andymackie Posted April 8, 2010 Report Share Posted April 8, 2010 Hi Guys, I have an A8 2003 4.2 and have been having battery problems recently - I bought a new battery as I kept getting the energy management warning, but it seems to be draining whenever it gets cold (had the battery tested and the alternator, but they couldn't find a problem). Anyway, more of a problem now is I can't get into the car. The drivers door key doesn't open any of the doors as obviously neither does the keyfob. So I used the boot lock and set off the alarm when opening the boot (although it does stop when the boot is then closed). Having manually re-charged the battery (which in the past has resolved the problem), the alarm goes off as soon as I re-connect the battery and the central locking seems to not be working at all as there is no light flashing on the drivers door as there normally is. I have managed to get my head through the back seat arm rest section but can't physically get into the car! The keyfob seems to be working as the little green light flashes when I press it. Any ideas??? Does the alarm need to be re-set? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloss Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 Your key will open the driver's door. You need to pull the flap up to reveal the lock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andymackie Posted April 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 Thanks - But no, it doesn't - have tried this numerous times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbutler Posted April 9, 2010 Report Share Posted April 9, 2010 I had the same problem, except that I could open the drivers door with the key, alarm goes off until you stick the key in the ignition and turn it on. I too had a brand new battery, but although I thought recoding the car to have the same but new battery would do, the car thought the battery was the old one. It interpreted its fully charged state as a duff battery not taking charge and shut things down progressively. I recoded the battery by changing digits in the serial number with VAG-COM the car then decided it had a new battery and hasn't switched anything off overnight since. Doesn't help you with getting in though. What happens when you lift the drivers door handle, stick your key into the lock barrel hidden under there and turn it? Even when my battery actually was properly dead I could get in. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andymackie Posted April 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 Thanks Jim, when I turn the key I hear a mechanism sound and the indicators flash BUT the door doesn't unlock! (tried turning it right, left, once, twice quickly - you name it I've tried it!). Didn't know about recoding the car to recognise a new battery - how do I do that? Regards getting into the car I'm having one last go today before calling out an auto electrician by getting my nephew (small and thin) to crawl into the boot and through the compartment on the back seat - hopefully he can then try and open it from the inside!!! Thanks for your help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andymackie Posted April 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 Jim - just read your thread about re-coding the battery - wish I'd known this earlier as an auto electrician charged me £70 to test alternator and battery only to tell me there was nothing wrong with them!! Presume if I take the car to an Audi dealer they will do this and proabably charge me an extortionate fee!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PsYcHe Posted April 10, 2010 Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 Where are you located? Might be a nearby member with VAG-COM that could help (assuming you can get in the car). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andymackie Posted April 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 Hi, good news - my nephew crawled through the rear arm rest space and managed to turn on the engine and stop the alarm - after a brief drive battery is fully charged and central locking now working fine! I'm on the Wirral (near Liverpool) if anyone is local and knows how to code in the battery, let me know. Thanks for all your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sloss Posted April 10, 2010 Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 Thanks - But no, it doesn't - have tried this numerous times. I'd want that fixed as the key should do this mechanically - sounds like summat is disconnected. Glad you are in though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbutler Posted April 10, 2010 Report Share Posted April 10, 2010 I am near Manchester airport if you want to nip over sometime and I'll adjust a digit in your battery serial number. The other thing I did was stick a solar trickle charger on the rear shelf, with the wire running through to the 12v socket in the boot. That might stop your car thinking it is flat again until you can get the battery coding done. The power management unit is aware of the power coming in that way, if you charge the battery the normal way it isn't aware of it and thinks it is going flat when it won't take charge. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rompario Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 Hi Jim I have bought Andy Mackie's car and would be grateful for your help with the problem it has re the battery. You kindly offered to help Andy and I would appreciate it if you could help me. I also live right near Manchester airport and therefore I can bring the car to you anytime. I will PM you... Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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