1996 A4 Factory alarm Spazzing out! Please help!
10-20-2007, 10:15 AM
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1996 A4 Factory alarm Spazzing out! Please help!
I tried unlocking my car this morning using the remote, the lights blinked but the doors stayed close. I then opened the car using the key and when I was finished I closed the door and then tried using the remote to close it. That worked but I still couldn't get it to open again using the remote. Used key againg and wnated to check the car battery so I popped the hood. Alarm went off!!! closed hood closed doors and tried using key in driver door to shut off alarm... didn't work. Horn stopped but lights were still blinking.. tried putting key in ignition and alarm went off again!!! Please help me with this before my neighbors kill me! Tried cycling key in drivers door and still no luck... Car wont even start. Can someone please help me with this?
10-20-2007, 11:20 AM
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I wonder where that central locking system / alarm computer is on a 96. Sounds like
it may have gotten wet and is giving you the hell mine gave me.
I also wonder if you can somehow bypass it. (I couldn't on my 99)
Mine is located in a pocket behind a panel in the trunk on the rear pass 1/4 panel.
Windows work?
Interior lights work?
How's the weather? Get some rain?
1'st thing I did once I was able to get in my car was un-hook the battery. I then un-hooked the wires to the alarm horn (horn is in the trunk on my 99) in order to keep peace in the neighborhood.
Like you, I was unable to start my car due to the immobilizer function of the alarm... key in / alarm goes off / car won't start.
I did manage to start the car after disconnecting the battery the reconnecting it while the door was open and the key was turned in the ignition... but that didn't last long.
I'd say it's a fried SAP / Alarm computer due to getting wet... and they're expensive... but I think 96's are worlds apart from later year A4s.
I also wonder if you can somehow bypass it. (I couldn't on my 99)
Mine is located in a pocket behind a panel in the trunk on the rear pass 1/4 panel.
Windows work?
Interior lights work?
How's the weather? Get some rain?
1'st thing I did once I was able to get in my car was un-hook the battery. I then un-hooked the wires to the alarm horn (horn is in the trunk on my 99) in order to keep peace in the neighborhood.
Like you, I was unable to start my car due to the immobilizer function of the alarm... key in / alarm goes off / car won't start.
I did manage to start the car after disconnecting the battery the reconnecting it while the door was open and the key was turned in the ignition... but that didn't last long.
I'd say it's a fried SAP / Alarm computer due to getting wet... and they're expensive... but I think 96's are worlds apart from later year A4s.
10-20-2007, 03:35 PM
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Re: I wonder where that central locking system / alarm computer is on a 96. Sounds like
Yes it rained! OMG! WTF?! So how do I get it to start?
Yeah windows and interior lights work just fine.
Do I have to go and replace the alarm computer before getting this car to start?
Yeah windows and interior lights work just fine.
Do I have to go and replace the alarm computer before getting this car to start?
10-20-2007, 04:29 PM
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see, this is where it's tricky with the year difference. My interior lights, windows, sunroof
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/63206/000_6918.jpg"></center><p>alarm, locks, immobilizer are all controlled by the CLP (locking / air pump / alarm computer thing)
If you unhook it (mine has three wire harnesses and 2 tubes for the air locks) nothing will work, car won't start etc. If you leave it hooked up, things will / won't work when they want. This may mean that your alarm will go off randomly, you may start the car one minute and not the next, lights will go on and off, windows will go down on their own and a few other crazy things.
I ended up unhooking one harness, disconnecting then reconnecting the battery and I was able to drive it with no interior lights, locks or window control. I fixed my water leak in the trunk and bought a new (used) CLP a few days later. Which harness? I can't remember... I just started experimenting.
1st thing to do is open your trunk, look behind the right side (pass side) fabric panel and see if it's all wet. If this is where your CLP is, it will be in a pocket and surrounded with foam.
