When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I Have a 2009 Audi Q7 3.6L which will not start and we can not remove the key from the ignition. We had the J518 module refurbed by clusterfix however we have had nothing but issues trying to get the car to start. After 2 failed attempts at my local indie shops the car is now at the dealer. They are telling me because the can not communicate with the J518 the car will require a replacement steering column with a minimum cost of $3300. They are also saying that $3300 may not fix the problem. My question is can I purchase a complete ECU, speedo, Key etc ( see eBay listing below ) and avoid having to have the dealer recode the car? Any other ideas on how to fix this?
Always, always fully scan the car and look for battery related issues in trouble codes/parasitic drains from handles, etc., before going all-in on replacing everything. I'm on my third scantool now (Ross-Tech VCDS), as I found I needed the best one out there for this car, so I could 'overcome' problems, as well as know what is actually wrong, and/or have a support mechanism (Ross-Tech Forum/get help) when needed for the more difficult items to figure out. The other two scantools work fine still (OBD-Eleven/Autophix 7610), but don't allow me the access required to resolve module problems, which I've done with my VCDS setup. Take nothing for granted; all trouble codes are important. Oh, and don't trust your car to Audi dealers for repairs; they really like to replace entire unit assemblies...may not be anything to do with your problem, but that's what they recommend.
"I started off with nothing, and still have most of it left" - the story of my life.
Thanks for the tips. Any idea if changing the whole ecu/key system will work without a trip to the dealer for coding.
im assuming since the key, ecu, door lock, j518 all match on the eBay set it shouldn’t matter what the original problem with my system is. Everything involved with the key would be replaced.
There is a step to reset the ECU to communicate if the J518 is acting up. You can access a limited number of modules but not all. See the videos in my post below. Once you get VCDS to talk to the ECU's Key Auth Module, you can clear the code and pull the key out, or even start the engine. Since the micro switch problem begins intermittently, and then gets gradually worse.
If you have not yet purchased all those components, how about fixing the steering column module? I replaced 3 micro switches plus an electronic shop soldered a new relay on there for me. Fixed the problem. Find plenty such kits on eBay. Looks like they are about $50 USD plus $20 shipping from UK.
BTW, what exactly did clusterfix do? When I ohmmed the micro switches one (I think of the two that are close together, not certain now) had unreliable connection once in a while, but cleared up after I exercised it. Putting everything back the problem came back a couple of weeks later. That was when I ordered the kit form eBay. Fortunately the microchip in there with the key fob information was still good, and so was the motor.
There may still be a chance to salvage the repaired unit by putting in a repair kit from Europe.
For now just go through the reset procedure and see if you can get the key out and also try to start the car. I would not drive the car out because I do not know how this thing will fail while you are driving (for example, will it lock the steering column?). We were fortunate that the failures all occurred at home, and we just took another car.
The good thing is pulling the steering column the second time was much faster.
Last edited by Steelcoil; Apr 8, 2022 at 02:14 PM.
New Audi A6 Allroad Is The Market's Coolest Wagon: 9 Things to Know
Slideshow: Audi's latest A6 Allroad gets RS-style fenders, real off-road hardware, and enough personality to stand out in a market obsessed with crossovers.
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Slideshow: Audi has recreated one of the wildest machines of the pre-war speed-record era, reviving a streamlined V16 racer that originally exceeded 200 mph in 1935.
2009 3.6L Key stuck in dash no comm. with J518
Oh, and don't trust your car to Audi dealers for repairs; they really like to replace entire unit assemblies...may not be anything to do with your problem, but that's what they recommend.
