Just scheduled my 7500 mile service, and I told the dealer that (a) my remote range is approx. 3 ft. and (b) everyone says there's a simple fix (just run a new antenna in the rear bumper).<p>He said that (a) they are aware of the problem, (b) Audi has not informed them of a solution, and (c) I should simply hold my arm up to increase the range.<p>What's the deal here? Am I just getting a run-around?<p>I started to give him the part number (8D1 971 650A) of the antenna, and he said "Oh, you must be on the internet. Well, Audi hasn't blah blah blah."<p>Any ideas?<br>Thanks!<br>jcs

Where are you located? go to a different dealer if you can.

When I brought my Avant to Zumbach Audi for service I actually faxed them the service bulletin information in advance. When I picked up my car they told me that the problem was the batteries in my remotes. They then attempted to show me how it was fixed and had to get within 3 feet to get it to work. Some fix. Nevertheless, they also said they knew nothing of the service bulletin and that the car was designed with weak remotes for saftey reasons. Hah.

The service dept at my dealership has been great. But as soon as I mentioned a certain TSB to the resident Audi mechanic he came back with "Blah, blah...the internet...blah, blah, blah". I hadn't even mentioned the word "internet"! My reply to him was "Well, if you guys aren't going to give us the info, we have to rely on other sources".

Why is there such a difference is service of dealerships. Mine volunteered to fix the problem. The service manager even called the fix a "kit" infering that Audi packaged the parts that way. RAISE HELL!

Can something be done against such dealerships? Like tell it to AoA, so they could be penalized or something... But I have found that AoA does not really care that much, once the car is bought. I would think, though, that they better get their dealers and services up to par, if they want to compete with Beemers and MBs, Lexuses (Lexii?) and Acuras, oh my...

The TSB for the remote range problem has been scanned and posted to the image poster. See<p><A URL="http://131.107.68.28/a4org/AudiTSB1.jpg">http://131.107.68.28/a4org/AudiTSB1.jpg</a><br>and<br><A URL="http://131.107.68.28/a4org/AudiTSB2.jpg">http://131.107.68.28/a4org/AudiTSB2.jpg</a><p>Peter Sharpe<br>98 1.8TQMS Brilliant Yellow<p>

:)<br>

Your Audi tech, most likely, has a taste for fine German wine...did you give him a bottle?....if not, that is your problem...My suggestion, make friends with a good Audi technician. :-)<p>Steve S.<br>97 2.8QM

thanks!<br>

My dealer also refused to...so I called an Audi customer advocate at 800-822-2834 and they called the dealer and told them to do it for me. The Audi dvocate I used was named Michelle, ask for her...<p>Good Luck,<br>Mike 1.8TQM-Wett Yellow