A3 Automatic Gearbox electrical problems

[Sly]

Hi, I returned to UK and my car that had parked for 4 weeks to find the battery flat. Jump started it and found several problems these being, FUSE displayed on the dash, automatic gbox 20A fuse blown, instrument cluster auto gbox 5A blown and a big 75A link on the battery blown. The RAC man replaced these and told me I must have connected the leads wrong to do this damage and he may be right, I was pretty knackered!

Anyway, once all these were replaced and all the fault codes reset the auto gearbox won't engage in any gear except 1. After the car has been left for 15 mins or so it works as advertised but is back to only gear 1 after a couple of minutes. So he towed me home.

Just tried it after being parked and battery charging overnight and it worked as advertised. Switched off then on and it won't reverse or go forward unless selected to 1 again.

Here's the fault codes I have from VAGCOM:


VAG-COM Version: Release 409.1-S
Chassis Type: 8L - Audi A3/S3
Scan: 01,02,03,08,15,17,22,35,37,45,54,55,56
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine
Controller: 06A 906 032 DJ
Component: 1.8L R4/5VT G 0001
Coding: 11530
Shop #: WSC 06435
WAUZZZ8LZ1A037619 AUZ5Z0YN063236
1 Fault Found:
18032 - MIL Request Signal Active (Check TCM for errors too!)
P1624 - 35-00 - -
Readiness: 0110 1101
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans
Controller: 01M 927 733 JJ
Component: AG4 Getriebe 01M 4827
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 00000
6 Faults Found:
00258 - Solenoid Valve 1 (N88)
36-00 - Open Circuit
00260 - Solenoid Valve 2 (N89)
36-00 - Open Circuit
00262 - Solenoid Valve 3 (N90)
36-00 - Open Circuit
00266 - Solenoid Valve 5 (N92)
36-00 - Open Circuit
00270 - Solenoid Valve 7 (N94)
36-00 - Open Circuit
01236 - Shift Selector Locking Solenoid (N110)
31-00 - Open or Short to Ground
The engine one will reset but comes back again once the car is started and attempted to be driven. When I try to reset the gearbox codes I get "00811 System Not Ready for Interrogation (Ross-Tech: Check Fault Codes Later)" and the fault codes remain. Yes I tried again later, many times!

I'm assuming I may have fried the Gbox ECU but don't know where this is, I've heard under the carpet on drivers side but I have a left hooker so will it still be on the right?! Also, where are the solenoid valves fitted and how do I check them individually?

Car is a 2001 1.8T A3 with AUM engine and FDC auto box (01M).

Cheers for any help...

Sly

[Sly]

Oh and I have submitted this on 2 other forums so don't be offended, just prove this to be the best place!!!!

[Sly]

Okay, I've pulled the carpet up both sides and all I can see is the airbag inertia switch under the front of each seat. Where is my TCM hiding?!

[Sly]

Bump?! Any ideas?

[kenney]

It's in the plenum chamber along with the ECU

[Sly]

Cheers Kenney, well I've broken my scuttle cover trying to get my welded wiper arms off but I'm in. Got three control boxes in there, one down near the pollen filter which I'm guessing is the ECU and two side by side in the centre. Which is which and how the hell do I get them out?!

Booked into an Audi specialist on Thursday if I can't sort it before then, not sure what I can do with the ECU myself before then, may have a look at the solenoid valves but I am thinking that because it works on and off, they're more likely to be working and it is an electrical fault in the little black box of magic?!

On the plus side, seats and carpets are back in!!!

[kenney]

01M927733LJ this should resemble the control unit part number it's the one to the right,i can help you with a fault finding electrical chart if it's any help

[Sly]

i can help you with a fault finding electrical chart if it's any help

Damn right it would be helpful!!! Yes please...

[Sly]

Thanks so much for the info Kenney, I carried out the electrical tests and the resistances for all the solenoid valves are within limits so I suspect the TCM itself and not the gearbox or valves. The lever lock solenoid resistance is low though so I'm gonna rip out my gear lever next and have a look at that.

VAGCom still won't let me clear the fault codes, still get "00811 System Not Ready for Interrogation (Ross-Tech: Check Fault Codes Later)" Is there a way to clear the fault codes manually, short out some pins or something?! Just wonder whether the presence of the codes is popping it into limp mode after a couple of mins?

Oh, and can you stop it from drizzling?!?!?!

[Sly]

Drizzle's gone thanks! I noticed on VAG-COM that if I go to recode in the Auto Trans channel it show all zeroes. You can see this on my fault log print above, should there be something coding?!

[kenney]

00811 i have never seen before i only use VAS equipment,the only thing i can think of is,it's because you can not delete the faults.The TCU must be coded and adapted to the ECU.I don't know the code as Elsawin refers to Vas.I posted the adaption protocol now,perhaps Vag,Com can assist with the coding,

[Sly]

Cheers for that, I'll have a play tomorrow and see if I can get a code from somewhere?!

[Sly]

UPDATE:

Car went into Audi specialist with online link to Germany and he's told me what I pretty much already knew. The TCM is at fault! Can't be recoded apparently? New one is gonna be £450 +vat +1hr labour to fit it!!! They're very cagey as to whether this will 'actually' fix it though and warn that once fitted it may show up other faults. I've gone for it but you have to wonder whether it's worth it on an 01M box with 125k miles, these things aren't renowned for lasting much longer than this!

Will let you know the end result...

Fingers crossed!

:(

[Sly]

Bit of feedback and closure, got the car back on Friday and all is good, the replacement TCM fixed it and my gearbox thankfully is fine. He charged £740 all in and that included a new scuttle cover, but at least it got washed while it was in there!

Thanks especially to Kenney for your help, hope this post is of use to someone else with similar problems.