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Audi TT Electrical System Problems

mp_flmp_fl Member Posts: 2
edited April 2019 in Audi
Hi
I am not sure how many of you have had these annoying, unsafe, non-value defects that the Audi reps give a run around.

My car is: 2001 TT 225 quatro 18k miles, GPS, Bose Premium sound, Premium Pkg....Lake silver/Denim blue

I have ECO light coming with power going down to 50%, turbo stopping (as a ECO effect), fuel display erratic, speedometer erratic, GPS requiring fuse reseating etc. They replaced parts in it (GPS computer, instrument cluster, cable harness, connectors etc), and after 5 times, it still reappears sporadically. I am in arbitration with BBB and Audi but I am afraid BBB will side with Audi. These problems cannot be reproduced on demand, and does not seem to leave a trail (fault code), But BBB insited that a inspector "test drive" to reproduce them ... Hah!!

I have found that a lot of the TTs have this problem, as well as some other Audis and VWs.. I just want them to buy my car back.. I did not expect this much troble for $42k!! When I had the BMW, I never had any problems!!

Please let me know who else have these defects...

The car is cheaply made in Hungary, and it only "looks" nice... fit and finish are not worthy of a $42k car!! and Audi's customer services needs to learn a thing or two about customer satisfaction...

Mohan P.
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Comments

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well, BBB is supported financially solely and entirely by business, so they aren't going to be aggressive in solving the dispute, but rather very methodical. You cannot expect BBB to act as consumer advocate. They are in place to protect good businesses from bad businesses. So you have no ally there.

    Lemon Law prcedures are quite lengthy and involved. It's not a simple or easy process and wasn't meant to be. So if that's the route you want to go, you're going to have to expect things to be long and drawn out unfortunately. Being able to reproduce the problem is a key factor, too, because they are counting down time.
  • pbj1pbj1 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 225 Quatro Coupe with ~3K miles. This week, the battery light came on as I was driving and within a few miles I started to get indicator lights for the Airbag, ABS, Traction Control, etc. A few moments later, my gauges went dead, however since I was only about 1-mile from my home and the engine was running fine, I kept going. About 1K feet from my house, the engine died.

    Audi Roadside towed the car to the dealer on Monday afternoon and after 3 days of diagnostics, I was advised that no trouble was found.

    Has anyone else had this occur? If so, did your dealer or Audi ever discover the root cause?
  • beaunedocbeaunedoc Member Posts: 15
    Do you know of any TT owners who drive the TT with the DSG trans? I'd like their impressions. The A3 Quattro with the V6 and DSG has me intrigued. beaunedoc
  • tjack1tjack1 Member Posts: 4
    I am having the same problem with the instrument cluster. They want $750.00 to fix plus re-set the codes for another $150.00. I contacted the headquarters about this but they say there is no recall on this part. It seems to be very widespread. BMW incidently will replace the instrument cluster for the life of the car at no charge, just labor.
  • ttchuckttchuck Member Posts: 1
    Ok, I have this hard to diagnose electrical drain.

    If the car sits for any length of time, like > 2 days the battery is dead. Seems like I've had this problem for awhile but just started noticing it because I no longer drive it everyday. The service folks thinks its the door control modules that have out of sync firmware. Anyone heard of this?

    Early on I had problems with driver door lock module which was replaced because the system thought the door was open and would move the window down a little... which caused the car to think that a door was open while moving or the alarm went off when stationary.

    Anyway that was cleared up years ago but now I have this slow drain. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Did you solve it?
  • easalleasall Member Posts: 1
    I HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ... or at least it sounds like it. I recently moved to DC so no longer need to drive every day..every time I leave my car over 24 hours (even if it is a nice warm garage) it will not start...i dont even hear the engine grinding just click click click when i try and turn it.

    The instrument panel all reverts back to July 1st 1998. The horn when i lock it stops beeping. And no go on the starting of the car :-(

    So...I have been to the dealer twice thusfar and no such luck on it being fixed (and right now it is sitting in my garage with a sad look on its face b/c i need to take it in again). The dealer has no idea what is going on by the way.

