Temperamental Advanced Key

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Smithy37

Thanks for posting on this thread as I still haven't had a satisfactory conclusion.
I just want to know why I have to replace the ignition switch, if it is a problem with the door. Is this something that you have experienced?

It isn't that I doubt what you say, but an ignition switch would be a warranty job and I know what the dealer will ask me 'what do I base my facts on?'

Please come back and answer as I would love to solve this problem without having to purchase VAG COM and spend hours sitting in the car trying to get a fault code.

This issue was discussed and solved by TSB 2012785/5
(You base on TSB 2012785/5 which is a known advanced key problem by Audi)
AudiWorld Forums: Advanced key range issue

[Smithy37]

Hi Otto,

Thanks for replying back to this thread.

I looked at the link to the other forum and must confess to being just as confused as before. I see two people seem to have experienced this problem and it seems to have been resolved by replacing the ignition switch. However, my worry lies with the lack of evidence to support this. Our problems do look very similar but I know my dealer will be reluctant to order a part in and replace the current unit without the relevant fault codes. My problem seems to be very intermittent, although at present the SOB seems to be present most of the time. I wonder though, whether they did look for fault codes or just pressed the button on the remote and thought, that worked fine.

Also, on the thread it has a lot of references to 'TSB 2012785/5'. What is that?

Please reply as I feel I may be close to licking this.

Mark

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Smithy37

Hi Otto,

Thanks for replying back to this thread.

I looked at the link to the other forum and must confess to being just as confused as before. I see two people seem to have experienced this problem and it seems to have been resolved by replacing the ignition switch. However, my worry lies with the lack of evidence to support this. Our problems do look very similar but I know my dealer will be reluctant to order a part in and replace the current unit without the relevant fault codes. My problem seems to be very intermittent, although at present the SOB seems to be present most of the time. I wonder though, whether they did look for fault codes or just pressed the button on the remote and thought, that worked fine.

Also, on the thread it has a lot of references to 'TSB 2012785/5'. What is that?

Please reply as I feel I may be close to licking this.

Mark

Mark,

My dealer (US) likes to fix all problems I found. I have never had "my dealer will be reluctant to order a part in and replace the current unit without the relevant fault codes". You can show the 'TSB 2012785/5' to your dealer (UK) who can check your VIN and find out your car is one of them.

I hope you and your dealer can locate this problem and solve it.

Otto

[Smithy37]

Thanks for replying Otto.

I know why I am getting short change from my dealer, it boils down to this being an intermittent problem. I appreciate he doesn't want to dedicate man hours to something that will probably be none existent due to 'Murphy's Law'.

All I am trying to do is save him time and cut down on my inconvenience for having to drag the car backwards and forwards.

I now know what TSB stands for, it is a code for an Audi 'Technical Service Bulletin', for which I assume all known faults are logged.

I will arrange an appointment with my dealer and quote the TSB number and will report back, hopefully a satisfactory conclusion.

Thanks for everyones help.

[Smithy37]

Right, I spoke to a friend who happens to work as a salesman for Audi. I would have used him before but he lives and works in Jersey, and I don't

I gave him the TSB reference but it didn't appear on the European Audi Bulletin Board. However, he did a bit of digging for me and armed with my VIN No., managed to find the European reference code. The Technical Product Information number for this fault is 2013277/1. (Found on ElsaPro)

Faults found are as follows:

For Chassis numbers up to 4L*7D033200
Check the plugs and wiring of the R47 ariel module of the side window and the ignition lock for correct installation. If a soldering point has fallen off, replace the window.
If the cause cannot be located this way, replace the ignition lock.

For Chassis numbers between 4L*7D033200 & 4L*7D054502
Check the plugs and wiring of the R47 ariel module of the side window and the ignition lock for correct installation. If a soldering point has fallen off, replace the window.

Sorted then?...... Not So....

When I quoted all of this to my dealer they went all defensive and instructed me they could not go off somebody else's say so and would need to do their own investigation. Fair enough if my dealer had done a thorough investigation when I first reported the fault. This report was published in November 2006, after all. It would have saved me having to fault find!

I have the car booked in for the 19th of May, so I will hopefully report back positively.

Thanks for everyones help. You are all Hero's!

[Otto]

Mark,

My dealer replaced new batteries in my advanced keys. He told me the voltage of battery should be more than 3.2v while one of my key is 2.8v and another one is 2.6v.

After he changed them and told me a way to sync the key with the car -- put your key into ignition and start the car and press "unlock" on your key.

You can give a trial -- hope this sync can let your car and key talk to each other better.

Otto

[Otto]

Mark,

You have to replace the antenna.

Here is the link

AudiWorld Forums: X 2. We had the same problem. After replacing the main antenna it worked fine. Just recently.......
Otto

[Smithy37]

Success at last!

Picked up from the dealer yesterday and all problems have been resolved.

My car has a new drivers door handle (this solves the locking by the button issue) and a new ignition lock (this solves the intermittent remote key problem).

The door handle had to painted to match the car, so it took two days to solve, but I am now a happy bunny.

They also gave me an A4 convertible as a courtesy car and the sun shone for two days!

Thanks again for all of your help.

I just wish my dealer had spent a little longer looking into this issue the first time I took the car in. Still, all's well that ends well.

Mark

[paintguy67]

I am having a similar problem with my 2007 Audi A6. The "advanced" key does not get recognized by the car every time and I have to use it as a "standard" key in order to start the car or lock it. When trying to start the car using the start button, I get the message "No key recognized". I've only had the car for 8 months and the remote buttons work fine, so I am sure it is not the battery. Any hints at all would be helpful as I dread taking it back to the dealer as the problem does not occur every time.

[Smithy37]

Hi Paintguy,

The problem you are experiencing is very similar to what I had in many ways. I suggest it will be the ignition lock that need replacing, or the window where the ariel is located.
Ring your dealer and ask them to check the list for known faults on the A6, regarding the advanced key. You will need your chassis number when you ring. It may take a bit of gentle persuasion, but you should get a result.

If they don't play ball, reply to this thread and I will use my contact in Jersey to search the list for you.

Mark