danletchford Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 (edited) As the title says, just recently (and very sporadically - 1 in every 4 times?) 2007 Audi will not start and instead gives me three or maybe four long beeps, red exclamation mark in display unit saying "Brakes", dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree and no response from ignition. Then, wait a few minutes and it's right as rain! Changed battery, made no difference. Any ideas? Brakes are absolutely fine btw, so not sure huw accurate warning message is. I've made a video but not sure if I can upload or not. ps - seems not, can only insert URL?! Edited August 5 by danletchford Add file Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danletchford Posted August 5 Author Share Posted August 5 This is the OP, only way I could find to post more media. PXL_20240802_071703629.TS~2.mp4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnet Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 2007 might be a little early to need new battery being coded to the car, but worth a check. Think Clifford on here has mentioned issue with dashboard cluster in the past. Kind regards, Gareth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffcoggin Posted August 5 Share Posted August 5 (edited) Yes it may well be the instrument cluster. Rather than explain it all again look at this thread. It details the symptoms (which can vary), and the solution. https://www.audiownersclub.com/forums/topic/19885-instrument-cluster-problem/#comments P.S. 2007 batteries do need to be coded. Edited August 5 by cliffcoggin Additional information. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnet Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 So cheapest option to start, will be getting the new (how long has it been on there?) battery coded. Can we take it you fitted a good quality battery, rather than one bought on price? Kind regards, Gareth. Our 2006 doesn’t need coding, but… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonH Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 13 hours ago, Magnet said: 2007 might be a little early to need new battery being coded to the car, but worth a check. Think Clifford on here has mentioned issue with dashboard cluster in the past. Kind regards, Gareth. I have a 2007 no coding required Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnet Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 Not as simple as that that then. Alternator output checked? Brand of replacement battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danletchford Posted August 6 Author Share Posted August 6 It was just a standard battery from local car parts place. Replaced same version. Fault started with old battery fitted and continued with new one, which to me suggest not battery related issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnet Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 Ok, this is getting difficult, since we are not getting the answers to questions asked. Yes, you can go ahead with your assumption that this isn’t battery associated - and it may not be - but it remains an assumption until proven. To go ahead with that assumption, points you to the expensive route of getting the cluster assessed. Not my money, but if it was, I would need answers to:- Make of battery, since some brands are notorious for poor quality-? Alternator output check? Parasitic drain on battery check? I am not claiming your issue is battery associated, but simply to confirm whether it is or not. Only when I had eliminated these factors, would I move on to investigating more costly options. Questions are asked, and advice offered, but of course we have no control over the responses received against either. I really cannot offer any other first-line advice, so I can only leave it to others to offer their advice, based on the facts which have been tendered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danletchford Posted August 6 Author Share Posted August 6 Sorry, I'm not being difficult, was just trying to keep it simple. The battery brand is LIon -with a three year guarantee. I haven't checked the alternator output because I wouldn't know how. All the garages around here are booked for 3 weeks. The most maddening thing is how it's literally pot luck. Turn the key..... and it either fires up or three beeps and nothing.....5 mins later it will work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonH Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 26 minutes ago, danletchford said: Sorry, I'm not being difficult, was just trying to keep it simple. The battery brand is LIon -with a three year guarantee. I haven't checked the alternator output because I wouldn't know how. All the garages around here are booked for 3 weeks. The most maddening thing is how it's literally pot luck. Turn the key..... and it either fires up or three beeps and nothing.....5 mins later it will work. Have you tried an auto electrician? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danletchford Posted August 6 Author Share Posted August 6 Again, 3 week wait. Blooming summer holidays! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffcoggin Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 3 hours ago, GordonH said: I have a 2007 no coding required Mine, also 2007, did require coding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffcoggin Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 44 minutes ago, danletchford said: The battery brand is LIon -with a three year guarantee. I have read that Lion batteries have a very poor reputation on this forum, so I would not place too much reliance on the guarantee. That's not to say the battery is definitely responsible for the problem, but it does leave a question mark over it. If you are prepared to take the instrument cluster out yourself and post it to ECU Testing, you should have it back long before your local garages can even look at it. £45 for a diagnosis, about £180 for repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnet Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 OK Daniel, now things are getting more informed, and indeed meaningful. Again, I’m not claiming this as the culprit, but if I was to compile a list of the battery brands I would not have - even if given to me - Lion would be the top of that list. ECP’s best!! I believe they are now branding them Starline ( another of ECP exclusive names). Nothing to do with the reputation of Lion of course. So, buy cheapest and you get to the buy twice syndrome. If it wasn’t the cheapest, then that’s an even greater shame. Make note, the electronics on modern cars are demanding - particularly on batteries. Alternator output:- unknown. Parasitic drain :-unknown. Your issues may have nothing to do with any of the above, but from the school of eliminating cheapest option routes first, then I would have wanted these checked, before cluster investigations, brake switch etc. It looks like you are going to have to wait some weeks then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danletchford Posted August 6 Author Share Posted August 6 Right. According to some Googling there's a good chance it could be a faulty brake light switch. Might not be but I can't wait three weeks, it's not the battery and it only costs a tenner. Weird thing is..... when I went to remove the current brake light switch..... supposedly located at the top of the brake pedal.... it's not there! The car is 57 plate A3 1.6 sportback petrol. Anyone know where this part might be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnet Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 Hello Daniel, It’s probably just me, but your persistence to ask advice then ignore or reject it, is wearing a bit thin. Brake light switch:-‘ Anyone know where this part might be?’ Worth trying to put a Please in there somewhere?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffcoggin Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 Well if Google is such expert on this problem why not ask Google where the switch is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danletchford Posted August 6 Author Share Posted August 6 Blimey! Sorry everyone, didn't mean to offend. My wife's job is to take babies around for fostering agencies and obviously I don't want to be responsible for anything happening to them, that's probably why I have come across as abrupt. I do apologise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnet Posted August 6 Share Posted August 6 Accepted, and that’s better Daniel, and it doesn’t hurt does it? Have a read of a recent post on ‘Reacting to posts…..’. Yes, you are welcome to retain your claim that ‘…it’s not the battery…’ and there’s nowt we can do about that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffcoggin Posted August 7 Share Posted August 7 Thanks Daniel. I think we have offered all the realistic advice possible without actually seeing and testing the car. What action you now take is up to you, but please let us know the outcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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