'16 Audi S5 Dynamic Steering Error - HELP!

[doggydog2002]

Ugh. Drove on a rainy day only to end up blessed with a "Dynamic Steering" warning light the next morning. To be clear, I drove in heavy rain, but not in standing water. The car was not flooded or in an accident or anything.

Two days post rain I was able to get under the car and remove the control module and associated plugs. One of the three plugs had 2-3 drips of water on the connector pins, plug side - not control module side. The other two plugs were bone dry. The inside of the control module was bone dry. There was no sign that water had penetrated the control module. It looked perfect on the inside.

I used compressed air to dry the plug and pins on the plug that appeared wet (VW AG 4G1972871D). I then let it sit for a substantial period to allow any possible moisture dry out. I plugged everything back up and scanned the car with VAGCOM:

Address 44: Steering Assist Labels: 8K0-909-144.clb
Control Module Part Number: 8K0 909 144 P HW: 8K0 909 144 B
Component and/or Version: RCEPS H43 0510
Software Coding: 100000010001
Work Shop Code: WSC 06324 000 00000
ASAM Dataset: EV_RCEPSAU48X 008018 (AU48)
ROD: EV_RCEPSAU48X_008.rod
VCID: 3E73DD56A1D6217621-806A
1 Fault Found:

1052420 - Internal Control Module Memory Check Sum Error
B2000 49 [137] - Internal electronic failure
[New feature! Extended UDS fault detail is only supported by
current gen. interfaces]
MIL ON - Confirmed - Tested Since Memory Clear
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00000001
Fault Priority: 1
Fault Frequency: 1
Mileage: 98811 km
Date: 2020.09.04
Time: 06:48:57

Write only channel

I've seen many other posts about water damage leading to a steering rack replacement. Some of those involve some nasty weather with snow and cold temperatures. My situation is not similar. I'm wondering if there was a slight fluke when the poorly designed control module connector allowed for water penetration and now the error is stored in ROM and can't be cleared with a VAGCOM?

Note: I did try steering re-calibration (re-calibrate G85), clear all DTC's numerous times, and even disconnecting the battery for some time. Code is still there.

My questions:

Is there a way to clear the steering assist code that VAGCOM can't seem to clear?
Has anyone successfully confirmed if the module alone can be replace (and if so, what are the things to know about part numbers and reprogramming)?
Why the h are these plugs mounted on one of the lowest parts of the drivetrain vulnerable to water splashing??


Any assistance would be appreciated!

[SSSSS5]

My questions:

Is there a way to clear the steering assist code that VAGCOM can't seem to clear?

If the problem goes away, yes. If the problem is still current, so is the code. There is no way to "permanently delete" codes in VAGCOM.

Has anyone successfully confirmed if the module alone can be replace (and if so, what are the things to know about part numbers and reprogramming)?

Yes you can, and from what I have read, 9 times out of 10 its the steering rack, or module on the bottom of the steering rack (8K0 909 144 B). Your software is at Rev "P" so thats good, but I believe Audi is up to Rev R now, could be higher. The lower rev levels were more problematic.

Check out this video. It was the most informative, no BS video I could find about our steering racks.

Why the h are these plugs mounted on one of the lowest parts of the drivetrain vulnerable to water splashing??

Yeah, thats pretty dumb. There's a plastic belly pan that is supposed to protect it but those rip off like a foil yogurt lid. My car was just in my slanted driveway parked, during a mild rain storm on a 75 degree summer day. 2 days later when I went to start it I got the same errors. Perhaps it just shit the bed being a 7 year old module, I have no idea...but it is a pretty well documented flaw that drives owners batty. Good luck.

[2by2handsofblue]

So I assume the module needs to be replaced. Do u have to take out the steering rack?

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[SSSSS5]

So I assume the module needs to be replaced. Do u have to take out the steering rack?

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

Module is on the bottom of the rack, held on by 8 T25 torx bits. You do not need to take the whole rack out to remove it. What I am not clear on is which of the two (actual rack, or module) is the more common failure.

[doggydog2002]

An independent shop confirmed what I already discovered and suggested a new rack. The cost is $2064 for the part alone. They say it would be tough to get just a control module and there’s risk that the module would have issues being programmed. I’m not really sure how all that works.

I have 61k miles and feel that it’s ridiculous that “The Truth in Engineering” brand has a steering rack that allows water ingress so easily. I have an appointment at Audi for them to scan the code and suggest a new rack- at which time I plan to try to get support from Audi of America in covering the costs.

[2by2handsofblue]

There has to be a way to fix it. Take it to a indy shop for a second opinion

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[doggydog2002]

Sad to say the Audi dealership quoted me 3500 for parts and labor. After getting that quote I called Audi customer care to explain that a steering rack shouldn’t fail at 60k miles on a 4 year old car. It’s not only an engineering flaw but potentially a safety issue. And it’s crazy that they won’t sell just a control module if the control module is all that’s needed.. Audi customer care denied any assistance due to the fact that I’m out of warranty. I’ve asked for a second review... we’ll see.

In the mean time I’m trying to figure out a more affordable fix. I’ve seen some say they have changed just the control module and some say they just changed some of the wiring that shorted. Does anybody know the feasibility of this? How to get just the module or just the wiring? The wire I think I would start with is 4G1972871D. Thats where I found a drop of water near the plug two days post rain...

[2by2handsofblue]

Sad to say the Audi dealership quoted me 3500 for parts and labor. After getting that quote I called Audi customer care to explain that a steering rack shouldn’t fail at 60k miles on a 4 year old car. It’s not only an engineering flaw but potentially a safety issue. And it’s crazy that they won’t sell just a control module if the control module is all that’s needed.. Audi customer care denied any assistance due to the fact that I’m out of warranty. I’ve asked for a second review... we’ll see.

In the mean time I’m trying to figure out a more affordable fix. I’ve seen some say they have changed just the control module and some say they just changed some of the wiring that shorted. Does anybody know the feasibility of this? How to get just the module or just the wiring? The wire I think I would start with is 4G1972871D. Thats where I found a drop of water near the plug two days post rain...

Let's hope the second option is much cheaper.
Those are stealership prices. It should be cheaper at a indy shop.

we are the borg! resistance is futile.

[SSSSS5]

Just got my rack repaced...

Found a used RS5 dynamic rack on eBay for $550 shipped.
Indy shop charged me $700 to program and install.

Hard pill to swallow but at least it didnt also come with a $2000 kick in the nuts from the dealership.

[hahnmgh63]

https://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/...ion/80-30244_R
A little more palatable but still expensive at $995

[doggydog2002]

Thanks. I'll have to start trying to find a better deal on a rack it seems.. buyautoparts.com is out of stock at the moment :(

And I've never purchased from salvaged cars, i'll have to look into that.

[yahyah]

just change the module...thats what i did and apart from vagcom no specialty programming is required...no component protection

[doggydog2002]

Was the module only available off used racks? Can I ask where you got one?