    1st time i took it to dealer I had them check all the electrical draws and then replace the battery.

    2nd time it happened I told them that they needed to check all the electrical draws again and this time they found an error in the central control module (the big brain for the TT) this was not good and cost me over a grande to fix.

    I'll let you know what they "figure out" this time but I am not hopefull - I would reall appreciate anything you find on the subject as well!
  • mr2ttmr2tt Member Posts: 1
    My '01 TT has only has 32K and the instrument cluster just malfunctioned - speedometer quit - resulting in a full cluster replacement at $900. Also the driver's side regulator switch is beginning to malfunction at $650, which I haven't replaced since it's such a great deal!?xV@//.
    Has anyone received any satisfaction from Audi headquarters?
    Thanks,

    Art
  • andyfadesandyfades Member Posts: 1
    Did you ever find the solution to this problem. I go on business trips of about a week every few months and each time I come back the car is completely dead. I've taken it in three times and each time they say there is no problem with the battery.
  • cogstercogster Member Posts: 1
    Hi,
    I own a 2001 TT and have had the same problem that you've encountered.

    Since my car was under warranty I took it back a week ago and the diagnosis from the Audi Dealer was a power drain due to the instrument cluster and a faulty dimmer switch which flickered and buzzed when I used it.
    Solution was to replace the whole instrument cluster (electrical), a new dimmer switch and now the car seems to run fine.....I will keep in touch though just in case the problem happens again.
    Hope this helps you.
  • ginameyerrginameyerr Member Posts: 1
    Hi,
    I'm purchasing a 2001 TT 225HP Roadster with 38K miles...For $60/month more (over 72 months) the dealer is offering me a CNA warranty allowing me to take the car to any Audi dealer for 4 years or 48,000 miles...Should I get it? Doesn't cover normal wear and tear, and since this is the "problems" forum, I'm wondering what you all think? At this point, the car has been inspected and is free of any probs... I drive maybe 10-15 miles a day max. Thanks for your advice!
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well let's see...given the miles you drive a year (roughly 5,400) at the end of FOUR years...the end of your warranty...you would have spent $2,880 to protect the car for an additional 21,840 miles, or a total mileage on the car of about 59,000.

    Doesn't seem like a good bet for you given the number of miles you drive and the cumulative miles on the car.

    I'm not clear about this $60/month additional over 72 months, since your warranty will run out in 48 months.
  • lincoln125lincoln125 Member Posts: 1
    My advice is don't bother with the Audi warrantee. Audi does not like to pay for extended warrantee broken parts. It much like fighting with an insurance company! They may pay, but only after you fight with them and beat them down. Like any used car, you will have some problems, hopefully not too costly.
  • jennfennelljennfennell Member Posts: 2
    Hi all:

    I've recently started to have a similar electrical drain on my 2000 tt. Since September, if the car sits for more than a day, it won't start... of course I changed the battery, which was original, then moved from NJ to DC.

    The problem came back right away, especially since I now take public transportation to work more often than not, and so the care is driven less.

    Suffice to say, it has been at the dealer as I don't know any Audi specialists is the area. Over two weeks this past month of diagnostics, a system code reset, then eventually a new instrument cluster, at 2200 dollars later, the problem still occurs.

    Every time the car fails, it's been sitting for a few days, and when I open the drivers side door, there is a clicking in it... can't tell exactly where, but I have always stuck to the belief that the problem is in some accessory motor/sensor/switch which thinks the car is on or the door is open when it's not. Audi did a "thorough" check and did not find a problem there ir in any of the wiring...

    Has anyone had any resolution to this problem? Any suggestions for a good auto electrics shop in the DC area? I can't take this anymore! If I want the car to start in the morning, I have to disconnect the battery,,, and that won't be a good idea for very long.

