JohnnyJ A6Q

Hello All, just thought I would share this info for anyone who has or had this problem and gave up.

Shorted Switch Lights

My problem was that the lighting for all the A/C ducts dials,the headlight switch, and the push button switches within the brushed aluminum trim such as park tronic, rear screen, ESP, MMI screen up/down, and the card holder were all out along with the blown fuse for same, so after many hours of back feeding each area one at a time it lead to the passenger arm rest compartment LED wiring.

See all pics below...

mishar

Wow. That was not easy to find. Do you have an idea what caused that? Probably it can happen on the other side too?

TSHong

How Many hours did that take? I've got to do some investigating myself because my right side fog light is inop. Now power coming to the light so I will have to trace down an open circuit. Just many things to do on the list.

JohnnyJ A6Q

No Mishar it was not easy, I was just about to remove the dash ducts but saw that all the duct dials were not working including the sides and rear, so I removed rear A/C no luck, then a little light went on in my head (umm are there led lights in these armrest, Cool), I fed juice to the drivers side armrest led circuit board as I looked in the armrests compartments and there it was, the passenger side had no light.

As to what caused it, well the wire in it's black casing just hangs there in the air, as can be seen in the picture of the driver side armrest disassembled, each wire is toward the center support for both armrest, by not being tied down or any kind of support, it just found it's way into the gear of armrest mechanism.


As to it happening again, must definitely, that is why I tie strapped mine down as to take up just the right amount of play as to not reach the gear, but not bind it self.


Hello Thomas, it took me IIRC from 6 ish pm until 3 am all put back and wiped down.
And I had a huge

mishar

I like the method. It's never too late to learn something.

TSHong

Much respect to your skills. Trust me I've hired and fired a lot of auto technicians the past twenty years.

FlyTyinFool

I applaud your tenacity, JohnnyJ.

I absolutely hate chasing electrical gremlins. I'm usually not successful, in the end.

I appreciate your post, if only to get a sense of triumph from someone else's victory. It reminds me to look for the small bit that's out of place, or not quite right, in order to begin moving toward a solution. I use that all the time at work. Good job!


Carry on...

JohnnyJ A6Q

Thank You All

Hopefully someone who has this problem will find this helpful.

I wonder how many time this has happened....

JohnnyJ A6Q

I am still wondering.....

dvs_dave

I think you might have a bite here
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2836932