Magnet

Hello Kal, From the school of eliminating the simple things first, I would not consider major wallet-affecting issues before first eliminating that the battery is not the cause of your issues. Prior to the stop- start technology, original batteries usually lasted a good 10 years. Now, with so called intelligent charging batteries, stop-start, etc. who knows how long they will last. I would normally have suggested you get your battery's efficiency checked by say Halfords, but I 'm not sure with this modern technology. Probably worth having a word with your local indi first. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dom, I think Trevor is spot on with his advice to check for obstructions, and to carefully lubricate all pivot points - -ensuring you have plenty of 'backing' rags around where you are gong to spray with the fine tube on the WD40. An assistant with their own WD would be handy for this job, so both sides can be dealt with at the same time. If that fails, it might be one (which one!?) of many micro switches in the system. These are very often very simple plastic things and not too long lasting. If you still have problems it might be worth doing some searches on local car (classic car even) trimmers. They are often clued up on such things. Or try a trusted independent who should be able to fault trace this for you. Good luck, Gareth,

Hello Martyn from the Homeland, It sounds as if you have been around the common causes for this - quite often the under-seat connector which suffers from dust and dirt etc. My advice would be - don't fiddle anymore! Just take a trip back to the nice dealer rather than ring them and ask them to sort it for you. A car with an inoperable/ suspect air bag system must be termed as being unsuitable for purpose and they have to fix it. Just be pleasant and non demanding, as we Welsk folks are! Whatever you do, do not mention code readers and fuses and wires and personal fiddling - recipe for 'you've messed it up' The car is 10 years old, and chances are the original battery has now expired and been replaced and this may well have had an influence over this problem. Good luck - I'm sure they will sort this for you. Don't think you are hassling them. If not let us know,- well let us know anyway. Kind regards, Gareth

Hello Robert, I think you are wise to consider this as being an important aspect of the car's continuing maintenance. 155k miles in 6 years is high, and one would assume that that mileage may well have been covered via. long individual trips where all the mechanical components are happily running under best conditions - so minimising wear. Taxis however are likely to cover in excess of this on generally short trips, so thereby hangs another story! For some reason, I'm taking this to be automatic, and if so, I would be surprised if Audi have any service recommendations for the gearbox and as you say, go with the 'sealed for life' concept. Many manufacturers now do, but fluid and filter changes at your mileage is looked upon as worthwhile. I believe that the filters are internal and you will need to buy gaskets etc. for the auto sump pan, of course, as well as the correct expensive fluid. May be worth your while talking with a well respected local indie. who would be familiar with this, and it is probably well worth going down that route since you can take the opportunity of having the gearing set up again on the computer - re flash? Manual gearbox? Again worth changing at your mileage. A lot easier, but drain plug?? If not , they will need to resort to the oil suction method often used to remove engine oil. If it has a drain plug to drain the oil off then always ensure the refill plug is able to be removed before draining - other wise you are in great difficulties! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Nigel, In the olden days! These instruments would have been fed by a voltage stabiliser which pulsed a voltage to them to prevent the fuel gauge reading in particular, jumping around when the car cornered or went over a bump and the fuel level sloshed around. These could prove to be problematic and give the type of issue you have. I would guess there is probably a built in modern bit of curcuit technology which now does the same thing, and yes, it might be in the actual instrument panel - but maybe not. If it were mine, I think I would be popping this around to a local trusted independent for a bit of advice. I'm sure they would have come across this sort of thing before. Taking instrument panels out is not really where you might want to be unless you have to. Good luck with getting it sorted. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Dan, Not wanting to pre judge what the OP is going to say when he fills in a bit more detail, but if this turns out to be a noise when the car is on the move, then I would certainly not discount this being tyre associated without removing the wheels and getting all surfaces of the tyres thoroughly inspected by a good local tyre company. Simply looking at the outside and judging if the pressure is OK would not be sufficient. We were told that this car is 11 years old but has covered only 16k miles, and I guess there is a possibility that the tyres might still be the original ones. If so, I would say it's definitely time to get these closely inspected before looking for any other component faults. Kind regards, Gareth.

