camowagen Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 ive wanted an A8 for a while now and ive finally bit the bullet and bought one after selling my camper. i aquired a silver 97 A8 2.8 sport, 71000 miles, full audi history, lady owner and i love it after years of camper driving. the only thing is i have found a few faults after a week of ownership, ok it was a reasonably cheap car but as you cant get a haynes for it i dont know where to start so if any kind people on here can give me a few pointers it would be greatly appreciated. first is the aerial wont go up and down, it only makes a horrible noise (probably goosed) the cruise control doesnt work. curtesy light on rear door doesnt come on when the doors opened, and i cant find the switch. n/s mirror doesnt retract (probably goosed also) plus should the heated mirrors work automatically (unless they were an option that i dont have) as they dont seem to work also. and finally i need an o/s/r seat belt in grey as if you unbuckle it, it causes a fault in the airbag system. i would prefer not going to audi for this as i know it will very exspensive but will if one doesnt surface. not bad for a car ive only owned a week, but i dont really care as its in very good condition, the interior is mint and above all its mine and i love it. cheers nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillBlank Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 (edited) Welcome to TSN, lovely chaps here who know a lot more than me. Where to begin. The aerial of mine did the same thing after a month of owner ship. Lot's of lubricant (grease) got it moving again but it has the same noise still. Yours may not be as dead as you think. Mirrors here: http://www.tyresmoke.net/forum/audi-a8-s8/33741-dodgy-folding-wing-mirrors.html and here: http://www.tyresmoke.net/forum/audi-a8-s8/20511-heated-mirrors.html HTH, start saving for a V8, you know you want to. Bill Edit: Very big recommendation of a8 parts mentioned below. They are great guys with an impressive depth of knowledge of these cars. Edited November 3, 2008 by BillBlank Forgot A8 parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted November 3, 2008 Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 Cruise control.. Run the switch on the front of the control stalk back and forward a few times to make sure any gunk is cleaned off it, then see if it works (also make sure it's not just left in 'off'). Switch for courtesy light should be in the handle/light unit somewhere, compare it with the other side, maybe someone's knocked the switch bit off. It could also be just that you're expecting heated mirrors that do somethign exciting. All the VAG cars I've ever had of that kind of age have crap (read waste of space) heated mirrors. The wife and I both had Passats at the same time, hers a 2000 and mine a 2001 (the facelifted model) and you could see the difference, hers would take ages and there would be steam off mine in seconds (was the same with my previous Passat). :: Welcome to A8Parts.co.uk - We only do Audi A8 Parts & Cars! :: is the place to go for your seatbelt (and maybe to rectify some of your other issues), no doubt Ian will be along soon anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camowagen Posted November 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 3, 2008 thanks for the tips, i will endevour to sort these probs out as time and money allow, she needs 2 tyres now but i have managed to do a deal with a local tyre bay owner, i need a pair of 18's and he wants my carrera road bike so its a straight swap. one job down, plenty to go... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Welcome to TSN Nick Oh OK ... looks like you've got all the answers. I'll just be on my way.... no seriously though just a couple of bits to add to whats been said already: Are you sure unbuckling the seat belt is causing the airbag warning light? there is a connector (one each side), under the rear seat which can come loose and trigger the Airbag light. Whip of the bottom part of the seat, (easy two bolts at the front) and check those connectors - this happended on my 2.8sport a while ago. The courtesy lights use the locking mech. to work IIRC. You have to remove the door trim to get a proper look at it. Mine aren't working either but have just lived with out them (have been meaning to do but never got around to it). You may as well try opening up the aerial for a closer inspection (OE one cost around £170 I think!), but I've replaced mine with a himmershmen (spelling) which works just fine. You've already got my post about the folding mirror problem and yes the heated mirrirs should come on automaticaly - have a quick look to see if someone hasn't replaced the mirror glass and not refitted the elecy connector. You'll find more info here: audipages Home Oh and a workshop manual is elsawin and ebay is your friend+++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camowagen Posted November 4, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 it seems to be the reel part of the belt as its showing an open circuit. if you unbuckle it and slowly let it go back in it goes most of the way without a problem until about the last foot of belt when the light comes on. if you leave it clipped in its ok, must be part of the pre tensioner circuit or something. the mirrors dont look as if theyve been touched so i will give them a closer inspection, if they arent working i might just replace the glass. cheers for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saturbo Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Do all models have the folding mirrors? If so how do I operate them? Mine is 98 2.8 Sport Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted November 4, 2008 Report Share Posted November 4, 2008 Turn the Mirror switch (on the wood handle bit of the fr drivers door) beyond the left position with the ignition on or car running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saturbo Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 Nice one - I'll give it a bash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IT_S8 Posted November 7, 2008 Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 it seems to be the reel part of the belt as its showing an open circuit. if you unbuckle it and slowly let it go back in it goes most of the way without a problem until about the last foot of belt when the light comes on. if you leave it clipped in its ok, must be part of the pre tensioner circuit or something. the mirrors dont look as if theyve been touched so i will give them a closer inspection, if they arent working i might just replace the glass. cheers for the advice. Yup, sounds like the pre tensioner part to me. There is no connection in the buckles on the rear in 1997.... Wouldn't be the first one to go either, we've seen a few... We've got a 1997 2.8 Sport in here with 76000 miles on it and its condition is astounding. The leather on the seats is still soft and the interior really looks like new... If yours is in similar nick I imagine its a really nice car. This one doesn't drive though sadly, where I'm sure yours does... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camowagen Posted November 7, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2008 it is in really good condition with light grey leather which is very comfortable. the bodywork is good with only a couple of knocks on the bumpers which need to be touched up, but as its got no parking sensors its done quite well. i paid a little bit over the odds for it but it ticked most of the boxes as i wanted a silver 2.8 sport with low miles and a light interior but not cream leather and the light grey in it looks really nice so i bought it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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