BoxcuTTer

Hi, all.

My 2002 A4 3.0 has developed a new electronic issue that has me stumped. The automatic door lock (from the key fob) and the courtesy lights (red and white lights on the bottom and side of the door when it is ajar) have stopped working on the driver's door.

It's only the driver's door and its only those items. For instance, the rest of the electronics work fine. The inside lights on that door, door locks, window controls, trunk latch, security buttons, side mirror control, security light, stereo speakers all work fine.

Also, if I physically use the key in the door lock everything works as intended, allowing me to lock/unlock all 4 doors.

Fuses are good. I looked at the rubber boot between the door and the A pillar and it looks secure too. I'm not looking forward to ripping the door panel off to find out. Anyone have any ideas what might be causing this?

lyleswk

Likely the harness that goes through the door jamb. Wires break individually and seemingly random. Mine started with the door locks and eventually shorted and "melted" my mirror becuase a a "permanently on" side mirror heater.

BoxcuTTer

Thanks for reply. Looks like my mirrors don't fold in any more either. Is this an easy "plug and play" replacement of the wiring or does it involve pulling out the door panel and soldering individual wires? Is there a TSB or a diagram? Any idea what the part number is?

Thanks!

lyleswk

No soldering but you do have to remove the door panel. Here is the part I bought.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B6_A4-.../Door_Harness/

BoxcuTTer

Do you know what the difference is between the two parts listed?

VIN 8E-4-000001 (part no. 8E1971029N)

VIN 8E-3-500000 (part no. 8E1971029C) says it is not for cars with "telematics". I assume this is me as I don't have OEM nav or car phone? Will either part work?



Thanks!

lyleswk

Not sure. I would give ECS a call and ask them.

BoxcuTTer

I peeled back the rubber sleeve and found that, indeed, 7 wires were cracked and one was completely severed. By the time I got around to taking a look at this, the lock button did not work, the courtesy lights did not work, the tweeter was clicking in and out, and the mirrors no longer folded up.

Money is a bit tight at the moment, so I went with a repair rather than replace and I'll see how long it lasts.

I had to cut the rubber boot to gain access to the wires. I cut 6 of the wires, stripped them and reclamped them. Some that only had slight cracking on the outside got electrical tape. When it came time to put the boot back on, I slipped it on over the wires, connected it to the plastic ends and sealed up the boot with some silicone caulking. I cut on the bottom side of the and you cannot see it unless you're under the car.

The takeaway is that the door jamb has plenty of clearance to close with the wire connectors as pictured. Whether this is a permanent fix or a short term solve is to be determined.