It's probably me, but I'm rather lost with the description of the symptoms here. From tyre type noises (assumed to be at actual road speed ) to tinkling EGR valves - presumed when revving the car while standing. So it would help if we know if this sound is when the car is being driven, and is speed associated, or if being revved at standstill, or on the move. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, I would agree with Trevor and Steve, but I would question "specialist in Essex". Not wanting to cast doubt on anyone's business concerns, but just wondered whether this is a clutch specialist or an Audi independent. If a 'clutch specialist" I would be temped to seek advice and read reviews - I guess most are OK, but..... It it were mine, I would be finding yourself a local Audi independent (if these aren't) and getting their advice. If you have to spend - and it seems you may have to- then I would advise spending once and wisely, if you are going to keep the car. There are some highly variable aftermarket replacement clutch assemblies on the market, and personally, I would only go for LUK clutches. Cheaper might just end up as just cheap! If it is the dual mass flywheel at fault then you may be wise to get this attended to without delay, since when they do decide to part company then there can be major damage. Sorry about all the bad news. Good luck with it. Gareth.

Hello John, Sorry to hear about your continued problem. The garage's reference to slightly low compression on two cylinders is of interest. Have they told you which two cylinders show this slightly low compression? If not, would you be able to find out from them, since if this is on two adjacent cylinders then your problem could be explained by a faulty head gasket blowing between the two cylinders, and introducing opposing compression across to the neighbouring piston. Would you be able to let us know? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Miguel, Now with more knowledge about the symptoms then probably ignore the trial of using Quantum oil, and I guess it's worth a try with a good quality 5/40 fully synthetic. If you do find any issue with the breather system, then it would first be worth simply continuing with the Castrol Edge to see what happen. Others will offer more informed information, but do I recall some comment about some if these engines using oil? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Miguel, Perhaps a couple of questions if you don't mind:- Have you actually been changing the oil yourself or getting oil changes done? If yourself, what brand of 5w30 have you been using? Are there any signs of blue smoke on acceleration, or evidence of any oiliness at the end of the exhaust? Has this oil burning suddenly occurred, or just gradually getting worse, and if so, over what period of time/mileage? Others more experienced than me with this particular engine will possibly discount this, but have you looked at and cleaned, the crankcase breathing system - if it has one- which I would have thought it has. Once we know a bit more, it might be worth changing the oil using the recommend grade which I would believe to be the 5/30 fully synthetic you are using, but using the Quantum brand which VAG recommend. I would invest a bit more and use their Longlife 3 grade. If it then still uses oil then I guess you could try a good quality 5w/40 fully synthetic oil and see what happens with that. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Brad. In my book, if it has a Econ button then it effectively has air conditioning- although I think Audi prefer to call it climate control! I believe Econ pressed, means the air con. will not come on. You should be able to confirm air co. by looking for the large section flexible gas pipes (with tyre type valve) leading to a compressor. Not sure how long you have had the car, but I would expect it would benefit from a re-gas every few years to ensure an adequate supply of cold air through the vents. You are right in thinking that the air con. should automatically cut in if the temperature is set to Low, but I believe it should also cut in at any time when the outside temperature is higher than the selected inside temperature, and the control set to Auto. Sounds like you will be need a re gass Brad. There were offers about- if you come across any good ones could you please let me know since our two cars would benefit from this too. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Logan, It sounds as if you made the right decision - for you - by not buying that particular A5. I too follow Steve's good advice re service history etc., and for an independent check if you are spending that sort of money. One thing I would add with any used vehicle purchase is to contact the last registered owner, since thereby hangs the true story behind service history. Steve may well be getting bored by now with this comment from me!! You can have service history up to the hilt, but it does not protect the vehicle from haviing a history of issues. Seat? I agree with Steve on the good value for money. Skoda - the same. You just have to look at what the taxi drivers are using in our area. One word of caution with a basic little Seat - who has owned it? Small cars are very popular as courtesy cars and even day hire, so beware of one owner and one hundred drivers! Might be registered to VAG which is a bit of a dead end trail to find anything. Hire cars- look for Alphabet as an owner, who I'm pretty sure are Hertz. Of course, this is only one of many, but worth doing your homework. I think at 6 months old you can forget about the favourite history of ex demonstrator - too old I would think. Mileage just under 10k sometimes points to end-of-hire period mileage restriction. Hope some of this helps, Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dave, Apologies in advance for the unhelpful content of this reply, but as nice and appealing it might be to fit 'non-standard?' wheels, the unfortunate reality is that it could affect your insurance premium. Maybe not, but probably might, and at least you would be wise to take advice from your insurers, before committing yourself to buying any alternative wheels. Such things can be ignored, but you take a risk, and the risk could just result in the your insurance being invalidated. On a positive note, you could look at period brochures (or contact Audi) - not sure what year your car is - and check what alternative wheel sizes were offered when the car was new. If 19 inch turned out to be listed, then things become a lot brighter, and if you retain this official information, then I would see no need to let your insurers know. Of course, you would then need to find a set of these original Audi alternatives. I guess aftermarket 19 inch alternatives would certainly dictate you having a need to inform your insurers. Kind regards, Gareth.

