Oil Sensor / Hood Switch

[SilverRings]

I've been doing some research on the oil sensor problem. In the middle of a trip, I had the add 1 quart messages come on. It was at the tail end of an oil change interval, and since I was driving at the time it came on, it probably was low 1 quart. I added a quart and light didn't go away after a few days of driving. I added another quart, still on.

I understand that this part is the hood latch/switch combo needed to fix this issue. https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ck/8k0823509g/
2010-2012 Year Dipstick: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ck/06e115611h/
Thread with useful pictures: https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ght=oil+sensor

Questions:

1. Folks are saying there is a way to test that switch: Pop the hood and see if the instrument cluster recognizes the hood being open. If hood switch is bad, car wont see it. What am I looking for here? I turned on the ignition only (not engine), then popped the hood. Does it say hood open in the MMI screen somewhere? If so, where? Or am I looking for a light by the gauge cluster?

2. Is there a way I can short the hood switch sensor for further testing? Maybe arc the to leads?

Hopefully this post can serve as a master post, putting all information into one thread for everyone looking for info.

Edit: I just took the latch assembly off, lightly sanded the switch contacts and then sprayed out with brake parts cleaner. Put it back together and oil warning is gone. Pictures below.
Notes:
1. Remove the long plastic piece that covers the latch. It got 4 bolts and the piece stretches the length of the front engine bay.
2. There is a plastic piece that goes over the supercharger belt. Pop off the plastic cover on the supercharger.
3. There are 3 Allen wrench bolts that face the engine bay that hold the latch assembly on. Those are a pain to get off with an Allen, but I was able to get it. Do not drop the allen or bolts!
4. Pop the switch out of the latch assembly, do not brake the tabs. I used needle nose plyers. (When it was time to put the switch back on, I used a flathead up against the back of the switch and pressed lightly to get it popped back into place.)
5. With very fine sandpaper, lightly sand the contact points of the switch. Then spray out with brake parts cleaner.
6. After this, while moving the switch, I was able to hear electrics/vacuum parts moving like they always do under the hood area.
7. Put everything back together.

Inked20180624_183925_LI.jpg20180624_183022.jpg20180624_183012.jpg20180624_183931.jpg20180624_184511.jpg

[hilmar2k]

It will look like this. 0624181823.jpeg

Sent from my VS996 using Audizine mobile app

[Dr GP]

Solution to the problem is a dipstick. Get one and forget about the switch.You will then be able to accurately access your oil level. Audi should have put one in.

[SilverRings]

It will look like this. 0624181823.jpeg

Sent from my VS996 using Audizine mobile app

Thanks, that helps.

[SilverRings]

Solution to the problem is a dipstick. Get one and forget about the switch.You will then be able to accurately access your oil level. Audi should have put one in.

Right, folks should get the dipstick that Audi left out. However, that doesn't fix the oil warning messages. I have added the procedure above to correct this problem.

[hilmar2k]

Solution to the problem is a dipstick. Get one and forget about the switch.You will then be able to accurately access your oil level. Audi should have put one in.

ECS shows the dipstick as up to 2012. Is there a different part number for 2013+, or is ECS just wrong?

[SilverRings]

ECS shows the dipstick as up to 2012. Is there a different part number for 2013+, or is ECS just wrong?

Guessing something like this, that says from year 2013.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-parts/billet-engine-oil-dipstick-black-anodized/005259ecs02-02~a/

[hilmar2k]

Guessing something like this, that says from year 2013.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...259ecs02-02~a/

Okay, maybe one that isn't $60+ for a dipstick..... That's the most ridiculous price I've seen on anything in quite a while.

Sent from my VS996 using Audizine mobile app

[SilverRings]

Okay, maybe one that isn't $60+ for a dipstick..... That's the most ridiculous price I've seen on anything in quite a while.

Sent from my VS996 using Audizine mobile app

This page says this one fit all the years, which is confusing as to what they say out there of one that supports only 2010-2012...
https://www.europaparts.com/oil-dips...5611h-oem.html

[jygesq]

that is correct part number for OEM part, the $60 version is after market fancy one..

[SilverRings]

The question is, does that part number work in all S4 B8s? Or just 2010-2012, like ECS says?

[Dr GP]

[QUOTE=hilmar2k;13167456]ECS shows the dipstick as up to 2012. Is there a different part number for 2013+, or is ECS just wrong

There are a few . One is plastic the other is metal. I ran the same plastic one in the engine all the time with the 3 of my s4s. No problem . Same one for all years. I had it in my B8 and B8.5. On sale now for $33.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ecs-part...259ecs01-03~a/

I had this one https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...ck/06e115611h/. $30

But for $3 more, I would get the metal one. It was not available when I purchased mine

[hilmar2k]

The question is, does that part number work in all S4 B8s? Or just 2010-2012, like ECS says?

I ended up buying it from Amazon (cheapest when factoring shipping). The second review said he had a B8.5 and it worked perfectly.

[MSq5]

Right, folks should get the dipstick that Audi left out. However, that doesn't fix the oil warning messages. I have added the procedure above to correct this problem.

Thank you for the fix. That is not my problem, though. I ordered the OEM dipstick and rely on it, because the oil level sensor is notoriously inaccurate, even when the hood latch switch is working properly.

It's good to be able to get rid of the "nanny" warning, but the oil level sensor is never going to be reliable. It's just not. Now I know how to stop the low level warning, but the only way to actually know if oil is low is to use the dipstick that Audi should have included.

BTW: While the billet one looks "purty", I know that VAG/Audi can never complain about the OEM version's quality, because they made it and they own (are responsible) its quality.