Just bought a 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro. Need some advice.

[ak0913]

Hello Fellow Audiziners,


I just bought my first German car and it happened to be an Audi.


The vehicle runs great but it came with a few issues.

Here's a little about my Audi and then I'll move on to the issues that I am having:

2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro
128,000 miles
Timing belt replaced at 117,000
Oil change done at 127,900
Spark Plugs changed at 127,900
Battery Replaced at 127,900
Vehicle purchased for $1,800


I bought this vehicle about 2 weeks ago. The car runs great but I have noticed that the ESP light comes on from time to time and goes away when I restart the car.

I am getting about 14-15 miles to the gallon right now and I know that the car can put out way more than that. I have tried the Seafoam treatment and I think it might be helping but not much.

My right blinker likes to blink left before it begins blinking right (if that doesn't make sense, I can post a video on youtube and link it here.)

I only received a single key with the vehicle. The key fob does not lock or unlock the doors. I can open and close manually but I would love to have that keyless feature again. I did swap out the battery on the key fob but unfortunately I have had 0 luck.

I believe the transmission fluid needs to be changed on it but I need to educate myself on how to change it first before I go through with.

Any help would be appreciated. I'm glad that I have finally left Japanese Vehicles behind and become a part of Audi. These cars are wonderful.



Thank you,
AK0913

[blitz2190]

you'll need to scan the abs module for codes for the esp light, to fix your key fob(anytime it looses power) get in the car close the door and put the key in the ignition, turn it to on but dont start the car and hold the lock button on the key fob for 2-3 seconds and you should be all set. Also get a new key as they are expensive if you need to be towed in to have a new one matched up if you lose the old one. As for the transmission make sure you get the correct fluid that meets audi specs, can't remember it off hand.

[ak0913]

you'll need to scan the abs module for codes for the esp light, to fix your key fob(anytime it looses power) get in the car close the door and put the key in the ignition, turn it to on but dont start the car and hold the lock button on the key fob for 2-3 seconds and you should be all set. Also get a new key as they are expensive if you need to be towed in to have a new one matched up if you lose the old one. As for the transmission make sure you get the correct fluid that meets audi specs, can't remember it off hand.

Thank you for the fast response. Should I purchase a VAGCom in order to scan the ABS module? I will make sure to get a new key made pretty soon. I called the Audi Dealer, they said that it is going to run about $400 to get a new key.

For the Transmission fluid, Is it an easy process? Me, coming from japanese vehicles, usually always have a drain plug on the transmission. Is there a filter that goes inside the transmission? I forgot to mention that this Audi had the Automatic Triptonic 5-speed tranny.

[SJorge3442]

Thank you for the fast response. Should I purchase a VAGCom in order to scan the ABS module? I will make sure to get a new key made pretty soon. I called the Audi Dealer, they said that it is going to run about $400 to get a new key.

For the Transmission fluid, Is it an easy process? Me, coming from japanese vehicles, usually always have a drain plug on the transmission. Is there a filter that goes inside the transmission? I forgot to mention that this Audi had the Automatic Triptonic 5-speed tranny.

Vagcom can be purchased for $200 nowadays and that gives you the ability to scan up to three distinct VAG cars. That cable will allow you to scan your ABS modules and check for issues. Im thinking its faulty and needs a rebuild, but that can be done for under $200 (i think) through many vendors. The VCDS cable will also allow you to pull all of the neccessary information to program your own keys. All in all, its $200 and you'll be able to pull your codes, check data, and code your keys for well under that $400 the dealer quoted.

[BumblebVR6]

Vagcom can be purchased for $200 nowadays and that gives you the ability to scan up to three distinct VAG cars. That cable will allow you to scan your ABS modules and check for issues. Im thinking its faulty and needs a rebuild, but that can be done for under $200 (i think) through many vendors. The VCDS cable will also allow you to pull all of the neccessary information to program your own keys. All in all, its $200 and you'll be able to pull your codes, check data, and code your keys for well under that $400 the dealer quoted.

You can't code keys w/ VCDS. Try putting the key in the ignition and turn to acc mode (dash lights up) for five seconds, remove the key and hit the unlock button (or lock, can't remember of the top of my head). The hazard lights should flash if the key was recognized.

[SJorge3442]

You can't code keys w/ VCDS. Try putting the key in the ignition and turn to acc mode (dash lights up) for five seconds, remove the key and hit the unlock button (or lock, can't remember of the top of my head). The hazard lights should flash if the key was recognized.

Not directly in VCDS but with a combination of other software you can. I forget the process, but I know Imnuts has the whole SKC retrieval and key coding steps listed in his signature still.

