took one or two starts to get going. Today, after a long downpour I went to start the car and it was running terrible, so I took my other car and decided to troubleshoot the car today.

I got home and the car started, sputtered, and was running like crap. It then started misfiring, CEL flashed on me, and the car just died after a few times. I thought I was having some alternator problems, so I was trying to measure the battery voltages. I pulled the battery cover up and I noticed there was just a ton of water stuck in there, however, it doesn't look like it got high enough to get in the ECU. I also didn't noticed anything wet inside the car either, I took the battery out and cleared out the drain hole. I then took the cover off the ECU itself and nothing looked wet, brown, or damaged in anyway. But, I know electrical issues can go unseen.

All the lights come on and the car cranks, but it just doesn't start. I have the CEL, ESP, EPC, and battery light all on the console.

I have the MAF disconnected, so that error I'm not worried about. I also got the PRNDS light error the other day, so I'm not too concerned about the F125 switch now either. The crank sensor stands out to me as well, since it says implausible signal. P1602 error code also stands out, because I do think I might be having alternator problems, but it also says it can be a weak battery or disconnected cables. I did have the cables disconnected and replaced he battery as well.

Is it possible my ECU might be jacked up though? I mean it seems to be communicating without any issue.

I ran VCDS and here are all the codes I got and there is a lot!

Friday,28,October,2016,19:49:03:62939
VCDS -- Windows Based VAG/VAS Emulator
VCDS Version: 12.12.0.0
Data version: 20130910


VIN: WAULT68E84A060838 License Plate:
Mileage: 314000km-195110mi Repair Order:



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Chassis Type: 8E (8E - Audi A4 B6/B7 (2001 > 2008))
Scan: 01 02 03 08 09 0F 11 15 16 17 18 25 36 37 45 46 55 56 57 65
67 69 75 76 77

VIN: WAULT68E84A060838 Mileage: 314000km/195110miles
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Address 01: Engine Labels: 06C-909-559-ASN.lbl
Part No SW: 8E0 909 559 L HW: 8E0 909 059
Component: 3.0L V6/5V G 0010
Coding: 0016751
Shop #: WSC 63351 000 00000
VCID: 3E73D8736A826EEEA6F-5000

16 Faults Found:
16684 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 - 001 - - MIL ON
16690 - Cylinder 6
P0306 - 008 - Misfire Detected - Intermittent
18032 - MIL Request Signal Active (Check TCM for errors too!)
P1624 - 008 -
17833 - EVAP Purge Valve (N80)
P1425 - 002 - Short to Ground - Intermittent
17880 - EVAP Leak Detection Pump
P1472 - 002 - Short to Ground - Intermittent
17843 - Secondary Air Pump Relay (J299)
P1435 - 002 - Short to Ground - Intermittent
17829 - Secondary Air Injection Solenoid Valve (N112)
P1421 - 002 - Short to Ground - Intermittent
16486 - Mass Air Flow Sensor (G70)
P0102 - 002 - Signal too Low - Intermittent
16686 - Cylinder 2
P0302 - 008 - Misfire Detected - Intermittent
17537 - Fuel Trim; Bank 2 (Mult)
P1129 - 002 - System too Rich - Intermittent
18010 - Power Supply Terminal 30
P1602 - 002 - Voltage too Low - Intermittent
16685 - Cylinder 1
P0301 - 001 - Misfire Detected
16688 - Cylinder 4
P0304 - 001 - Misfire Detected
16689 - Cylinder 5
P0305 - 001 - Misfire Detected
16497 - Intake Air Temp. Sensor (G42)
P0113 - 002 - Signal too High
16705 - Engine Speed Sensor (G28)
P0321 - 008 - Implausible Signal
Readiness: 0000 0000

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Address 02: Auto Trans Labels: 01V-927-156.lbl
Part No: 8E0 927 156 Q
Component: AG5 01V 3.0l5V USA 1214
Coding: 0001002
Shop #: WSC 63351 000 00000
VCID: 3C77D27B7C9E7CFE88B-5072

4 Faults Found:
17095 - Transmission Fluid Temp Sensor (G93)
P0711 - 003 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
18161 - Tiptronic Switch (F189)
P1753 - 003 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
17090 - Transmission Range Sensor (F125)
P0706 - 003 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent - MIL ON
18265 - Load Signal
P1857 - 003 - Error Message from ECU - Intermittent

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Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 8E0-614-517.lbl
Part No: 8E0 614 517 A
Component: ABS/ESP allrad 3429
Coding: 04497
Shop #: WSC 06435
VCID: 26431013C212D62ECEF-5072

1 Fault Found:
01826 - Sensor for Steering Angle (G85); Supply Voltage Terminal 30
35-00 - -

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Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 8E0-820-043.lbl
Part No: 8E0 820 043 AD
Component: A4 Klimaautomat 1219
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 63351
VCID: 63C54907F1A06306E91-5000

No fault code found.

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Address 09: Cent. Elect. Labels: 8E0-907-279-8E2.lbl
Part No: 8E0 907 279 F
Component: int. Lastmodul USA 0517
Coding: 01013
Shop #: WSC 63351
VCID: 3561C75F0FB4ADB6775-4A9C

1 Fault Found:
01493 - Bulb for Blinkers; Front Left (M5)
57-00 - Electric Circuit Failure

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Address 15: Airbags Labels: 8E0-959-655-84.lbl
Part No: 8E0 959 655 C
Component: Airbag 8.4EP 3001
Coding: 0010607
Shop #: WSC 63351 000 00000
VCID: 377DCD5745B85FA6659-5072

No fault code found.

