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Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2020 3:42 pm
by Scammo1
Hi, got the above amber warning light pop up on the dash this morning when switching the car on.
Has anyone experienced this before or know more on what it could relate to please?
Car is driving fine with no noises or any sign of a fault. Only 30k miles and hasn’t recently been driving vigourously.
Booked in with Audi in the new year. They said it should be fine to drive normally just don’t use sport drive select.
I fear a big bill but luckily it’s under warranty still.
Any help/advice greatly appreciated!!
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2020 11:36 am
by Rusty Racer
Hard to say without a scan but a low battery seems to be causing issues with other owners atm.
Don’t think there are many problems with the actual diff
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Thu Dec 24, 2020 2:45 pm
by Scammo1
Thanks. Been researching and hope it is just a software issue and simple fix.
Annoying going to have to wait until new year to resolve.
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 4:26 pm
by Scammo1
Thought I’d update this thread with the outcome of the error code I got in case anyone searches in the future.
Basically it turned out to be the rear diff oil sensor sending a sporadical signal to the car. Fix was to change its actuator and replace the rear diff/haldex oil.
Luckily under warranty so no cost, but Audi confirmed it would have been two hours labour plus the part and 2l of oil so I would guess about £600 if someone was paying.
Now I just need to find opportunities to really test the sports diff
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 5:29 pm
by Rusty Racer
Glad you got it fixed! Even better when it’s a freebie
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:45 pm
by JJSscooby
Hi all, just adding to this thread, I get this malfunction when i hit a bump in the road at speed, any ideas?
When the car starts i don't have any error messages?
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:15 pm
by Scammo1
Mine came on once, then didn’t when I switched it on again but did and stayed after that.
Audi said it’s very rare for the malfunction light to actually be caused by the diff itself and is usually due to either an issue with the oil sensor (like mine) or insufficient diff oil- which if ignored could lead to a very expensive diff fault.
I’d recommend getting the ECU read for fault codes at Audi or a specialist as each time this occurred it would have been logged in your ECU. This will tell you exactly what it is.
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2021 3:03 pm
by JJSscooby
ok thanks for the input
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2021 5:31 pm
by Melk63
Hi, resurrecting this thread looking for some help and advice to locate a specialist RS differential garage.
I have had the “Sport Differential malfunction” warning light permanently on my 2014 RS4 dash for a few weeks and have already spent around £1000 with Audi main dealer and an Audi specialist to find the cause. Tests by both have confirmed the diff itself to be mechanically sound, the ECU to function correctly and the two communicating properly. The car drives perfectly with no noticeable diff problems. The problem may the electronics inside the diff. Short of a very expensive new diff, none has come up with a solution.
I am now looking for a third opinion from an RS Diff specialist. Can anyone please recommend one?
One other question: Would the car fail its MOT with this warning light on dash?
Thanks,
Mel.
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2023 10:39 pm
by beastvan
Scammo1 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 15, 2021 9:15 pm
Mine came on once, then didn’t when I switched it on again but did and stayed after that.
Audi said it’s very rare for the malfunction light to actually be caused by the diff itself and is usually due to either an issue with the oil sensor (like mine) or insufficient diff oil- which if ignored could lead to a very expensive diff fault.
I’d recommend getting the ECU read for fault codes at Audi or a specialist as each time this occurred it would have been logged in your ECU. This will tell you exactly what it is.
I am having an issue with my brand new RS6
I am hoping to use your experience to figure out what is going wrong...
viewtopic.php?f=138&t=143864
Re: Dash warning message- sport diff malfunction
Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2023 8:50 am
by Theboyg
Melk63 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 27, 2021 5:31 pm
Hi, resurrecting this thread looking for some help and advice to locate a specialist RS differential garage.
I have had the “Sport Differential malfunction” warning light permanently on my 2014 RS4 dash for a few weeks and have already spent around £1000 with Audi main dealer and an Audi specialist to find the cause. Tests by both have confirmed the diff itself to be mechanically sound, the ECU to function correctly and the two communicating properly. The car drives perfectly with no noticeable diff problems. The problem may the electronics inside the diff. Short of a very expensive new diff, none has come up with a solution.
I am now looking for a third opinion from an RS Diff specialist. Can anyone please recommend one?
One other question: Would the car fail its MOT with this warning light on dash?
Thanks,
Mel.
You may have already looked at this, but this was the first message I had one mine, it was intermittent at first and then turned into other messages (TPMS etc.) which when I researched it I thought it might be battery related as someone else mentioned earlier in the thread. I replaced the battery, but it wasn’t that, turned out it was an intermittent fault on a rear wheel speed sensor, had it replaced and all OK, thread here -
viewtopic.php?f=61&t=143642&sid=779baaf ... b609831e8d
