SC.A6

Today when I was about to drive to the store, I started reversing a little bit and they worked fine. Then a "new" beep came on, and they just stopped working. The beep was on for a few seconds and that's when I noticed that the light on the PDC button was flashing.

I drove to the store and when I was gonna park there, they still didn't work and I just got that beep and blinking light. It's been like this all day.

Does anyone know what is causing this, how to fix it etc?

When I get some time over, I'm gonna get a VAGCOM log to see if there is anything there...

tenspeed

I would start with checking the electrical connections to the sensors. Plug/unplug several times to clean the contacts.

SC.A6

Just came back from the car, the VCDS scan told me this:

Address 10: Park/Steer Assist (J446) Labels: 4H0-919-475-7X2.clb
Part No SW: 4H0 919 475 L HW: 4H0 919 475 C
Component: PARKHILFE ACC H07 0043

1 Fault Found:
1112324 - Front Right Center Parking Aid Sensor
B10F9 04 [008] - Internal System Fault
Intermittent - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 2
Reset counter: 206

I actually cleared the fault code and tested the PDC, it worked for half a second before I got the strange beep and blinking light again. So I guess it's a real problem.

This really could have waited, I have spent loads of money this month already, and I'm going on a trip in a week. Wonder how much this is gonna cost me...

Calimus

I think the list for roughly $143 from the stealer. Far less on E-bay if you want to try that route.

SC.A6

$143 with the install?
I visited my local Audi place today. They said it would be AT LEAST €600 (over $600). They were not mechanics but "desk people" and they didn't even know what car I have, they just shouted that price as soon as I described my problem. They also said that Vagcom/vcds scans and fault codes are "wrong".

Im gonna visit another place tomorrow...

snagitseven

Those guys sound like a bunch of know-it-all jerks. Find a better dealer or, better yet, a good Audi indy specialist shop if you don't want to try and fix it yourself.

SC.A6

No kidding, I was so disappointed with the service.

Anyway, I was not sure what the exact problem was, so I did some testing.

I thought a fuse may have been blown, or the controller for the sensors was dead, or something.

I parked my car against a wall, connected my laptop to the car and then cleared the fault codes in VCDS. When I started the PDC, I saw the screen for a split second and noticed that all sensors except one of the middle ones were seeing the wall in front of the car, so I guess the one that didn't alert me about the wall has to be the broken one.

This means I can confidently order a spare sensor and either try to fix it myself (I'm downloading service manuals as we speak...) or just leave the car and the new sensor at some place and have them installed for much less than €600.

Does anyone know if the sensors really have to be painted? Because the Audi-people I spoke to told me it has to be painted in the same color as the car. Is this true?

John Simcox

Sounds like you have a solution and from what I read elsewhere it is not a difficult fix. Sensors are painted as they sit in the fender but it is not difficult to do, just do not put too much paint on and remember if it is a metallic or pearlescent finish it will need a clear coat over the top

mikem33

Hi,

I had a similar issue when my car was new, and it turned out to be an intermittent short on the wiring harness to the bumper. Dealer replaced the sensor, only to have problem reappear the day after I picked the car up. They ended up repairing the wiring harness.
You can take the chance and order a sensor (it will probably be the issue) or for confirmation swap two sensors on the bumper and make sure the problem follows the sensor if you want to be absolutely sure.

SC.A6

All right, I have good news!

I ordered a sensor on ebay, it arrived today. I managed to replace my broken sensor without even dismantling "the whole front of the car" like the service guys at Audi told me they would have to do.

I just removed the little grill(?) on the left side of my car and managed to get my hand in enough to replace it.

So I finally ended up paying less than €45 to fix this, when both Audi service guys I spoke to wanted at least €600. I'm happy.