How to Solve an Inoperative 4WD System in Audi TT
The Audi TT was one of the first vehicles to enter the sportscar category representing the four-ring German brand. The first model was introduced with a bang in 1998, and it didn’t take long after that for the sports coupe to win the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide.
The compact two-door coupe was extremely lightweight and easy to handle. But the cherry on top was the impressive engines on offer. Buyers could choose between the 1.8L turbocharged model or the 2.4L V6. Both produce enough horsepower and torque to put most supercar engines to shame.
Naturally, the bigger engine of the two garnered more praise and appreciation from sportscar fans across the world. The trickle-down effects of such high acclaim led the car to be featured in the famous Need For Speed games of the early 2000s.
The Audi TT was just too good for its time, and therefore, it enjoyed an enviable status among its peers. As a result, the German marque introduced a second model and then another one on top of that to mark the third generation.
However, nothing is immune from faults. The Audi TT is no exception.
One of our clients experienced this firsthand with his 2010 Audi TT. Mr E could not operate the 4wd function on his car even after repeated tries. No matter how much he pressed the throttle, the car would only accelerate using two wheels. He could feel a massive difference in the car’s drive.
Therefore, the client decided to visit the nearest Audi dealer and allowed them to inspect his vehicle. The technician working at the dealer diagnosed a problem with the Haldex pump. He deduced that the fluid wasn’t being pushed into the Haldex system, failing the system.
Usually, this happens when there are sediments inside the pump, blocking the flow of oil. When the pump can’t push the oil to its location, it heats up and malfunctions.
So, the natural way out was to replace the faulty part, but that is where Mr E experienced a twist. The dealer explained that the Haldex pump cannot be ordered through the manufacturer’s dealer catalogue as it is not meant to malfunction. It is meant to be fit for life!
The only option available to Mr E was to buy the part with his own money and change the oil in the system. The dealer provided excellent advice but missed the part about cleaning the system first. If Mr E had approved the repair the pump would have failed eventually, and he would have had the same problem again.
Luckily, he came to Fergies at the right moment, and our lead Audi technician, Jason Aldridge, took the car under his wing. We are German vehicle specialists and therefore the go-to Audi garage for Thatcham, Newbury, Reading and surrounding areas.
Faults Found
Our Audi specialist had acquired all the knowledge about the previous diagnosis from the client. Mr E outlined everything he learned about the Audi TT from the dealership, and Jason simply listened.
He understood the problem and devised a plan to tackle the repair. However, he had to ensure the client or the dealership hadn’t missed anything. So, our Audi specialist tested the TT and found that the 4wd function was indeed inoperative.
But just for the sake of covering all his bases, Jason initiated the 15-step diagnostic procedure.
Diagnostic Procedure
The in-depth diagnostic process is used by all the technicians working at Fergies. That’s because the procedure allows our specialists to find the root cause of the problem and apply a solution on time. On top of that, the 15 steps ensure we don’t miss a thing during the diagnosis. No issue goes unnoticed, and our technicians hit the spot every time!
Jason did the same, as he started with the fault code scan. The following codes turned up on the scan:
- 00448 – Haldex Clutch Pump
- (V181) 011 – Open Circuit Defective
The fault codes revealed the full picture for our technician, and he was able to understand the issues affecting the Audi TT. The pump was indeed at fault, but along with that a defective circuit code also popped up, for good measure.
Now Jason had to find out the source of this new problem along with the old one.
Luckily, the circuit issue turned out to be related to the pump itself. Since the pump had burned-out due to excess pressure, the circuit attached to the pump had also failed. This was sending signalling to the control unit about a possible failure.
Our Audi specialist was relieved to see no other wiring had been damaged. As a result, he could move forward with the pump replacement.
Solving The Problem
As an independent Audi garage, Fergies has a source for ordering the correct filters for the Haldex system. Our technician used that to order the pump and filters for the Audi TT.
Jason removed the old pump and found dirt everywhere inside. He cleaned the housings, the fittings and all connections going in and out of the pump. Thereafter, our specialist attached the new pump, filled it up with the relevant oil, and fine-tuned it to the manufacturer’s specifications.
All that was left now was to test the system, and that is what Jason did with the Haldex pump on the Audi TT. He tested the pump, and it was working perfectly. Next, he rescanned the car for codes, and nothing new came up on the screen.
So, Jason cleared the codes and called Mr E to pick up his vehicle from Fergies.
Summary
One of our clients faced an interesting situation with his 2010 Audi TT. The 4wd function wasn’t working on his car, so he took the vehicle to the Audi dealer. The guys working there diagnosed the problem, but they could not perform the repair.
Interestingly, the part that had malfunctioned, could not be bought through the manufacturer’s dealer catalogue. That’s because the company rated it as ‘fit for life’.
Mr E was confused, and in that confusion, he brought his car over to Fergies – Thatcham’s leading Audi garage. Our technician listened to all the complaints from the client and created a test plan for the repair. Jason, our Audi specialist, inspected the pump and found it to be faulty. He also saw dirt in the housing and fittings, which he had to clean.
After cleaning the system, Jason installed the new pump and put it through a stress test. Luckily, everything worked fine, allowing our technician to wrap up the repair.
Our Audi technician used the 15-step diagnostic procedure to guide him through the repair. Not only that, but the process allowed Jason to save time.
Mr E left our garage a very satisfied customer. If you are looking for an Audi garage and want to feel the same way as Mr E with your vehicle repairs, then come on over to Fergies, where you get great value for money, the best Audi specialists and exemplary service. We guarantee that, at our garage, you will get the correct diagnosis every time!
Want to learn more about our services?
Feel free to contact us at 01635 903270 to talk to one of our friendly experts.
