S4 Nightmare - advice needed

[mjd02]

Hi,

help required with my S4 nightmare.

Bought S4 Avant from Audi maindealer - ex demo, with only 2000 miles on it (regd Jan 2005).

Then in Oct last year the nightmare began.

The car developed a fault whereby the fans activate themselves about 30 mins to an hour after the car is parked up for the night, this usually happens in cold damp weather and after the car has been used for short trips of no more than 6 miles.

This fault then drains the battery and the car id 'dead' in the morning. No central locking, nothing !!

The car is now in for the 5th time at the same audi dealer (not the same one as the one I bought it from).

So far they have had my car for around 30 days since October and have replaced the battery, fan-control unit and a relay - but the problem still occurred.

It is now in for the 5th time and, reading between the lines have said that the only way to completely erradicate the issue is to replace all engine control units. However, they are unwilling to do this as there is noe 'error code' and they'd have to pay for it.

Am at the end of my tether.

[gizze]

Get on to trading standards and say you have given Audi UK (not the dealer) what you consider to be more than ample time to fix this fault and they have not done it, therefore you are returning the car as it is not suitible for the job intended.

Gat a full refund and start over again, if they try and say you have had a few months use out of it you can send them a bil for your lost time because of the faults, make sure it comes to more than they try and deduct from the original sale.

Also say you are more than happy to give them a week to find a replacement car with the same spec etc. as you do want a car, but one that works.

I do hope you have spoke with Audi UK, if not then do this first.

Good luck.

[mjd02]

Thanks - have you had any dealings with Audi UK Customer Services before - any recommendations ??

[doogal1972]

You could always make your point quite loudly in the dealership on a saturday morning when the place is full of punters. maybe try that first if you haven't already. or there is the Audi UK route of course. Good luck with it!

[lmmlmmam]

I'd avoid that route Very unlikely to get the desired result especially in the long term.

Getting Audi CS involved on the other hand is a good plan. I can sympathise with the dealers position especially considering that they are not the supply dealer. Audi CS should be able to authorise them to replace whatevers needed to resolve the issue.

I hope they get it sorted. The S4 is an excellent car and it's a big shame to have your enjoyment ruined by electronics gremlins.

[mjd02]

Thanks - Audi CS are now in a 3 way loop between themselves, the supplying dealer, & the repairing dealer. I have refused to take the car back (they haven't been able to replicate the fault) and my hire car has been extended until Monday. Watch this space !!

[Ari]

Speak to Audi Customer services first.

Then (depending on their advice) speak to the dealer about the possibility of rejecting the car due to it being not suitable for purpose (ie won't start in the mornings sometimes) and their having had more than enough opportunities to correct.

Keep it calm polite and friendly, you want them helping you, not putting their backs up. Stress that you don't want to get rid of car, but is no good as is.

You should find Audi CS will help out though, once a major fault has been attempted to be rectified three times without success it takes on a priority status.

[mjd02]

Thanks Mr Mafioso,

they are now in the loop - hopefully they will foot the bill for new engine ECUs. If not, then I'm going to ask for a replacement / my money back as it's definitely not fit for purpose.

Good luck with the Cosa Nostra.

[JasonP]

Had the very same problem with my 2003 S4 a couple of months ago, fan stayed on for hours before dying on a Friday nite. Audi rescue came out (RAC), couldn't fix problem (suprise, suprise) so towed the car to local dealer on the Sat am. Audi rescue arranged a hire car (brand new A6) which was elivered to me Sat @ 11am.

Problem was due to a small hole in one of the radiators which had blown the ECU, local dealer replaced all the radiators and ECU's, was in with them for 3 days.

Not sure if it was engine ECU's or just radiator ECU's they replaced if indeed there is such a thing as a radiator ECU!!!

The local dealer, Swindon Audi, were very good but I think this was due to the fact that everything was co ordinated by Audi customer service who were superb.

Contact Audi hq would be my advice.

Good luck

[Tizzy]

Audi CS (Patricia Massey) and my supplying dealers MD got involved with my ongoing S4 issues, and sorted pretty much everything very quickly. If you bought the car under the Audi Approved used scheme, there is a right of rejection clause in there - I think it's only in the first 30 days, but sounds like your problem was there from supply. Good luck & let us know how you get on!