A6 Recall, a little investigation
03-25-2004, 07:54 AM
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A6 Recall, a little investigation
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6relay.jpg"></center><p>Ok, so I'm not in close proximity of any dealers. The closest are between 1 and 3 hour drives and have been incompetent servicing my cars.
This car is a 2000 A6Q 2.8 5-speed manual.
I began by reading the NHSTA summary on the recall
"ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PHYSICAL CONTACT OF THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE CRASH ELEMENT WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT."
So I took apart the lower dash panel area.
http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6dashlower.jpg
I removed the headlight switch and disconnected the headlight wiring harness.
Where the harness passes over the relay panel and under the instrument panel support ( number "L22" printed on it, circled in picture below ), I find wear in the wrapping of the bundle. ( Hard to see, but see the white arrow in the following url.)
http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6relay.jpg
This is due to a very rough edge on the instrument panel support. Several places on this edge have jagged sharp protrusions. If my car had this sharpest of these edges in contact with the wiring bundle, it would probably have already burned. Luckily my bundle was in an area where the support was less dangerous. When reassembling the lower dash I added foam padding between the instrument panel support and the wiring bundle.
If anyone else has any more facts about this recall and where specifically to look for trouble, I'd be glad to hear it. For now, I feel better knowing the instrument panel support metalisn't digging into the wiring on my car.
The pictures are pretty grainy, but better than none.
This car is a 2000 A6Q 2.8 5-speed manual.
I began by reading the NHSTA summary on the recall
"ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PHYSICAL CONTACT OF THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE CRASH ELEMENT WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT."
So I took apart the lower dash panel area.
http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6dashlower.jpg
I removed the headlight switch and disconnected the headlight wiring harness.
Where the harness passes over the relay panel and under the instrument panel support ( number "L22" printed on it, circled in picture below ), I find wear in the wrapping of the bundle. ( Hard to see, but see the white arrow in the following url.)
http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6relay.jpg
This is due to a very rough edge on the instrument panel support. Several places on this edge have jagged sharp protrusions. If my car had this sharpest of these edges in contact with the wiring bundle, it would probably have already burned. Luckily my bundle was in an area where the support was less dangerous. When reassembling the lower dash I added foam padding between the instrument panel support and the wiring bundle.
If anyone else has any more facts about this recall and where specifically to look for trouble, I'd be glad to hear it. For now, I feel better knowing the instrument panel support metalisn't digging into the wiring on my car.
The pictures are pretty grainy, but better than none.
03-25-2004, 08:02 AM
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A6 Recall, a little investigation (with pictures added)
Ok, so I'm not in close proximity of any dealers. The closest are between 1 and 3 hour drives and have been incompetent servicing my cars.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6relay.jpg">
This car is a 2000 A6Q 2.8 5-speed manual.
I began by reading the NHSTA summary on the recall
"ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PHYSICAL CONTACT OF THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE CRASH ELEMENT WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT."
So I took apart the lower dash panel area.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6dashlower.jpg">
I removed the headlight switch and disconnected the headlight wiring harness.
Where the harness passes over the relay panel and under the instrument panel support ( number "L22" printed on it, circled in picture below ), I find wear in the wrapping of the bundle. ( Hard to see, but see the white arrow in the following url.)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6relay.jpg">
This is due to a very rough edge on the instrument panel support. Several places on this edge have jagged sharp protrusions. If my car had this sharpest of these edges in contact with the wiring bundle, it would probably have already burned. Luckily my bundle was in an area where the support was less dangerous. When reassembling the lower dash I added foam padding between the instrument panel support and the wiring bundle.
If anyone else has any more facts about this recall and where specifically to look for trouble, I'd be glad to hear it. For now, I feel better knowing the instrument panel support metalisn't digging into the wiring on my car.
The pictures are pretty grainy, but better than none.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6relay.jpg">
This car is a 2000 A6Q 2.8 5-speed manual.
I began by reading the NHSTA summary on the recall
"ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PHYSICAL CONTACT OF THE LEFT DRIVERS SIDE CRASH ELEMENT WITH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WIRING HARNESS COULD RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT."
So I took apart the lower dash panel area.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6dashlower.jpg">
I removed the headlight switch and disconnected the headlight wiring harness.
Where the harness passes over the relay panel and under the instrument panel support ( number "L22" printed on it, circled in picture below ), I find wear in the wrapping of the bundle. ( Hard to see, but see the white arrow in the following url.)
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/58558/a6relay.jpg">
This is due to a very rough edge on the instrument panel support. Several places on this edge have jagged sharp protrusions. If my car had this sharpest of these edges in contact with the wiring bundle, it would probably have already burned. Luckily my bundle was in an area where the support was less dangerous. When reassembling the lower dash I added foam padding between the instrument panel support and the wiring bundle.
If anyone else has any more facts about this recall and where specifically to look for trouble, I'd be glad to hear it. For now, I feel better knowing the instrument panel support metalisn't digging into the wiring on my car.
The pictures are pretty grainy, but better than none.
03-25-2004, 08:12 AM
#3
I wouldn't recommend trying a self-fix. If there is a fire, Audi could claim you caused it....
or at least contributed to it.
I know, I know..... better to fix and sleep better at night. But heaven forbid <I>something</I> happen, they could easily attempt to claim you were at fault. Sometimes our legal system really sucks.
I know, I know..... better to fix and sleep better at night. But heaven forbid <I>something</I> happen, they could easily attempt to claim you were at fault. Sometimes our legal system really sucks.
03-25-2004, 08:28 AM
#4
I would probably put some kind of sheath over it if possible.
You know the flex tubing for routing wires, that is slit along one side, so you can slip it over wires? Foam is a good idea too. Perhaps make sure it is the non-static type?
Still take it in for the fix when it is available, but for now it will give peace of mind to some degree anyway.
What's interesting is how few cars overall seemed to have burned up to this point (don't know the reporting rate) - and that they've been in rotation for several years before this came to light as a pattern.
Still take it in for the fix when it is available, but for now it will give peace of mind to some degree anyway.
What's interesting is how few cars overall seemed to have burned up to this point (don't know the reporting rate) - and that they've been in rotation for several years before this came to light as a pattern.
03-25-2004, 08:32 AM
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Re: I wouldn't recommend trying a self-fix. If there is a fire, Audi could claim you caused it....
If I had to depend on an Audi dealer to repair every broken electrical component, I wouldn't own any Audi's. They have always needed attention, and the dealer maintenance I have encountered has not been up to the task.
I don't expect that this will be the only time I'll have to fix something electrical on this car. In fact, I expect this to be one of the worst Audi's I've ever owned due to it's electrical complexity.
I can't wait for the wires to start failing in the drivers door hinge, that's really going to be fun!
Don't get me wrong. I really like this car and it's features. I just don't have any great expectations based on my experiences with older models.
I don't expect that this will be the only time I'll have to fix something electrical on this car. In fact, I expect this to be one of the worst Audi's I've ever owned due to it's electrical complexity.
I can't wait for the wires to start failing in the drivers door hinge, that's really going to be fun!
Don't get me wrong. I really like this car and it's features. I just don't have any great expectations based on my experiences with older models.
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03-25-2004, 08:52 AM
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Re: I wouldn't recommend trying a self-fix. If there is a fire, Audi could claim you caused it....
<center><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~jw38/wsb/media/90701/site1021.JPG"></center><p>You have that right! Audi is claiming that the fire in our A6 began "outside" of the vehicle! If that's the case, why is only the INSIDE of the vehicle (and the engine bay) burned to a crisp?????
