bg_2007Q7

So yesterday while driving home, I received an error message and my side assist no longer works.


I looked around online, and there is supposed to be 2 sensors units in the rear.

Questions:

Will vcds identify the bad sensor(s)? If one or two sensors are bad, does replacement require removal of the entire rear bumper?

'10Q7TDI_Prestige'

Let's not get twisting in the wind here; scan the car with the VAGCOM and see what populates. It should identify whether there is a sensor fault or a control unit fault, or something else nefarious, etc., and then you will have a basis to troubleshoot further.

Not sure if you will need to, but if you do need to remove the bumper cover, it's pretty simple...just a bunch of screws holding things together under the bottom and in wheel wells, supplemented by a clips on each side...don't break the clips off. There are a couple small bolts in interior of the cargo area, and those are the real PITA to get off/on again as it is deeply recessed and you don't wanna drop the nuts inside the body panel (electrical tape in/around socket worked great for me to grab during takeoff and hold during reinstallation so they don't drop)

bg_2007Q7

Thanks for the response, I'm going to scan Sunday. Just worried about body work. Haven't had much luck in the past with realignment of panels and something that large scares me for some reason 😳

'10Q7TDI_Prestige'

It's pretty difficult to screw up unless you break the alignment/retention tabs on the sides of car/wheel arch areas, etc. Where people make mistakes is they take the screws out, and maybe even the four locating/retaining bolts inside the car, then just start yanking on the rear fascia and trying to peel it off the car. As mentioned, there are clips on both sides that locate the piece correctly and ensure a proper fit/gaps, etc. And when putting it back together, those locating bolts that enter the cargo bay must be done first, then you work your way around the sides and hitting the locating clips at each back corner, then the final locating clips on edge of wheel wells, then all the screws go back in...don't forget those four locating bolts/nuts, which is really what keeps the rear fascia snugged up tightly. Don't drop your nuts.

bg_2007Q7

Thanks, 😆

-Wes-

Those four bolts in the rear hatch area are an incredible PITA. Get a deep well socket; magnetic is useful here, too. Also, there are two clips that attach at the wheel well area that are a nightmare to separate (one on each side). Honestly, I never figured it out... I just yanked real hard and let the parts crumble where they would. That was six years ago now, and I've never missed those clips (except when I've taken the shell off again... and I missed them in a good way!).

Also, I've had a few errors with the blind spot assist... is that the same thing as yours, maybe an earlier version? It is always a result of just too much buildup on the outside of the car, such as snow, ice, mud, dirt, whatever. Once I'm tired of the error, I just wash the car and the issue goes away. Not that this is your problem, given how pristine you keep it!

bg_2007Q7

Lol, I probably do wash it too much. That's why I have to get the rear spoiler repainted next year...

Edzzed

I was under the impression side assist is only on 2011 and newer. My 2010 does not have it unless I am missing something.

bg_2007Q7

Nope I have it, just lights on the inside of the side mirrors, no sound warning...

'10Q7TDI_Prestige'

Side assist/blind-spot warning has adjustable warning lamp intensity for mirror housing/light output in MMI, whereas the parking assist feature has a sound/warning tone independent adjustment for front and rear sensors, as well as volume levels for both (and radio/infotainment system override/muting control) that is adjustable via MMI. Normally you also have a visual indicator lighting up in stages along with the warning tones for the parking assist, unless a sensor has been damaged, which can cause the visual to stop displaying the distance indicators or otherwise impact the MMI display for park assist feature.

If you park next to fixed objects, like a fence or garage wall, etc., and go into the control module for park assist and look at the sensor distance data outputs with VCDS, you can generally tell which sensor is the bad one, as it won't jive with the rest, etc. We've got a wonky sensor on front of the '15 where looks like an exceptionally huge Louisiana bug impacted it before we left that state; got a nice collection of bug carcasses inside the grill area too...the kind that hit your windshield and explode like a pint of yellow paint.