A6 Quattro - Int lights coming on when driving ?

[Hudson]

Hi,

Since it started to go frosty (ie just today) my interior lights on my A6 1999 2.8 Quattro just came on whilst i was driving down the road. Coupled with this the interior switch for locking the doors from inside also does not work. I can stop the car and get out and lock it.... the lights still stay on. I have to manually turn both front and rear lights off by hand to stop the battery draining away. Any ideas ?? I also found that i had trouble opening the drivers door this morning with the fob, although all other doors and boot opened ok.

[MACH1]

Possibly a faulty solonoid switch in the door locking mechanism,try removing the door panel and squirting with WD-40 if this fails an auto electrician should sort it out for you easy.

[grahamb]

Yes! Sounds like the same fault I have on my A6.

Mine is caused by a short circuit in the wiring in the drivers seat. If I go round right hand corners the light comes on, and goes out again when I straighten up.

I ended up unplugging the seat, which means I cant adjust it, and I'm not sure if the air bag still works (theres more than one wire connected to the seat).

I had weird problems unlocking the car too, with fuses blowing, and occasionally the drivers door wouldn't unlock though all the others would. And these faults all went after I unplugged the orange connected underneath the front of the drivers seat.

[lordlee]

can you tell me how the ownership experience is for your 2.8quattro as i am thinking of purchasing one shortly. av consumption, servicing etc. anything you think will be of help. TIA

[Hudson]

Hi fault seems to have gone ! God knows where, my neighbour (mobile auto electrician) says he has had a few A4's with a similar fault and it was traced to something called a ..... bugger forgot the name, it goes underneath the passenger foot well carpet and controls the interior lights and central locking if you can control it from inside the car. He says if moisture gets in there (from a leak) then it can cause probs. Not too sure, i will see how it goes.

[grahamb]

[ QUOTE ]

can you tell me how the ownership experience is for your 2.8quattro as i am thinking of purchasing one shortly. av consumption, servicing etc. anything you think will be of help. TIA

[/ QUOTE ]

Servicing costs aren't too bad if you avoid the stealers. Cam belt change was covered when I bought the car 2nd hand. I've had to fork out over £200 for a new thermostat though, then £2200 for a repair to the gearbox, then £700 on a new stainless system with replacement cats. Aside from that she goes like a train, tows beautifully, and drinks petrol like its going out of fashion. Great performance though, excellent engine the 2.8 V6. It has variable valve timing, variable inlet manifold length, 5 valves per cylinder, and revs round past 6000rpm. I'll be keeping my minter for a few more years yet, till she has 120,000 on the clock at least.

Just taken delivery today of my Mondeo 2.2 TDCI Titanium with all the bells and whistles. 155BHP, 300NM, 138 MPH top speed. Turbo Diesels have a lot more grunt when the turbo comes in, but I still prefer the 2.8 V6 for thrills. Cant beat a petrol engine when you want to go for a good thrash.