Not sure if this tarnishing of the plasti-chrome may be aggravated by the trend to have cars washed cheaply, with no personal effort, by our friends wealding pressure lances loaded with high clean chemicals such as truck cleaners. Known to wreak lacquer. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Phil, I would think Darren on here would be your man to suggest what is wrong, but I guess your assumptions may be possibles. Wondered if the delayed starting is accompanied by excessive diesel smell or some smoke when it does actually start. Also if you have had it plugged in to see what fault codes may come up. Darren will no doubt make some valid suggestions, but I just wonder if all other things are OK on the fuel supply side, if one ie more of the injectors may be starting to give problems. There is a relatively simple (with the right equipment) test to check these. Kind regards , Gareth.

Hello John, Well done you. Reasons why? Now don't get too enquiring of us on here!! The logic of Audi is not ours to question. Might be something to do with northern hemisphere built cars being used in the southern H! We hear that the water circulates down the plug hole in the opposite rotation with you - so who knows. Trust all is trouble free for you from here in. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks again Steve, for passing this on, and I'm pleased that you too think this deserves to be aired in a prominent position (right at the top of the shop?) on the forum. Many thanks also for your kind comments. I think the forum members are eager to help one another as best they can, and I often wish I knew far than I do, to sometimes offer better quidance, but I think we all try. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Steve, Many thanks for coming back on this and for your action to get this particular thread to the top of the Audi Recall topic. What I actually meant, and probably didn't explain properly, was that I thought the whole vitally important topic of Audi Recalls deserved a position as near to the top- if not the top- of the whole forum rather than about second from last as it is now. I just feel that anyone (particularly new) searching this forum would find it beneficial to see this right at the top - even before Intoductions - rather than tucked away inconspicuously near the bottom. As much as its great to have a topic which allows new owners to introduce themselves, I think it's only fair to allow owners subject to recall requests to have readily found and easy access to the experiences of others, so they can form their own judgement. Many thanks again Steve, Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Phil, Wonered if you could let us know if this problem occurs when starting from cold - or hot - or both. Kind regards, Gareth

Hello John, I could be barking up wrong trees here, or just barking! Could this issue few more to do with the condition (e.g. rusty?) sensor rings on the wheels, rather than the sensor/s themselves? Might be worth inspecting each of these. Kind regards, Gareth.

To Administrators and Moderators - again. I did suggest some weeks ago that this vitally important topic be moved to near the 'top of the shop' so it becomes readily and easily accessible, rather than being relegated to near the last of the topics. Nothing seems to have happened, and if that suggestion has indeed been considered and it has been decided that it does not warrant an upgraded position within the forum content , then I guess it will indeed stay where it is. However, I think it would be progressive if someone in authority would at least reply to this suggestion - for or against. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Brian, Saving funds sounds a reasonable reason for posting on here, and I'm sure advice will be given where experience has shown that a DIY fix has proved practical. Local garage may be worth a visit, but I meant a local car sales site (unless your local garage sells cars as well). Reason being is that car sales survive by ensuring money spent on vehicles is kept to a minimum and so they build up a knowledge of where the best value for money specialists are. Local garage - well they can work on the principle that the customer pays, and their contacts can be more along the line of who can do it quickly and easily, but not necessarily at the best price. I hope you have some succes at a minimum spend Brian, but if not, keep in mind that little discussion you had with the seller in terms of knocking money off their asking price! Needs might just be must. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Julia, Thanks for coming back on this. I'm not sure if we we suffering from a bit of predictive text here, but in your first post you mention the battery was charged, and I asked if that battery had now been checked for efficiency (following being charged). In the latest post you mention the battery was Changed. Not sure whether this as a misprint for Charged... I wonder if you have now actually renewed the battery and you are still in problems, or if you are still trying to work with the original (recharged) battery. If it is the old battery, then you must first recharge it, and then get it checked before looking at the problem issues. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Brian, This isn't going to be the good news you are hoping for, but I too have tried all the methods I could find to reprogramme the remote on a 2006 A3, without any success. Mine stopped working due to a long period of inactivity, and as I now understand it, it's going to be half an hour out with a main dealer/independent and a plug into the computer to fix it. Mine is the spare so I'm not going out of my way to take any action on it. Did you buy this car from a dealer? If so, it may be worth contacting them an asking if they know of someone who might reprogramme it for you. Alternatively, try a couple of your local used car lots- these chaps have their fingers on the pulse with most snags and usually know someone good with such things. Good luck, Gareth.