Audi AdBlue Countdown Timer Issue
Diesel has been fuelling vehicles for decades. It has helped cars become more fuel-efficient and has paved the way for new technological advancements in engine design. Car brands in recent decades have preferred selling diesel vehicles due to the rise in market demand.
Car owners are attracted to buying diesel-fuelled vehicles because of their greater efficiency than petrol. They also offer excellent reliability and are dependable when you need them most.
Out of the many reputable brands that have seen the potential in diesel vehicles, Audi was one of the first. They began using a diesel-powered engine in one of their premium executive vehicles, the Audi A6. This ultimately paid off as over time, Audi made it possible to block the engine sounds from entering the cabin. The overall driving comfort and experience, paired with its incredible reliability put Audi on the map as a leader in this technology. However, diesel cars are known for emission issues.
Despite the introduction of AdBlue more than 10 years ago, its ultimate aim being to reduce the emissions of diesel engines, they were still not environmentally friendly enough for the future of our planet. This is why the ban on new diesel vehicles will be introduced in 2035.
Before this happens, many of us continue to drive diesel vehicles and need to know the vital info to keep them running well. When a diesel vehicle is in good condition and running smoothly, it will produce less harmful emissions.
Our client came to us with an emissions problem related to AdBlue in their 2016 Audi A6. They came to our workshop at South Coast Garage and explained the problem to us. They complained about how the countdown timer for the AdBlue system was affecting their vehicle.
We handed the responsibility over to our lead technician who knew all about diesel vehicle problems. They listened to our customer explain their issue which helped narrow it down.
Audi AdBlue Countdown Timer Discovery
The repair would be a lot easier to do if our technician could see the problem first-hand. So our technician inspected the vehicle to see the main problems related to emissions. During the inspection, he found an interesting discovery that would help pinpoint the issue.
The dashboard was displaying an AdBlue warning light, and even when the AdBlue system was refilled, the countdown did not reset. This meant the Engine Management System (EMS) and the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems were faulty.
Our client came to us after already visiting the main dealer. The dealer wrongly diagnosed an issue relating to another system and performed a software update in an attempt to fix the AdBlue problem but was not successful. The problem was not fixed, and the customer was still charged for the work – not an ideal situation.
An online search for Audi specialists in the local area revealed South Coast Garage. Looking at our reviews and blog posts, they soon discovered we were the right workshop for their needs.
Our expert Audi mechanic, drawing from years of experience and knowledge dealing with AdBlue issues, was instrumental in resolving the A6 problem. He was confident that, aside from the two major systems, there were no other issues with the vehicle.
To ensure complete accuracy, our Audi specialist carried out the thorough 15-step diagnostic procedure – a standard practice at South Coast Garage. Our team of technicians utilises this in-depth diagnosis method to address problems with greater speed and effectiveness.
Diagnostics Process
We began immediately with our 15-step diagnostics process to get to the root cause of the problem.
First, our technician drove the A6 to ensure that it was functioning properly. We often need to test drive vehicles to better understand the problem. As our Audi specialist drove the car, he was hoping to reveal the fault. The fault appeared soon after taking it for a test drive, meaning our technician was able to confirm suspicions they had about the fault.
A vehicle scan showed several fault codes. We use the Audi-recommended ODIS tool to reveal a few SCR system issues. The technician knew that the only way to solve the AdBlue warning light was to deep dive into the SCR system and look for any unusual activity.
We wanted to check a few more things before going any further. Our technician performed live data checks to ensure the signals that were processed through the system were normal. However, this check proved something was not right and our technician needed to look at the history of the vehicle and work that other garages had performed.
This search revealed nothing, but our technician was still determined to get to the root cause and switched their focus.
The fluid levels were checked for the AdBlue system, and it confirmed that the fluid was present and of high quality. AdBlue can come in varying quality and sometimes poor-quality fluid can lead to internal damage to components. However, this was not the case for our customer’s car. The recommended AdBlue fluid had been used.
Our technician was still trying to figure out what was wrong. The fluid and software were both fine, and we knew that it wasn’t a common issue among Audi A6 vehicles.
Was there an issue with the hardware perhaps?
The technician was left with no choice but to inspect the components closely. During the inspection, the technician found something. The AdBlue pump wasn’t providing a suitable amount of pressure to send the AdBlue into the engine. We have found the issue!
Now the issue was diagnosed, our team moved on to the next step – fixing the issue.
Solving the Problem
Our technician tested and retested the AdBlue pump, but soon found it was not producing enough pressure. The only way to solve this was to replace the pump with a new component.
This is exactly what we did. The technician removed the old pump and installed a new one. Then the AdBlue was refilled, and the pump was tested. This fixed the issue as the new pump was providing the right amount of pressure needed.
Once we re-scanned the A6 to check for any further error codes, the scan revealed no problems with the AdBlue system. The previous fault codes were cleared, and this meant our customer could pick up their fully working Audi A6.
Summary
Our skilled Audi technician dedicated his efforts to resolving the issue in our customer’s 2016 Audi A6. Despite several obstacles, the unwavering confidence in his skill, training, and experience remained intact.
That’s what you can expect at South Coast Garage: an effective solution and excellent value. Our technicians are well-trained in diagnosing issues, and their work reflects this. The 15-step method used by all our specialists at South Coast Garage helps us identify the problem, its root cause, and its solution.
We assure you that you get an accurate diagnosis every time, ensuring the best value for your money.
If you have been searching for a solution like this, it’s time to visit South Coast Garage. Share your car problems with us, and we will ensure you leave our garage as a satisfied customer.
Call us to book an appointment.