    Thanks
    jenn
  • joice2800joice2800 Member Posts: 3
    my car is audi tt 2001 225hp was sit for 1 week no driveing and now my battery die i put a new one still the same my gague die all the ligth go on and my new battery is dead too this is my firt time happen to me so if any one know what is the problen and where a can fix please let me knoe thanks :mad:
  • abutlerabutler Member Posts: 1
    I have simiar issue with 05 plate TT, still has less than 6Kmiles. When left for 2 weeks without being run, it suffers complete battery drain. I have had the engine ECU replaced (under warranty) but the Fault has just reappeared!
    My exprience tells me that this is an itermittant software issue, depending on the status of the interrupt flags at engine shutdown a sneak earth leakage path is set up thus allowing the battery to drain at different rates. Starting the engine resets the Flag system and temporarily clears the fault.
  • jewel3jewel3 Member Posts: 2
    OMG-I was truly beginning to believe my car was possessed. I have a 01 Audi TT Roadster Quattro, bought used and now has 81K on it. It was wonderful up until about 2 months ago, the battery went dead, we thought since the car was almost 8 years old, a new battery was needed, so we replaced it. It drove for about a week and all of a sudden it was dead, used cables to re-start and it ran for about another week and now it's dead. If I had a choice, I would run that car off the nearest cliff and watch it on the way down. It would seem this all steams from some sort of electrical issue, due to take it to the dealership on Monday (if it will start). Even if it is fixed, is this an on-going problem? Sounds like I should just get out of it. :cry: :mad:
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Calm down. Could be a battery drain. The dealer should be able to track this down.
  • jewel3jewel3 Member Posts: 2
    That is the issue, we have replaced the battery 3 times and took it to the dealership and they could find nothing. But alas, I have gotten rid of the car this past weekend, bought a 08 Chevy Impala. Just wasn't comfortable with the car at all. Loved the look and drive, but piece of mind is much better. :)
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well can't argue with that. Anticipating the next break-down is nerve-wracking and I hate it, too.

    I give a car "three strikes". If it leaves me totally stranded three times, despite my best efforts to make it reliable after each failure (and I DO try), it's up for sale, I'm done with it.
  • hofelinghofeling Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2001 TT Quatro and the trunk or fuel door has stopped working- not with the key or the button inside the car- has anyone else had this problem? Please help! Michelle :cry:
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Might check the fuse for that button for starters. Can you open the trunk with the remote--that is, use the key after you've hit the remote to open all the doors?
  • hofelinghofeling Member Posts: 4
    I have checked the fuse panel and do not see anything that would match my problem. The trunks and fuel door do not open with the remote- or the button inside the car, and I have no key entry for the trunk... :cry:
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well if the car were in front of me, I'd by-pass the trunk button and see if the switch is bad, or if the circuit is even getting current, and if NO and NO, then pull each fuse and look at it and/or test it for continuity. This can't be that big a deal.

    Now you know why when you go into Best Buy you don't see German electronics :sick:
  • hofelinghofeling Member Posts: 4
    My windows went out this morning- I am so freaked out to be at the mercy of the dealership-
  • hofelinghofeling Member Posts: 4
    I am going to do what you told me to when I get home today- I will check all of the fuses. Thank you ;)
  • kperesskperess Member Posts: 29
    It may well be a broken wire in your door. I own A 2000 Passat and my fuel door was dead. Turned out to be a broken wire in the door, not the switch or the actuator.

    Also, a few days later I had a total power failure -- couldn't start the car in the AM though I did have lights and dashboard. That turned out to be a corroded wire in the floor board harness -- they have allegedly fixed that in newer Passats as they are now shrink wrapping the wires in the harness to make them more waterproof.

