Safe Mode

[ottyavant]

I have an 03 avant, manual, stock w/ 130K. Only exterior mods, nothing to the motor.

I've been looking through the forums the majority threads that comes up is "safe mode" for the radio. My issue is "safe mode" will appear in the odometer upon start up, I ran the VAG and there are no fault codes. The car will start up than dies. I will have to leave the key in for about 30sec let it recycle than try it again.

Can someone please point me in the right direction. I've taken it once to 034 motorsport but they cannot find anything wrong since it doesn't throw a code. Of course it didn't do anything when my car was there. If anyone has any experience with this issue please let me know. I would like to compile a list of possibilties to have a shop check out.

Thanks

Alex

[alpinestar180]

does the "key" light in the instrument cluster go off once you start the car?

[Pr0n]

Sounds like your keyfob needs to be re-programmed or your immobilizer is malfunctioning. It should actually log it in VAG-COM as well.

[ottyavant]

does the "key" light in the instrument cluster go off once you start the car?

Nope I just started it up, I also re-programmed both my keys today. Today it started off fine, but it's tempermental. So frustrating!

AL

[ottyavant]

Sounds like your keyfob needs to be re-programmed or your immobilizer is malfunctioning. It should actually log it in VAG-COM as well.

I will have my buddy run the VAG today, hopefully it throws a code and I can get this taken care of. Appreciate the response

AL

[A4SoftWalker]

Have u tried locking and unlocking the doors with the key fob when this happens?

[rollerton]

Your engine module should log the "engine start blocked by immobilizer" error.
The most-likely culprit in the case where it is very intermittent is the immobilizer pickup-coil located at the ignition switch. Easy to replace. It should have nothing to do with the radio.
In the top left part of the cluster look for the little car/key icon- since you have and 03' it's possible you have a TPMS: tire/! icon there instead. If you have the car/key light, then keep an eye on it when you turn the key each time. If it blinks then the Imo system is kicking in- it should come on, go out and stay out.

[ottyavant]

Have u tried locking and unlocking the doors with the key fob when this happens?

Nope usually I'm in the car, I will try this if it happens today. So far so good, it always happens when I'm in a hurry to get somewhere.
AL

[ottyavant]

Your engine module should log the "engine start blocked by immobilizer" error.
The most-likely culprit in the case where it is very intermittent is the immobilizer pickup-coil located at the ignition switch. Easy to replace. It should have nothing to do with the radio.
In the top left part of the cluster look for the little car/key icon- since you have and 03' it's possible you have a TPMS: tire/! icon there instead. If you have the car/key light, then keep an eye on it when you turn the key each time. If it blinks then the Imo system is kicking in- it should come on, go out and stay out.

That does make sense, Hopefully I can get my buddy to VAG my ride sometime today. My car does not have TPMS, Hopefully it's just that, but if there is anything else you can of please let me know. My car is going into the shop for some scheduled maitenance work I would like to have them check out all possibilities, it was in for an oil change a while back, the shop VAG the car and again it did not throw any codes, just weird

Thank You

AL

[claudiovagkraft]

I'll have to agree with the rest of the gang, this sounds like an immobilizer issue. Have you ever dropped your keys or recently? If so it could be that you damaged the Immobilizer chip in the fob. From researching the key fob upgrade, if you damage your immobilizer chip when moving it over to the new key fob your car will not recognize it and put itself in safe mode.

[A4SoftWalker]

Nope usually I'm in the car, I will try this if it happens today. So far so good, it always happens when I'm in a hurry to get somewhere.
AL

When it happens to me I lock and unlock sitting in the car (Friend's 2003 Avant 5-spd too by the way. Forget what tune is on it but it is stage 1. )

Most I had to do it was 3 times once.

Not too sure of a more permanent fix.

[treedodger]

I need help on this too!

My 2002 developed this problem with the immobilizer today. It runs for a couple seconds before dieing, w/ a flashing immobilizer light (car/key idiot light).

I cleared codes and disconnected (then shorted the batteries for 30second). It started and ran, but the little flashing car/key light flashed, and the hazard lights started flashing (and I couldn't turn the hazards flashers off). I turned it off, and tried to restart, but it only ran for a few second before shutting off, w/ a flashing immobilizer light.

I scanned for code and got the following (see below).



2 faults found:

01176 - Key
07-10 - Signal too Low - Intermittent
17978 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs
P1570 - 008 - Please Register/Activate - Intermittent
[17978/P1570/005488 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer]



Looks like either the induction coil for the immobilizer is failing, or the wires going to it.

Anyone have experience with this problem, and what is the most likely fix?
Do you know what the partnumbers are for these parts?

Thank! (I'm stuck driving my old pickup truck until my audi becomes trustworthy again...)

[rollerton]

1. Was your key working fine perviously, no trouble?
2.Do you only have the ONE key? If so you'd better try and get another key made.
For the majority of the population there is NO way around using the dealer for dealing with Immobilizer/ key programming.
Seriously, don't start asking "what if xxx!? How come xxxx !?!? " - THERE IS NO WAY AROUND THE DEALER.
Put the key in, turn to ACC position, watch the Immo light. If it does not turn off and STAY off, turn the key back off, remove it, wait a few seconds and try again.
If nothing works you can replace the pickup coil yourself, no programming needed. If that doesn't work, head to the dealer, bend over.



***ok, There is ONE way around the dealer. Remove your cluster and send it to Tom ( Mpower ) to retrieve the SKC. Then get VCDS and program yourself.
Otherwise, head to the dealer.

[treedodger]

Thanks for the help.

The key was working fine a few minutes earlier. I didn't drop it or dunk it.

Yes, the car only came w/ one key, and the dealer had trouble getting the duplicate keys to work...so I gave up and have been very protective of my ONE key.

I'll double check the wires tonight, and maybe resolder the crimps.

One comment I found on the net indicated that the pickup coil was not available separately from the ignition lock. I may try to find a used ignition lock and swap out the pickup coil to see if that helps. If not, I'm afraid I'll have to visit the Dealer. They quoted $300 for a spare key. I'm afraid if they need to replace the ignition lock, the price will double.

[treedodger]

Success! My key works again...but I'm still holding a grudge against the immobilizer.

While searching the net I found a solution that worked (on a VW TDI forum):

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.p...3&postcount=14

All I had to do was try to start the car, then leave the ignition on for about 10 minutes (the Immobilizer idiot light stopped flashing and went out). After that is started, no problem. Saving me a flat bed tow and an expensive dealer visit.

This was a case where the fault code (01176 - Key 07-10 - Signal too Low - Intermittent) was completely misleading. Damn you Audi.

Owning an out of warranty Audi is definitely a love/hate relationship....just before this happened I was thinking how well my A4 had been behaving at 95k miles, and how I was planning on keeping it for another few years.

[rollerton]

Don't be surprised if it's not over yet. If you do have a somewhat weak pickup-coil or something wrong with your key then you haven't fixed anything.
If you have only one key you'll be screwed someday when you least expect it.
I sent my cluster to Tom ( Mpower ) he read the SKC for me, sent it back. I installed it and now I have FOUR working keys and have never been to the dealer.