Electrical issues

[Bhaygarth]

Hi, 

My cars having some issues and as its the first one i've had i was wondering if anyone could offer some insight. Any feedback is appreciated.

I was wondering if anyone has an idea as to what could have caused the following:

Recently, my car has been serviced, MOTed, and had new brakes fitted.

Since having this done, my clutch randomly fully burnt out and has been replaced today.

When i first bought the car, it had an issue with saying the engine coolant was running low when it was full, this message still appears. The parking sensors also packed in as well as the auto start stop - randomly. 

Since the service, the "low oil" message keeps coming up, could this be a sensor issue too?

A week after having the breaks done, the clutch fully gave in after getting onto the motorway - from what i've researched sometimes this can effect the transmission which in turn can harm the clutch (is this correct or just google showing me crazy ideas?)

Finally, since the clutch has been done today, i have had a traction control error message pop up saying it had failures, the steering has a system fault but says i can continue driving, there is also a light for the car safety popping up (the yellow one which looks like a person and an airbag) and all the previous errors are popping up. 

Im taking it for diagnostic checking but does anyone know what might've caused this? Could it have been water or something finding its way into the electrics? is everything broken? Anyone experienced this before?

Also, car has 1 previous owner, full Servicing, 59k on clock.

(Car is a 2013 Audi A4 b8 saloon black edition)

Thanks for any help. 

Ben

[Magnet]

Hello Ben,

Sorry to hear of your catalogue of issues.

I’ll have a stab at commenting on what I recall of your listed problems:- 

Any connection between new brakes and subsequent clutch failure? That really would be a new one on me! Re. the clutch failure - did this occur as an issue with the pedal (say failure to return after being depressed) or was the clutch slipping? 

Low coolant level light - why didn’t the servicing garage comment on this? Probably as simple as a faulty level switch on the reservoir. 

Low oil level - take it this car is old enough to have a dipstick? If so, does this indicate that the level is low on checking the oil when cold? 

Traction control - could be a poor connection on one of the ABS sensors on the wheels, or indeed a damaged connection/sensor when working on the brakes. Would need to diagnose which is the offending wheel sensor. 

Stop/start and various warning light issues. How old is the battery? Has its efficiency been tested. These issues can often be traced to a substandard battery.

Hope some of this helps.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Bhaygarth]

6 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Hello Ben,

Sorry to hear of your catalogue of issues.

I’ll have a stab at commenting on what I recall of your listed problems:- 

Any connection between new brakes and subsequent clutch failure? That really would be a new one on me! Re. the clutch failure - did this occur as an issue with the pedal (say failure to return after being depressed) or was the clutch slipping? 

Low coolant level light - why didn’t the servicing garage comment on this? Probably as simple as a faulty level switch on the reservoir. 

Low oil level - take it this car is old enough to have a dipstick? If so, does this indicate that the level is low on checking the oil when cold? 

Traction control - could be a poor connection on one of the ABS sensors on the wheels, or indeed a damaged connection/sensor when working on the brakes. Would need to diagnose which is the offending wheel sensor. 

Stop/start and various warning light issues. How old is the battery? Has its efficiency been tested. These issues can often be traced to a substandard battery.

Hope some of this helps.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth, 

Thanks for your comments - 

Clutch - As this is my first car i may not have noticed it slipping, however, from how it's been described to me, i dont recall any slipping happening. I was pulling onto the motorway, cycling through gears and then it wouldn't go into 4th, 5th, or 6th. I eventually managed to get it into 3rd which then stopped working; and then second which stopped working and finally 1st stopped.

Coolant sensor - I'm not sure why they never commented on the low coolant light, i assume it was because the reservoir was full and maybe they didn't notice? Not sure 😕

Oil - Unfortunately, it has no dipstick. Its all digital which is why im not sure if its actually a level issue or a sensor. I can confirm that the warning comes up when the engine is first turned on (Doesn't show until the engines running) and shows the same amount once it has been running for a while. 

TC - that could be why i suppose, would make sense if they'd knocked and damaged it in some way.

Etc - I'm not sure how old the battery actually is and im not sure if its been tested. From what i can see in the paperwork for the car is that it's never been swapped out. Ill see about getting its efficiency tested as i never thought that could be a cause for the lights. 

 

Thanks again for your reply.

Ben

[Magnet]

Thanks for the additional comments Ben. OK so the clutch appears not to have failed by gradual wear, but by some catastrophic failure of one of the components - probably the clutch release bearing assembly. 

Coolant sensor - garage should have noticed this, and this, together with the ‘low oil’ warning ( real or sensor issue) would lead me to question their necessary attention to detail. Of course, you must return the car to them, but if it were mine, I would be looking for another garage to do any subsequent servicing/repairs. They will also need to deal with the wheel sensor issue. 

It sounds as if your battery may be the original ( check for Audi associated labelling). If it is, then again if it were mine, I would be just biting the bullet and replacing it with a good quality( in caps) one, since it’s likely to let you down, even if it isn’t the direct cause of your stop/start and warning light issues. I only buy Varta/Bosch batteries and go with their ‘at least 4 year’ warranty quality ones. I buy on line at best price/service from specialists such as Battery Megastore (via. eBay to get free postage), Tanya Batteries, etc. - there are more, and I don’t have any connection. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Bhaygarth]

7 hours ago, Magnet said:

Thanks for the additional comments Ben. OK so the clutch appears not to have failed by gradual wear, but by some catastrophic failure of one of the components - probably the clutch release bearing assembly. 

Coolant sensor - garage should have noticed this, and this, together with the ‘low oil’ warning ( real or sensor issue) would lead me to question their necessary attention to detail. Of course, you must return the car to them, but if it were mine, I would be looking for another garage to do any subsequent servicing/repairs. They will also need to deal with the wheel sensor issue. 

It sounds as if your battery may be the original ( check for Audi associated labelling). If it is, then again if it were mine, I would be just biting the bullet and replacing it with a good quality( in caps) one, since it’s likely to let you down, even if it isn’t the direct cause of your stop/start and warning light issues. I only buy Varta/Bosch batteries and go with their ‘at least 4 year’ warranty quality ones. I buy on line at best price/service from specialists such as Battery Megastore (via. EBay to get free postage), Tanya Batteries, etc. - there are more, and I don’t have any connection. 

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth, 

 

Thanks for all your advice, i'll definitely get a new battery and question the garage.

 

Really do appreciate the help,

Ben