We have an intermittent ESP activation. Local Audi dealer can't seem to locate it, and I'm essentially disgusted with them anyway on another matter, that I'm not headed back. So, could this be the anit-skid computer? Any other thoughts. Tire wears and pressures are normal, etc...

We're on an '03 AR 2.7

 

did you just have you car aligned?

 

We have not Paul. Tire wear appears normal, but would you recommend an align?

 

not yet. but your symptom sounds like the steering angle sensor is off a bit.

This can happen after front end work or an allignent or if the sensor is bad.

The system may think you are turning when you are heading strait and uses the ESP (ABS) to try and steer you back. Or while you are turning it thinks yo are about to slide and agian pulses the brakes to get you back.

There is a vag procedure to simply 'rezero' the sensor. But you need a VAG COM cable and software to do it.

 

There is a tech bulletin that says you need to upgrade to newer ESP version software/control unit. Did this on my '03 a couple years ago. Fixed everything!

 

Here is my post on the fix from March 2006:

ESP Issues Resolved!!! (Long)
Finally, it appears that my '03 allroad ESP issues have been resolved. Several folks on this forum have also experienced ESP activation for no apparent reason, usually when going about 45 mph on sweeping curves. There were no diagnostic trouble codes recorded, and we were told that everything was normal. Yet we knew something was wrong. At times, by re-zeroing the steering angle sensor, the problem would go away for a while. Well, it turns out that Audi issued a technical service bulletin (#A45-04-01 ESP Premature Intervention) back on November 30, 2004, to address this very issue. In short, the TSB states that if after ensuring alignment, tire pressures, and steering angle sensor are all set properly, the problem still exists, then the ESP control module needs to be replaced--if the module version on the allroad is D55 or earlier software. Mine was D55. Apparently those early software versions were full of bugs. The new replacement module which was installed today is now version 68. After replacing the module and recoding it, the problem appears to have been resolved. One issue did crop up while the dealer was recoding the new module: Apparently my allroad has different factory brakes than most '03 allroads. So Audi tech support told my dealer to apply a different Vag-Com code for my brakes while recoding the ESP control module. So if any of you folks that have had this ESP problem are still under warranty, go to your dealer and get it fixed. It makes all the difference!

 

Ok, I'll see about borrowing a cable and a box witht the SW and zero out the sensors. Sounds like the place to start. If not, it sounds like the module is the way to go.

How do I determine what brake set is on our '03 AR. Was there a s/n break for the different sets?

thanks

 

I do not know how to tell; my Audi dealer did all the work. All I can say is that it was the best fix ever! I had really been frustrated with the ESP. No issues since--and that has been over three years ago.

 

03 is the 2 pad caliper. The 02 started the change from the 4 pad to the 2 pad caliper.