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Address 16: Steering wheel Labels: 8E0-953-549.lbl
Part No: 8E0 953 549 N
Component: Lenksáulenmodul 0308
Coding: 02041
Shop #: WSC 63351
VCID: 3E73D8733A826EEEA6F-4A3A

1 Fault Found:
01304 - Radio
49-00 - No Communications

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Address 17: Instruments Labels: 8E0-920-9xx-8E2.lbl
Part No: 8E0 920 950 L
Component: KOMBI+WEGFAHRS. RB4 D37
Coding: 03400
Shop #: WSC 08219
VCID: 326BFC43FEDABA8E527-50E6
WAULT68E84A060838 AUZ6Z0C0235229

1 Fault Found:
01304 - Radio
49-00 - No Communications

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Address 46: Central Conv. Labels: 8E0-959-433-MAX.lbl
Part No: 8E0 959 433 BB
Component: Komfortgerát T7B 1411
Coding: 11788
Shop #: WSC 63351
VCID: 72EB3C433E5AFA8E927-4A3A

Subsystem 1 - Part No: 8E1959801G
Component: Tõrsteuer.FS BRM 0706

Subsystem 2 - Part No: 8E1959802E
Component: Tõrsteuer.BF BRM 0003

Subsystem 3 - Part No: 8E0959801A
Component: Tõrsteuer.HL BRM 0003

Subsystem 4 - Part No: 8E0959802A
Component: Tõrsteuer.HR BRM 0003

11 Faults Found:
00962 - Alarm via. Tilt Sensor
35-00 - -
01374 - Alarm triggered by Terminal 15
35-00 - -
01572 - Alarm triggered by Door Contact Switch; Passenger Side
35-00 - -
01366 - Opened Due to Crash Signal
36-10 - Open Circuit - Intermittent
00955 - Key 1
35-10 - - - Intermittent
01705 - Selection Switch for Mirror-Adjust (E48)
27-10 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
00932 - Electric Window Motor; Drivers Side (V147)
62-10 - No or Incorrect Adjustment - Intermittent
00915 - Window Regulator Switch; Rear Right; Driver (E55)
27-10 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
00912 - Window Regulator Switch; Front Left (E40)
27-10 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
00913 - Window Regulator Switch; Front Right Driver (E81)
27-10 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
01331 - Door Control Module; Driver Side (J386)
53-10 - Supply Voltage Too Low - Intermittent

End ---------------------------------------------------------------------

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[5ktq]

That's a lot of codes, probably from your battery dying or something, so clear them, crank again, and post what shows up.

[bwizard]

Holy crap bat man long post. If the battery compartment was full I'm sure your Ecu got wet open Ecu box dry every thing out clean terminals if necessary clear codes see what comes up

Sent from my S4's talk to text @ a buck thirty

[coffeysm]

Well, I cleared the codes and the only one that came back was the 16497 - Intake Air Temp. Sensor (G42)
P0113 - 002 - Signal too High

[coffeysm]

Opened up the ECU box and took out the ECU and the other metal box under it and it was bone dry. I tested my crank sensor and it tested correctly according to AllData and I also tested my fuel pump relay, which clicked and had voltage across the terminals. The relays in the ECU box still looked clean and newish, I'm looking at 219 now to try and test it as well.

[coffeysm]

Well, I'm about 85% sure I'm having either a fuel pump problem or some kind of fuel delivery issue. I only had a few minutes to troubleshoot today, since I had to take my stepson trick or treating. But, I sprayed a little starting fluid after the MAF and it didn't start, but it did seem to "try". I disconnected the fuel line, attached it to a hose, and then pointed it to a catch can and nothing was really coming out when I cranked the engine. I then hooked the lines back up and disconnected them again, but there was a little bit of pressure without much fuel coming out. I'm going to still look at spark and need to test power going back to the fuel pump, before I conclude my diagnosis.

I have a walbro 255 fuel pump clone around my house and I might swap that in if my pump is indeed bad.

[coffeysm]

Well, I figured out my problem or at least I know what caused my car to stop working. Does this damn car have another fuel pump in it or something??? LOL. The passenger side was completely dry, but I had at least 3 gallons left and I know my gauge works fine. I pulled out my fuel pump and it works fine, so I added about three more gallons to the tank (fuel gauge raised accordingly also) and the car started up fine.

Is there another pump that feeds fuel from the driver to passenger side of the fuel tank? I saw the other access panel, but figured it's like my G35 and for another fuel sending unit....oh those Germans.

I have a Quattro also.

[5ktq]

Fuel suction jet pump or the associated hoses are fuct. it's a passive venturi type thing that relies on vacuum from the return fuel, so any leaks on the hoses across the sides render it kaput.

2 in this picture

[coffeysm]

Interesting, I'll have to open the other access panel tomorrow. I didn't really see any of those other hoses connected to the basket or the actual fuel pump itself. I'll have to see if they came lose or broke off somehow.

[rocket1420]

If you drive it as is, be aware that it will "run out" of fuel in the same manner while you're driving. In other words, don't let your gas gauge go too far past halfway.

[coffeysm]

Yea, I realize that now, lol. I been troubleshooting this thing for almost a week so far that started with some weird electrical issues. Latest problem occurred in my driveway, I have another car so that helps a lot when maintaining them. So, far I've paid nothing and almost towed it to a mechanic. They probably would have thrown a fuel pump in and called it a day...glad I took some time to do this.