2001 S8

Well I now have the dreaded "immobilizer has failed" scenario. The only thing I can do at this point is go to the dealer, buy a brand new cluster and have them program it and reinstall.

I checked with BBA-Reman and the lady I spoke to seemed very positive about fixing my instrument cluster until I said "dead immobilizer". Her voice tone then turned to a "sorry you poor bastard" we can't do anything for you.

I've check all other possible issues; fuse, battery, water in ECU box. (that thing was bone dry) So I'm off to the dealer to set-up an appointment. It will take around 10 days before the car is done.

The other option I’m considering is to scrap-it, but I don't think I can bring myself to do that.

I'll post my decision/results.

Attached are a couple of photos of the old girl being carted off.

audinutt

I sincerely hope that you tried unplugging and replugging the instrument cluster connections.
This same issue happened to me and many others on their d2's and this resolved the issue.

Good luck,

-Richard

S8LEE

Please don't scrap such a nice car..I sincerely hope you can fix it cheaply.

2001 S8

audinutt: I'll check with my mechanic. He's pretty thorough but I'll see.

S8LEE: If audinutt's advice doesn't work, the dealer is the next step. BTW: the junkyard quoted me $450 for her. LOL

S8LEE

WOW. i'm in the wrong business. the junk yard would make thousands on it.
I'll take the decklid and the side view mirrors if they power fold..

jfrahm

Can't you get a cluster and ECU from the same donor (and a key, ideally)?

2001 S8

Huge thanks to Audinutt! Went to the car this morning, I pulled out the instrument cluster, unplugged, waited 30 seconds, plugged the three connectors back in and she fired right up. Drove her to work and everything worked as usual.

Don't know if this is a long term or short term fix but a win is a win.

2001 S8

This has been said before but the knowledge that is known and shared on this site is invaluable. I want to do what I can to pay it forward, below is the link to instructions on removing the instrument cluster. I've also included at pdf of the removal procedure for reference, in case in the future the link is broken.

Audi Pages

Once again a huge thanks to audinutt. Those two sentences you wrote saved me over $1500.

audinutt

It should be a long term fix.
Same thing happened on my A8L several years ago.
Went to lunch with my girlfriend (at the time.. now wife).
Walked her inside back to work. Jumped in car. turned key, noticed dash lights not all lit.

Proceeded to start car... fired and shut off. tried again... same.
I grabbed some tools I had, yanked the cluster and re-plugged it.


Problem solved.

-Richard

audinutt

Oh if you're going to scrap her, i'll offer $650 now that it's running

kidding..


-Richard