    Hope this helps.
  • heymikeheymike Member Posts: 1
    I bought my 2001 TT turbo roadster 96,000 miles ago in Ohio. I was "working on the road" for some of that time/miles, so got service in various states/dealerships. In 2005, the EPC warning light came on, along with a grating sound and feel. The local dealer's Audi diagnostic computer said defective YAW sensor, which was changed. Same problem reoccurred in 2006 +/- 13,000 miles later, with the grating/jerking of the car being so strong at times that it can pull the car left into the on-coming traffic==life-threatening problem!! For the SAME car problem, various Audi diagnostic computers have called for changing the yaw/rotation rate sensor 6 times (changed 4 times), MAF (changed twice), and control module (=central ABS brake computer, connected to Yaw and other sensors). Control module changed. All changes but one done at Audi dealers, I told all dealerships the same story, all claim top-quality work and parts, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. Audi corporate (AC) refuses to stand behind the dealership work done that has cost me thousands out of pocket, time, danger driving, frustration--"take it back to the last dealership if you think their workmanship was defective". I feel AC should accept that if all their computers/service techs/parts are top notch (yet fail quickly), then there must be something basically defective in this individual car that AC should correct or replace at their expense. We have spent HOURS on the phone with customer service people at AC--all to no avail. I'm open to options and advice.
  • slip180slip180 Member Posts: 1
    I feel for you man, I have a 2001 225 Coupe and thankfully nothing major with it yet but it has only 65000k on it, what I would do is do major search on the internet and see if other people are having the same problem that you are, if you can prove it is a problem with the manufactoring of the car Audi normally dose something eg: timing belt they will pay for half of the repair if your timing belt gose and takes out your engine. Mabey drive with the ESP off for a bit by doing that you it might minimise how much the computer is checking the yaw sensors tho I am not sure, but warning she has a good amount of understeer if you take a some turns wrong, Other than that man good luck, I will ask a couple of my friends at Audi if this a known problem.
  • kimvetkimvet Member Posts: 1
    '01 Audi TT with 15K miles (sunshine only car) will start with the standard lights on the dashboard phase (eg everything's "OK") After driving for a while, though not everytime, those two lights pop up on dash. Basically I've ignored them but it just seems odd. I know there are no issues with the ABS for example, and suppose the car should be seen @ Audi. It's just pretty odd to me. Have heard the '01 models have electrical issues.
  • rrtisonrrtison Member Posts: 1
    Did you ever find out the cause of the battery drain problem with the TT?
  • kperesskperess Member Posts: 29
    It might well be a computer component. As Audi uses many of the same components as VW my experience with my '00 Passat may be of help. I kept getting an error regarding my ABS and it turned out to be a chip that dealt with the ABS -- was told that I might not want to keep driving without fixing as it could affect the ABS when needed most. The darned chip was not cheap -- cost over $500 but that's what you get when driving VWs and Audi's -- great handling and idiosyncratic repairs (BTW have owned many VW's, currently own an '00 and '04 Passat and am looking seriously at an '08 TT 2.0).

    Hope this helps

    Ken
  • joice2800joice2800 Member Posts: 3
    yes it was the altenetor was bad,
  • nospeakenglishnospeakenglish Member Posts: 3
    Hey there.

    Did you ever figure out what was wrong with it?
    I have the same problem but bit more complicated.
    The trunk, gas lid and the convertible top won't work as well as some of the inside lights.

    I have had the alternator changed in the past and have had problems with the battery draining too fast.

    Thanks!