If it's wet, that is most likely your problem... and must be replaced. There are numbers on top that have to match the new part (something like 8LO XXX XXX)
Check it out now, you don't need tools to find it or anything. This may give you a better idea as to if it's there or if it's the culprit.
Do not leave your keys in the car because it may lock on its own or when you least expect.
I had so many crazy things happen when mine went, it was almost unsafe to even drive it. I made sure to unhook the horn (located on the drivers side 1/4 panel in the trunk) so when the alarm was triggered, there would be no noise.
You can try what I suggested: Put key in ignition, turn one click, open hood, disconnect battery, wait a minute, reconnect battery, and try starting it. That worked for me but as soon as I took the key out, it would immobilize again.
If it is wet, FIGURE OUT WHERE your trunk is leaking! It will happen again. This isn't hard to do with a friend, a hose and laying in the trunk area with it closed. Mine leaked around a tail light, the lock/ plate light assembly and rear window.
Again, the CLP is NOT cheap. IIRC for my car / year, it's around 3 or$500 new and $100 used... it isn't hard to replace though.
Pictured is my CLP near its location in the trunk... look for it.
If you unhook it (mine has three wire harnesses and 2 tubes for the air locks) nothing will work, car won't start etc. If you leave it hooked up, things will / won't work when they want. This may mean that your alarm will go off randomly, you may start the car one minute and not the next, lights will go on and off, windows will go down on their own and a few other crazy things.
I ended up unhooking one harness, disconnecting then reconnecting the battery and I was able to drive it with no interior lights, locks or window control. I fixed my water leak in the trunk and bought a new (used) CLP a few days later. Which harness? I can't remember... I just started experimenting.
1st thing to do is open your trunk, look behind the right side (pass side) fabric panel and see if it's all wet. If this is where your CLP is, it will be in a pocket and surrounded with foam.
If it's wet, that is most likely your problem... and must be replaced. There are numbers on top that have to match the new part (something like 8LO XXX XXX)
Check it out now, you don't need tools to find it or anything. This may give you a better idea as to if it's there or if it's the culprit.
Do not leave your keys in the car because it may lock on its own or when you least expect.
I had so many crazy things happen when mine went, it was almost unsafe to even drive it. I made sure to unhook the horn (located on the drivers side 1/4 panel in the trunk) so when the alarm was triggered, there would be no noise.
You can try what I suggested: Put key in ignition, turn one click, open hood, disconnect battery, wait a minute, reconnect battery, and try starting it. That worked for me but as soon as I took the key out, it would immobilize again.
If it is wet, FIGURE OUT WHERE your trunk is leaking! It will happen again. This isn't hard to do with a friend, a hose and laying in the trunk area with it closed. Mine leaked around a tail light, the lock/ plate light assembly and rear window.
Again, the CLP is NOT cheap. IIRC for my car / year, it's around 3 or$500 new and $100 used... it isn't hard to replace though.
Pictured is my CLP near its location in the trunk... look for it.
10-20-2007, 05:13 PM
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Re: see, this is where it's tricky with the year difference. My interior lights, windows, sunroof
Let me just start by saying I really appreciate your help.
Ok so I notice that the alarm stops if I open the trunk with the key. The car even starts after I do that. I can't lock the doors from the driver's side control but can control all windows. I'm going to check the trunk out tomorrow because I need some light. Also, I don't want to sound like a complete loser but can you tell me what exactly is the CLP? Is it Central Locking Pump. Any ideas where I can look and what exactly should I be asking for? I'm really sorry about all the questions I really just want to have my car work again.
Ok so I notice that the alarm stops if I open the trunk with the key. The car even starts after I do that. I can't lock the doors from the driver's side control but can control all windows. I'm going to check the trunk out tomorrow because I need some light. Also, I don't want to sound like a complete loser but can you tell me what exactly is the CLP? Is it Central Locking Pump. Any ideas where I can look and what exactly should I be asking for? I'm really sorry about all the questions I really just want to have my car work again.
