In a bit of a quandary with my B7 RS4 - EPC issue.

[borry]

I am a new B7 RS4 owner and to be honest I am having a bit of a dilemma, I will try and explain my issue and would appreciate some advice.

The car has been having issues with going into limp mode, I switch the car off and on again and it seems to be running fine then (a lot like whenever you have a problem with Microsoft Windows ). So I take it in to an independent and they tell me that it is a throttle body issue, so they reset the throttle body and clear the code. The second time it happened they took it off and gave it a really good clean and informed me that it looks fine (which was a relief as they are £1300.) And the third time this happened within 2 months (just the other day) it went into limp mode again, but this time when I restarted the car it feels like it has got a load more poke, it's actually bloody brilliant. The EPC light is on constantly though.

Now the local independent has said to me what the problem might be is that it has had a remap previously and that is somehow causing a conflict, and the best thing to do is to take it to the Audi main dealer and get them to reset the car to how it was when it left the factory. The problem is I have spoken to Audi Cheltenham (who I have it booked in with in 2 weeks time) and they say that they might not be able to do that. I must admit that I am baffled by this, surely if anyone can reset the car it will be an official Audi dealer right?? They say if it was a B8 that wouldn't be a problem at all but not the B7???

Anyway I am left in a bit of an odd position, if I take the car in and they cannot reset it to factory condition they will just clear the codes out and it may go back to how it was before (i.e sluggish.) Or do I just say f**k it and keep it as it is with the EPC light on as it currently goes like a damn rocket. It feels to me that the throttle body is actually spot-on at the moment.

[FaisalJ]

Hi mate sorry to hear of your issues.

So, an essential bit of kit with one of these cars is a VCDS cable, so you can read the error codes...about £250ish from memory. If you post up the error codes on here, someone should be able to point you in the right direction. We're fortunate to have lots of RS geeks on here that know all the engine issues and symptoms very well!

Whereabouts are you based? Someone on here may be able to recommend a local RS specialist to try, sounds like you're indy might be a bit lost.

Hope you get it sorted.

[borry]

Hi mate sorry to hear of your issues.

So, an essential bit of kit with one of these cars is a VCDS cable, so you can read the error codes...about £250ish from memory. If you post up the error codes on here, someone should be able to point you in the right direction. We're fortunate to have lots of RS geeks on here that know all the engine issues and symptoms very well!

Whereabouts are you based? Someone on here may be able to recommend a local RS specialist to try, sounds like you're indy might be a bit lost.

Hope you get it sorted.

Hi there buddy, many thanks for the reply.

I am based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and yes I think the indy is a bit lost, so too the main dealer!

Seems to me to clear most issues you just turn the engine off and on again!

My main worry with leaving it as it is (with the EPC light on) it may develop further issues, even though it is running as sweet as a nut with the EPC light on.

Will wait out like you suggested and see if someone can suggest an RS specialist in my area.

[The_Coat]

MRC looks to be around 45 miles away from you, that's where I would be taking the car.

[FaisalJ]

MRC looks to be around 45 miles away from you, that's where I would be taking the car.

+1

[R1RS4]

Hi there,

With the VCD's you will also be able to see who mapped your car and also do a TBA (throttle body alignment) yourself

No you do not want to keep the light on, it needs resetting and investigating

There are to many could Be's to start suggesting what might have brought the light on,

I see your taking it to Audi Cheltenham so that the area you live....as FaisalJ says you need the VCD,s its apart of the RS4 B7 owners must have kit...even if you cannot use it....it sounds goooood

[JCviggen]

Throttle body issues most often go back to problems with the potentiometers inside. The 2 of them need to agree, if they don't you get limp mode and issues. I had severe limp mode issues until I swapped out my faulty TB.

But they aren't anywhere near 1300 quid if you know where to look. The very same part (made by Pierburg) was used on some big GM V8s and is a lot cheaper. They even exist remanufactured for like 300 USD. The ECU map is a red herring.

[borry]

Thanks for all the great replies guys!

About the TB, I think I read that somewhere too, a fraction of the price of the Audi one.

I'll get one of these VCD's ASAP and post up any error codes.

I love the car and want to get it sorted out as it is going to be a keeper at least for the next 3 years.

I still can't understand how Audi cannot reset it to factory settings though. :-/

[PetrolDave]

I still can't understand how Audi cannot reset it to factory settings though. :-/

You'll soon learn that the majority of Audi dealers are incompetent... and talk out of somewhere that the sun doesn't shine

[R1RS4]

As far as I know Audi will not remove any map because it not OEM, so it's a no no for them for fear of the "unknown" happening to your vehicle

IE they won't know what's been modified in association with the mapping- understandable really

Of coarse they will still carry out work on your vehicle , in actual fact Audi quite like it as they can charge you bucket loads on the intermittent faults blaming it on the mods and remapping

[Covkiller]

I had exactly the same problem. I have an MRC Doug special map too.
I changed the throttle body for a brand new one, problem gone and never returned. And yes £1300 later, ouch, but problem fixed.

[Briggy]

Who is your indie in Cheltenham? I've used Challenge Motor Company for most of my VW/Audi cars for years. They're very good. Cheltenham Audi have a very bad reputation, but I can't comment if that's deserved as I've never used them.

By the way, I live in Tewkesbury and work in Cheltenham, so hope to see you around. I'll be a a black breadvan.

Hope you get it sorted.

Cheers,
Bryan

[borry]

Many thanks again for all the replies guys.

Haha @ PetrolDave I'm learning fast!! I had an M3 before and the local BMW dealer were great. Having said that I only ever had 1 issue during my 2 1/2 years of ownership of the M.

@ R1RS4 that makes sense about them not wanting to do it to OEM. I didn't consider that but it does make sense.

@ Covkiller an earlier reply by JCviggen stated that you can get one for an American car that is the exact same throttle body for a fraction of the Audi price, I'm currently looking more into this.

@ Briggy my indy is called PSC Autocenter they have been fantastic so far as I have had quite a few issues with the car, they also fitted my Milltek for me for a very reasonable price. They have a Polish guy working there who is very good with Audi's. I'll keep an eye out for you fella I pop over to Tewkesbury and Ashchurch quite often with my work, I'm also on or around Tewkesbury Road a lot.

[R1RS4]

Who is your indie in Cheltenham? I've used Challenge Motor Company for most of my VW/Audi cars for years. They're very good. Cheltenham Audi have a very bad reputation, but I can't comment if that's deserved as I've never used them.

By the way, I live in Tewkesbury and work in Cheltenham, so hope to see you around. I'll be a a black breadvan.

Hope you get it sorted.

Cheers,
Bryan

I see you have the the fastest colour and shape mate lol

[borry]

I see you have the the fastest colour and shape mate lol

Absolutely!