    rob
  • nospeakenglishnospeakenglish Member Posts: 3
    please reply here.
  • joice2800joice2800 Member Posts: 3
    men i don't know the proble was the alternator tha it i'm sorry but i don't know what is :cry:
  • gbtaylorgbtaylor Member Posts: 1
    After fitting a new battery to my 2001 TT, the next morning when the key was turned the needles on the dashpod kept flickering for about two minutes and then stopped. After resetting the time etc. it was okay for the rest of the day but now this happens every morning.
  • digitoodigitoo Member Posts: 3
    For those of you that have had problems with your instrument cluster going bad and giving you false readings such as the gas gauge not reading correctly, false codes, etc, you are not alone. I had problems too with my gas gauge not reading properly after I bought a used 2001 Audi TT quatro roadster. I bought it in 2004 with 57,000 miles and less than a year later the gas gauge started acting irradically. I took it in to my mechanic who works on European import cars and he tested the fuel tank sender, etc (also my ABS and another warning light would come on and off sporadically). He suspected the cluster and said I had to go to the dealer (2-1/2 hrs away) to have it repaired and it would cost at least 1,000 or more to fix. That was more than I wanted to spend so I just used my trip meter to gauge my fuel and never went more than 300 miles without filling up. Then earlier this year I got a notice from Audi saying that there was a lawsuit against them and in order to settle the suit, Audi would replace the instrument cluster if your car had a certain vehicle ID# ending in XXXXX and your car was under 5 years from when it was put into service and you could prove that your cluster was bad. They would reimburse those who paid to have the cluster replaced and for those who had proof that the cluster was bad within those perameters, they would allow you to go to an Audi dealer and have your cluster replaced. I sent them proof of my cluster being suspected of being faulty and a few months later Audi sent me a letter to have my car fixed within 45 days. I took my car into the Audi dealership, thinking they were the experts and knew how to fix it, but I've had nothing but problems (more than before) since they put in the new cluster. My mechanic feels they did not clear the fault codes before putting in and programming the new cluster because my ABS and other warning light still come on and off at will. My fuel gauge even gave me a false reading on day. I was at a 1/2 tank and when I drove to the store and got back in my car it read between 1/2 and 3/4, then I drove to the next store and when I got back in it read 3/4. So far that has been the only time it did that, but the temp gauge reads anywhere from 1/2 (normal) to the line just to the left of it (2nd line) or sometimes just a little bit under the 2nd line. Audi has bad customer service when it comes to complaining about their work and want to pin it on anything but the new cluster. Anyway, the whole point is that Audi is replacing the faulty clusters (they did admit to using faulty clusters in their cars 2000 -2005) so I would suggest you google Audi instrument cluster lawsuit to see if you can get reimbursed or have your car fixed.
  • digitoodigitoo Member Posts: 3
    Did anyone have problems with their seat heater coming on mysteriously? I haven't used my seat heater all summer. A few weeks ago I was going to a seminar and thought my seat was rather "warm" feeling. I thought nothing of it and parked my car. Driving home I noticed that my seat was REALLY hot, as if it was set on the highest setting. I fiddled with the control knob thinking it might turn off on one of the settings but it didn't. I got home and felt the seat, it was really hot so it was not my imagination. When I went to get into my car the next morning it was DEAD!! I thought my seat heater "fried" the electrical system. I called AAA and he looked at it and he could smell an "electrical" smell in my car. He decided to jump start my battery (it was only 3 mo old) and it started. I drove it to my mechanic and he said that it was drawing power (the seat heater was not shutting off when the car was turned off). They took the fuse out to prevent it from doing it again. Has anyone had a similar problem and if so, what was the cause? I think it was related to my faulty cluster but my mechanic is not 100% sure about that, but thinks it might be a remote possibility. When I called the Audi dealer he said it was a faulty switch, but I never touched the button since last winter. Anyone else have the same problem??
  • zeusbullyzeusbully Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2001 TT that has had it's instrument cluster replaced 3 years ago, and has no signs of odd electrical problems. But I have had a message pop up ever time I start the car lately. The car has 102xxx miles and I feel this countdown "Service" message is mileage driven notification. It progressively says service in 1000, then 900, then 800miles, etc.. Until the 300mile mark. Now it says "Service!" upon starting only. I find no obvious issues, and I do work on the car myself when possible using the Bentley manual.
    I know there is a trick to push in both silvere posts on the gauges to erase service codes, but it only seems to do a self-test when I attempt this. Then still displays the predictable the next time I start it.
    Does anyone know if this is a serious issue? Should I just visually check the timing belt (also replaced 3 years ago) and erase the code?
    Any ideas??
    Much appreciated! :shades:
  • zeusbullyzeusbully Member Posts: 2
    digitoo:

    I've had no issues with the seat heater as you've described.

    Nor have I experienced the stuck trunk ot gas lid (to whoever posted that delimma).