10-20-2007, 05:29 PM
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yeah, the CLP is the central locking pump in the trunk (again not sure about yours)
and I am not 100% certain it's the issue. For all we know, you may just have a bad sensor or trigger pin thinger but I think your pump / alarm computer may have gotten wet.
If it is, jot down those part numbers that are on it (8LO........)
Check with local yards or search car-part.com ( year / model / make / select "computer box not engine" / "theft locking" right and left...not sure) for a used one... be sure to call and confirm that the part is the correct one. YOu may be able to search based on distance and find a local yard that you can get it from in person. I am lucky and there is a Audi junk yard near me... L&T in PA. I was also lucky that what I replaced was the issue.
Post back tomorrow if you find anything out. Maybe someone else with a 96, 97 will chime in and confirm if this may be the issue / location / part or not.
If it is, jot down those part numbers that are on it (8LO........)
Check with local yards or search car-part.com ( year / model / make / select "computer box not engine" / "theft locking" right and left...not sure) for a used one... be sure to call and confirm that the part is the correct one. YOu may be able to search based on distance and find a local yard that you can get it from in person. I am lucky and there is a Audi junk yard near me... L&T in PA. I was also lucky that what I replaced was the issue.
Post back tomorrow if you find anything out. Maybe someone else with a 96, 97 will chime in and confirm if this may be the issue / location / part or not.
10-20-2007, 07:07 PM
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Not to thread-jack, but does what years does the CLP control everythink? (2000?)
I've been having many seemingly unrelated (until now) problems: Hazards going off when a door is shut, interior lights never turn off(no the switch isn't in the on pos), and when ever I open the trunk all the windows open. Could this unit be the problem?
Also just because I'm curious, does the remote antenna go to the CLP?
Also just because I'm curious, does the remote antenna go to the CLP?
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10-20-2007, 07:37 PM
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Re: Not to thread-jack, but does what years does the CLP control everythink? (2000?)
From what I've been reading this CLP does control all of the above. There's a tech article detailing how to replace it. I'm currently looking to purchase a used one and hopefully solve my problems. If anyone comes across a used one before I do please let me know.
10-21-2007, 01:20 AM
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I know at least 98's up do. I know under normal circumstances and the way it's set up,
the interior lights are triggered every time you arm / disarm, it has control over the windows because they can be put up / down with the key in the door or via remote with the right coding. The hazards go off when armed or triggered. The Ignition is disabled when armed or triggered and of coarse the locks.. This thing is the brain for the alarm and If anything that is related to your years alarm is activated, (lights, locks, windows, hazards etc) when you arm, disarm, activate it, I assume the CLP has something to do with or access to those features. When electronics get wet, there is no telling what may happen. Everything may stop working all together or they may get all screwy as mine did.
As far as diagnosing it, that may be tricky. I know mine and others here went out because the pump ended up being basically submerged in water due to a leak in the trunk.
other possabilities may be your coding may be wrong somehow(VAG coding for it that controls the features) or there may be a bad sensor. The only thing odd about your situation is the windows / trunk thing. THe rest may just be a bad sensor.
Check to see if that CLP got / is wet.
As far as diagnosing it, that may be tricky. I know mine and others here went out because the pump ended up being basically submerged in water due to a leak in the trunk.
other possabilities may be your coding may be wrong somehow(VAG coding for it that controls the features) or there may be a bad sensor. The only thing odd about your situation is the windows / trunk thing. THe rest may just be a bad sensor.
Check to see if that CLP got / is wet.
10-21-2007, 01:26 AM
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Chiddo, Important: does your passenger side door lock arm and disarm your alarm normally?
If it does, you may just have a bad driver door sensor or something. It may not deactivate or activate the alarm or even recognize if its open or closed from that door. Since your trunk disables the alarm, it's got me wondering...
Either way, make sure that pump isn't wet... and try activating, deactivating the alarm from the pass side key.
Either way, make sure that pump isn't wet... and try activating, deactivating the alarm from the pass side key.