[ak0913]

You can't code keys w/ VCDS. Try putting the key in the ignition and turn to acc mode (dash lights up) for five seconds, remove the key and hit the unlock button (or lock, can't remember of the top of my head). The hazard lights should flash if the key was recognized.

I tried that method but it did not work for me unfortunately :(

[SJorge3442]

Just saw the line about the wrong turn single blinking. This is a faulty turn signal stalk. You need to source a replacement. I believe I put a b7 stalk in my car. Pretty straight forward install.

[ak0913]

I really appreciate all of you guys for helping out. I will purchase a VCDS cable soon and turn one of my laptops into a complete diagnostic laptop.

I will look at getting another stalk for the car and definitely getting another key replacement so that way I have atleast 2 keys.


My buddy has an 2001 Audi TT and he has like 5 key fobs for the thing. Should I consider trying one of his key fobs out to see if it will program with my car?

[blitz2190]

it wont, they are a one time program, if you buy one it needs to be a new "virgin" key or chip

[ak0913]

Is it require to go through the dealership? I have found some keys on ECS Tuning.com or do you think ebay might have some goodies.

[Matt Devo]

My buddy has an 2001 Audi TT and he has like 5 key fobs for the thing. Should I consider trying one of his key fobs out to see if it will program with my car?

it wont, they are a one time program, if you buy one it needs to be a new "virgin" key or chip

Is it require to go through the dealership? I have found some keys on ECS Tuning.com or do you think ebay might have some goodies.

there's two parts here: pairing the fob with the CECM, which handles locking/unlocking, and pairing the RFID chip with the instrument cluster, which handles the ability to start the car.

You can pair any compatible fob via VCDS without any extra tools, but only certain part #s work with certain CECMs (has to have same frequency / FCC ID); your TT fobs may or may not be compatible (IIRC, the older 2-button fobs are *not* compatible). You can buy a new fob w/electronics from Amazon for $25 or so, and I have friends who have done so successfully. Then you need the key cut and the RFID chip as below.

For the RFID chip, they are a 1-time pair, so you have to buy them new (~$10). To pair with the cluster via VCDS, you also need the shared SKC (5-digits) from the ECU and cluster; other tools like VAG K+CAN Commander can retrieve this for you, and this process is well documented in other posts.

[rocket1420]

You can't code keys w/ VCDS. Try putting the key in the ignition and turn to acc mode (dash lights up) for five seconds, remove the key and hit the unlock button (or lock, can't remember of the top of my head). The hazard lights should flash if the key was recognized.

When I did this, I held the unlock button, THEN put the key in the ignition and turned it to accessory for five seconds, all while holding the unlock button. It works after that, but something is wrong with my module because it doesn't retain that memory for long (hours, maybe a day or two).

[ak0913]

there's two parts here: pairing the fob with the CECM, which handles locking/unlocking, and pairing the RFID chip with the instrument cluster, which handles the ability to start the car.

You can pair any compatible fob via VCDS without any extra tools, but only certain part #s work with certain CECMs (has to have same frequency / FCC ID); your TT fobs may or may not be compatible (IIRC, the older 2-button fobs are *not* compatible). You can buy a new fob w/electronics from Amazon for $25 or so, and I have friends who have done so successfully. Then you need the key cut and the RFID chip as below.

For the RFID chip, they are a 1-time pair, so you have to buy them new (~$10). To pair with the cluster via VCDS, you also need the shared SKC (5-digits) from the ECU and cluster; other tools like VAG K+CAN Commander can retrieve this for you, and this process is well documented in other posts.

Great information!!! Thank you!!!

- - - Updated - - -

When I did this, I held the unlock button, THEN put the key in the ignition and turned it to accessory for five seconds, all while holding the unlock button. It works after that, but something is wrong with my module because it doesn't retain that memory for long (hours, maybe a day or two).

I'll give that a try again but so far i have had no luck :/. Thank you for your reply.

[ak0913]

So a little update on my Audi fellas. The transmission decided to take a shit. I picked up a parts car for the transmission and just got done stripping everything from the car. If you fellas need anything, you can always message me. I won't charge you dismantle prices, you give me a price of what part you want and I will negotiate from there. It always feels great to help someone out, as long as you guys can pay for the shipping, I'm sure I can let most parts go for really cheap.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3000 using Audizine mobile app

[ak0913]

Update: I decided to go into the dealer and just buying another key, that way I have a spare.

As for the ESP issue, I happened to swap out my battery and the problem disappeared which is weird.

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