    Sorry to be useless, but it's a response. LOL
  • kstigurakstigura Member Posts: 1
    window will not retract or exstend when door is opened or closed any ideas what problem is? 2001 audi tt
  • majoroak1970majoroak1970 Member Posts: 1
    Did your ever find out why your ABS warning and ! light up on dash as for the past 2 weeks after i have been drivin for a bit the same thing is coming up on my TT
  • MsAATTMsAATT Member Posts: 1
    Iit will be a year in a couple weeks since I purchased my 2001 Audi TT coupe and for that last 5 months I've been at the shop.

    Head gasket
    Timing Belt
    Radiator (then back again for the plug because I hit a bucket on the free and it emptied out the radiator fluid.ugh.... at 2:30 am :cry: )
    Water pump (exploded into 3 pieces) :mad:
    Switch for radiator fan
    Brake light sensor
    Plus couple other things that I cannot remember :sick:

    Today I was driving home and my battery light came one, along with the ABS and the Emergency brake light was flashing. Oh and some other light with a curvey thing and arrow on the dial for RPMs.

    For the past 2 months the fuel gauge frankly has not felt like working correctly so I've kept the mileage under 300 after filling up.

    One morning last month my gas, trunk and interior alarm buttons would not work. I have a manual but of course it was not in the car. Lucky that I had enough gas to make it to work. I called my mechanic and he told me how to manually open it and it's been working since (crossed fingers and silently praying it will continue).

    There was a mention to a letter from Audi about repairing something and now I know that I must find it the letter or google it.

    So any help on why the brake light flashes, abs and battery light in the center gage and the curvy arrow are on would be awesome.

    Best of luck to all

    Why does something so pretty not work correctly?
  • whitrwhitr Member Posts: 12
    I too have my brake light flashing, not all the time, but enough. I spoke with the dealership and they told me to not worry about it unless it stayed on solid (not blinking). Oh well. Mine is an '02 TT w/100k miles. Does anyone know what this is; at the bottom of my cluster in the center I have a message that stays on, 99:59h
  • bertolabertola Member Posts: 3
    i have the same problem i just changed the alternator, and the cars instrument panel is crazy, it seems like the battery is not being charged by the alternator, but is a new installed, can someone help me?
  • bertolabertola Member Posts: 3
    I just put a new s-line rims and new potenza tires, now is possessed my car is doing the same thing as yours, abs check engine light the odometer went out, all the light in the instrument went out, i replaced the alternator, and still my audi is not working, the battery died again, no fuses were blown, please help me
  • bertolabertola Member Posts: 3
    I HAve always kept in the garage my 2000 Audi tt with 72 900 miles on it, always babied, just for weekends, one day i was in the car and it suddenly stopped, they told me that the alternator was bad, i change the alternator and the battery, and the car is blinking the ABS, check engine, no odometer, no A/C and the engine was running fine, but after a while the engine died, and the battery was dead too, i check with the Audi Dealer at the MOMENTUM AUDI in HOUSTON TEXAS, they are the worst service in the dealer world, they treat you bad, with no mercy, just to steal your money!!, can someone help me with this problem :confuse:
  • ttmxerttmxer Member Posts: 1
    Seems I am having the same problem with our 2000 TT Quatro, did they find out what the problem was with yours? I cannot seem to keep the battery charged!!!! Any info appreciated, thanks
  • jennfennelljennfennell Member Posts: 2
    Ah, I had a drain in the stereo system of my 2000 TT. Audi was not helpful at all in fixing it - they replace the instrument panel but the problem persisted.
    I am thinking it was a short in wiring. Tested head unit, tested amplifier, tested CD unit, tested speakers - no dice. Tested amperage at the fuse box - it spiked intermittently high enough to cause a drain of the battery every 10 days or so. Since I knew it was in the stereo line, but just could not find it, I unplugged the fuse to the stereo when I was not using the car. Drove it that way for 2 years, no problem.
  • susanttsusantt Member Posts: 3
    I am having cluster problems..where are you located ? I am looking for a GOOD Audi dealer to do repair.
    Any thoughts on how to question them..I am in NYC but can travel to find a good dealer.
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