vtraudt

Has anyone looked up the part numbers for
- door handle complete with sensor?
- just the sensor (inside the handle) if that is the part that fails (saves from having to repaint the handle).

Mine is a 2012 Q7 without chrome insert.

Looks easy enough to change the handle, and even the sensor (first few videos watched, and ebay search for cheap handles/sensors).

Pothole5000

The sensors in this handle are not replaceable, why is why Audi dumped the design and all the other cars have replaceable sensors.

You can spend $$$ getting new unpainted handles from Audi, or try your luck getting a used handle off ebay, but it will probably not work as they are just as old as yours.
Or just unplug them.

'10Q7TDI_Prestige'

It's a common issue. Spend big bucks to replace/repaint new door handles or you can simply unplug the door handle from the harness, etc. On my cars I've scanned car to see which doors are faulted for handles and simply 'depinned'/snipped the lead wire to the proximity sensor at the door pillar junction location. That takes literally minutes to do at each door impacted, and the automated door unlocking will work better than ever (and reliably) via a simple opening movement of the exterior door handle. You only need to address the handles that are ground faulted. Now, if the exterior door buttons are also grounded, that's when you have to unplug the handles from the harness, so as to stop the parasitic battery drain the grounded button creates. The proximity sensor inside the handle likewise creates a parasitic battery drain, so you want to be sure to address all handles that no longer function.

vtraudt

I have lost 3 of 4 with code 'short to ground'. If battery drain occurs, how 'fast' does it happen? Just want to know if I DO have the battery drain problem (and need to disable/disconnect).
The battery became weaker over time, replaced. But even now, when connector battery charger often only shows 50% charge.

Does it take several days to 'drain' the battery (causing no start)? Or is the drain lage enough to notice for example in one day?

-Wes-

Against a new battery, the drain should take several days or more to cause a no-start situation. However, it weakens the battery's capacity over time in fairly short order, causing the battery to fail in maybe 2-3 years, even with daily use/charging.

landragon

Would this explain why my doors furiously and continuously (like every second) lock themselves when the key is anywhere near the vehicle?