I stopped by today to schedule my 7500 mile maintenance. Asked him about the Remote Range fix, said they would check it (wasn't sure if my car was made after the fix date). I also asked about reprogramming the Control Module. He first had a confused look on his face, then I explained what I wanted (window down on remote, etc) and he mentioned it may be illegal.<p>Are other dealers doing it illegally, or are they mistaken? Has anyone gotten their control module repogrammed there?<p>Has anyone had any problems with service there?<p>I've only had to bring my car by once, shortly after I got my car, the brake switch which releases the shifter (automatic) broke and I couldn't move the shifter out of park and hence no driving :) Had to get the car towed, but it was ready when I got back from my business trip. (Figures, broke 2 hours before I had to catch a flight)<br>

I don't know if it's illegal, but the fact that it's not standard on US cars is probably more due to the liability issue. I think Audi is afraid of being involved in a lawsuit if someone is injured by you opening/closing a window when you're a distance away.<p>

They did do a reprogram for a friend of mine, but will not do the windows. It seems that it is taking MULTIPLE visits for them to get things right. It took 4 visits for them to do a heated mirror replacement for someone.

They did reporgram mine control module to one touch open/close locks, locks automatically all doors when 18mph is reached, unlocks all doors when turn ignition off.<p>However, they didn't want to do the Window up/down because according to them, Audi would not allow them to do that change.<p>He explained that the remote has very few codes, and that is very likely that your remote will open somebody else door (and that's why the short remote range), so even if you unlock somebody else door, it will lock back automatically after 60 seconds (if the door is not actually open) but that is not the case if you lower their windows by accident by lowering yours. Liability stuff, I guess. Or maybe a big eleborate excuse because they don't know how to? Who knows.<p>Sergio.<p>98.5 1.8TMS / pearl<br>

I have no idea why they would say that coding your control module is illegal in the case of making the windows roll up and down from the remote. It would be illegal for you to re-program the ecu to modify anything that has to do with the emmissions of the car. <p>When doing the research on the articles I put in the FAQ regarding reprogramming your ECU, we spoke with one of Audi's Regional Managers. He didn't mention a thing about it being illegal or even that Audi doesn't want it done. He did mention, though, that since it is a modification the owner of the car should expect to pay for the service, and that warranty would not cover the programming. (That does not mean that coding voids your warranty, rather the coding really shouldn't be free.)<p>Some dealers will make excuses for anything they don't want to do. Instead of trying to be a service oriented dealer, they just stick their heads in the sand and try to forget that technology marches on. I feel lucky that my local dealer is so performance minded. The techs love it when my car is in the shop 'cause they love how the chip makes it feel. My dealer even does aftermarket parts installation on the some of the cars before they go on the lot.<p>The new BMW 3 series is even more 'programmable' than our Audis. The car recognizes ach key and you can determine if you want a myriad of different things and program the car to change seat position, radio presets, and even daytime running lights! <p>You should give the dealer service dept a bad CSI rating when Audi calls you. I think it's crazy that they won't perform the coding for you. Find a new dealer.<p>JohnS<p>

Illegal is too strong a term, but my dealer did say they had the right to void the warranty because you are making a non-U.S. modification on a U.S.-spec car. (So much for informing them when/if I decide to "chip" my A4!) He said I would have to sign some sort of "waiver" form, which I wasn't about to sign of course, and that they would charge me an hour's labor fee ($65) for what he freely admitted was 5 minutes work ("We're trying to discourage it."). Rather than argue their rights and responsibilities vs. my rights as a consumer , etc., I just gave up.<p>BTW, whenever I say to anybody in any place of business that I learned of something (e.g., product recalls) via the 'net, I get that "Don't believe those facts; take MY word for it!" look.

Heishman's, Alexandria, VA: took 10 mins., gave me no problem, asked me to sign nothing, made no service record, just did a nice job in a helpful way. Some of these dealers are real prima donnas...

I am getting my remote range fixed (finally! been working on them for a month now!)<br>He said that he could do the door unlock change to the remote, but that the window up/down thing is illegal. When I asked him about it, he didn't explain. Sounds like Audi put the word out to the dealers about this mod.<p>I think Illegal is not the right term. Audi may have told all the dealers that they don't want it done for safety/liability reasons, but that's not the same as illegal.<p>Doug M.<br>98.5 2.8

In Houston, my Audi service advisor said that the reprogramming is not free. The cost is $70.<br>It includes all options including the window rolldown, etc. He mentioned that the dealer suddenly gets alot of requests to do this reprogramming thing because of the Internet.

I had Heishman's install the remote locking package at the dealership. They even offered to reprogram for the automatic up/down feature at the same time.<br>

I had mine done last week during the 10K mi service. No hassle and no charge for the work at Heishman's. I now have remote window control, auto door lock at 15 mph and auto unlock when key is removed from ignition.<p>Matt Gillis<br>98 1.8TQMS Wett

Hey Everyone,<p>The A4 Club of Vancouver has an arrangement with Cowell Motors (Audi of Richmond) so that members who take their cars in for routine maintainence can have their remote coded for free (they have to plug in the VAG anyway), Otherwise, it's $20 or something.<p>This is after Cowell talked to the Audi rep and said that it would not affect warranty. So . . .<p>Later,<p>James Wu<br>A4 Club of Vancouver<br>1998 Black/Onyx 1.8tqa<ul><li><a href="http://avant.extreme.com/va4">A4 Club of Vancouver</a></li></ul>

that it could be done. I gave Steve, the Svc. Mgr., a copy of the FAQ on it to keep for reference in case others asked. So I'm glad you've benefitted from it.