MEDEL514

So there's a Euro Spec 1997 Audi A8 4.2L Quattro that I'm looking at buying. The guy said it's been sitting for a few months and had a dead battery, so I took a battery from my car over there installed it into the A8, and the car still wont start, no lights on the dash, no hazzards, nothing electrical works. We then proceeded to check all of the fuses. I found some fuses in the trunk passenger side cubby where the battery mounts, found a couple more under the ECU panel in the engine bay, and finally found the fuse panel under the passenger side footrest carpet. All of the fuses were good, including the big fuses, but the car was not getting any power to anything! We then tried to jump the A8 with my car, but still nothing at all.

Also, the car is OBDII, correct? I brought my scanner but couldn't find the OBDII port anywhere, but it wouldn't have done any good with the no power issue....

What else am I missing here? I've owned plenty of Audi's over the years, but never an A8, and I'm noticing that this car is very advanced for its age. Any help would be appreciated.

silverd2

There's a major terminal block in the front right fender well that is prone to corroding with age, salt, etc >>>

quattroworld.com Forums: Might be the 12v terminal behind the front right wheel.

albundy3670

Check the negative battery cable that connects to the frame by the starter. Mine got gunked up once and car wouldn't start, read some old posts and figured it made sense and was worth taking a look. (After swapping batteries and ignition control switch and modules going thru the fuses etc...!) Cleaned up the connection and car has started since. Hope that helps!

twentysevenlitres

ODBII connection on a Euro PF is most likely under the front ashtray - the ashtray removes easily via the small switch beside the cigarette lighter.

MEDEL514

This is a Euro Spec A8, so the battery mounts in the trunk in the passenger side cubby. There's a couple fuses back there and a relay, then, all the cables and wires disappear as they run under all the carpets. I'll check the connections and try to get to the once behind the passenger front wheel. Also, is there some kind of battery immobilizer on these cars?

twentysevenlitres

The cable junction being referred to is a power distribution node where the battery cable goes. It sits on the front chassis rail behind the fender liner roughly in line with the front axle.

There no factory battery immobiliser or isolator. There is the engine immobiliser (which may or may not have been fitted to North American cars - but will be fitted to rest of world). This will not effect the operation of the cars electrics in any way. It will even let the engine start - for about 2 secs!

MEDEL514

ok, this is the power terminal block that you and silverD2 are referring to?

silverd2

Uh .................................. Yes

wow

MEDEL514

Just to update the tread, I was going to go back to his house to troubleshoot the car, but found out that his wife traded in her Nissan Morano and the Audi A8 for a new Volvo, so they're not selling the car anymore. #sadface

twentysevenlitres

There's plenty around, even in the UK (I assume?).
If you're still interested in one, I'd suggest you try to find a 3.3tdi. It's a common rail V8 turbo diesel, very advanced for its time, with great tuning potential.
Torque figures on tuned versions rival the W12!